His mother took a sip of her tea, and he stood, pacing back and forth. “She had very few options.”
Thomas stopped and glared at his mother. “She had the option to let me raise my child.”
His mother sighed. “With what money? The two of you ran off but, at the time, had nothing.”
He closed his eyes, hating that his mother was justifying Lisbeth’s awful choice. “Have you met her?”
His mother bit her lip as if trying to formulate her words. It was like someone had taken a knife and stabbed it into his chest. Had Thomas known he had a child, he would have returned to London immediately. He would have insisted that Lisbeth marry him. Finally, she said, “I’ve spent time with Alice since she was three years old. I ran into them out and about. I knew immediately.”
Thomas shook his head, the anger hissing and snapping within him. His mother rose and walked to him. “This is an opportunity to start anew. You have both always loved each other.”
He looked at her incredulously. Whatever he felt for the lying duchess was gone. It had shriveled up and died the moment he saw his child. Thomas stepped away from his mother. “I have no desire to start fresh with her. She will abide by my choices regarding our child. That is her only option.”
His mother frowned at him. “Thomas, do not let hurt and anger destroy the potential of the life you’ve always wanted.”
He scoffed. “I’ve lived a spectacular life.”
“You have loved Lisbeth since I started working at the Earl of Adnin’s townhouse. The moment you saw her as a six-year-old boy, and she was five.”
Thomas refused to allow her words to dull his anger. “That was a long time ago, Mother. We are both very different people.”
She frowned. “What do you mean to do?”
He didn’t answer. “I have to leave.”
She grasped his arm. “Thomas, I’m sorry, but you have to understand there was no other choice.”
“Yes, because she wanted to be a duchess.”
His mother shook her head. “You know it isn’t that simple.”
“I have to leave. I can’t believe you have known this whole time.” He shook her hand off.
Thomas stalked out of the townhouse. It hurt that his mother kept Lisbeth’s secret from him. He couldn’t believe he had a daughter. Lisbeth wouldn’t get away with this. No, he alone would determine what would happen next, and she would have to go along with his plans.
Any warmth he felt for his ex-love vanished. She’d betrayed him in a way that was unforgivable. Pain pierced his heart as he thought of his mother’s role in the entire sordid fiasco. Hopefully, over time, they could mend their relationship.
Chapter Sixteen
March 1851
Lisbeth stepped intothe hotel, nervous. Thomas had sent her a missive requesting her presence. She glanced at the letter clutched in her hand. Lisbeth wasn’t sure why she was holding it. Somehow, it helped ease her nerves.
She found it peculiar that he hadn’t called on her but had instead asked her to come to his room. It felt salacious, but perhaps Lisbeth was paranoid. Discreetly, she took the stairs to the second floor of the Delmont Hotel. It was one of the most lavish establishments in all of London. Lisbeth was shocked that Thomas had managed to obtain a room. It was often rumored to be fully booked.
She reached the door with twenty-six scrawled in gold across the front. Quietly, Lisbeth knocked, feeling fortunate that no one was in the hallway. A bit of annoyance flared in her that Thomas was putting her in this position. She was well-known, and if anyone spotted her here, gossip would explode in the newspapers.
The door opened, and he stood there in only his shirt and trousers. She found herself blushing at his casual state. He smiled sardonically. “Duchess, you’ve received my missive.”
Her gaze jerked to his eyes, perplexed by the new nickname he’d given her. She forced a smile on her face. Lisbeth remindedherself that it was good that she was here. She would tell him the truth. Thomas stepped aside, allowing her entry.
She walked in and examined the room. It was a beautifully designed sitting area. She glanced at two doors and suspected that one was his sleeping area and the other was a bathing room. When this hotel opened, a key marketing point was that all rooms on the second and third floors featured private bathing spaces.
Nerves fluttered in Lisbeth’s stomach, but she forced herself to smile. “This is beautiful lodging. I can’t believe you secured a room.”
He strode to a side table and poured them both wine. “Apparently, the owner wanted to be able to say the famous explorer Thomas Easton was staying here.”
She frowned at his words. From their time in Syria, he’d never struck her as a braggart. Thomas motioned for her to sit on the sofa. She did, and he joined her, his leg pressed up against hers. She frowned as he handed her one of the glasses of wine.
