His eyes narrowed. “I was whispering.”
“That was not whispering.”
“It was—it was barely speech!”
“Barely speech that could echo down the square,” she countered.
They froze as the baby’s tiny mouth turned down in warning, like soldiers facing cannon fire.
“And now look what you’ve done,” Edward hissed.
“WhatIhave done?” Beatrice whispered furiously. “You’re the one arguing!”
“You raised your voice first!”
“I did not—hush!”
They hovered over the cradle, united in terror, glaring at each other in absolute silence.
For one absurd, suspended moment, not even the baby dared to breathe. Then she let out a soft sigh and melted further into sleep.
Beatrice exhaled, only realizing then how close Edward stood, his shoulder nearly brushing hers, his warmth too near.
She looked away quickly. The nursery suddenly felt too small.
Edward lingered, watching the baby a moment longer before stepping back, and she could not decide whether relief or disappointment hit harder.
Mrs. Hart excused herself at last, leaving them alone.
Beatrice eased the door mostly shut, careful not to make a sound. The hallway outside was cooler, quieter, and far too aware of the man standing beside her.
Edward drew in a breath, his shoulders squaring as though he was preparing himself for battle.
“I meant what I said,” he began. “I will find whoever abandoned her. And I will find who thought it clever to drag my family into this mess.”
His voice was low, controlled, but under it simmered humiliation and something sharper. Fear, perhaps.
Beatrice folded her hands before her, trying to still the strange flutter beneath her ribs. “You believe someone deliberately caused the scandal?”
“Someone always does.” He looked away, a muscle ticking in his jaw. “I will not have our lives turned into fodder for gossip.”
Our.He had saidour.
The word struck something tender in her chest, though she knew better than to indulge it.
“And if you can’t find them?” she asked softly.
He turned back to her, his green eyes shining with steely determination. “I will find them,” he assured her. “Whoever is behind this will regret choosing my house as their playground.”
Beatrice let the promise sink in, the steadiness she had not expected from a man with such a reputation for recklessness.
But then his expression shifted just slightly, and he looked almost uncertain.
“And until then?” she asked, as though dreading his answer.
He drew a breath, his spine straightening. “Until then, the child stays with us. Here. Under our protection.”
Beatrice gave a single nod. “Then we keep her safe,” she said firmly. “She deserves to be safe, no matter her origins. No matter the motive.”
