Simon’s mouth tightened. “I’ve been at every damn tavern in Mayfair for the past two hours. If something were wrong, you’d have dragged me out of a card room or a tavern. The fact that you came here instead… that doesn’t bode well.”
Edward crossed the room in three long strides. “There is indeed something wrong, and youwillcome with me.”
Simon’s jaw clenched. After a beat, he set the tumbler down, rose, and reached for his coat. “You’re frighteningly good at ruining an evening,” he muttered.
“Good,” Edward said, turning back toward the door. “You deserve it.”
They walked in silence for a moment before Simon finally asked, “Where are we going?”
“To my house.”
Simon frowned. “Why?”
Edward didn’t slow down. “Because the consequences of your actions arrived at my front door.”
Simon stopped walking.
Edward didn’t. “Keep moving.”
“Edward… what consequences?”
Edward’s voice came out hard, clipped. “A child, Simon.”
Simon froze. The night seemed to go still around them. “You mean it is truly... mine?”
Edward turned to face him fully. “Yes.”
A gust of wind rattled the branches overhead.
Simon’s breath left him in one long exhale, his face paling. “But I’ve been asking. You told me to. I’ve spoken to—I didn’t think…” His voice cracked. “Are you saying it’s certain now?”
Edward’s expression didn’t soften. “You’re the only man involved.”
Simon ran a hand through his hair, his fingers trembling. “Good God, I didn’t think it was real.”
Edward’s lips pressed together. “It is no longer speculation. Lady Amelia Kensley is at my house.”
Simon looked like a man whose worst fear had just been confirmed. “God. And the child…?”
Edward held his gaze. “She is yours, Simon.”
Simon blinked quickly. “I thought—I hoped—I prayed that none of them…” He pressed the heel of his hand to his forehead. “I didn’t think it would be real. I thought you were warning me—trying to frighten some sense into me.”
Edward’s voice was low, controlled. “I was. And you should have taken it seriously.”
Simon swallowed, his throat bobbing. “So it’s Amelia? I-I didn’t know. I swear it. She vanished, Edward. Her parents—I thought she had simply… left.”
“And you didn’t look for her,” Edward said sharply. “Not hard enough.”
Simon winced, guilt contorting his features.
Edward let out a slow breath. “Her parents sent her away. She was pregnant with your child. And now she is in my nursery, holding the infant she was forced to give up.”
Simon closed his eyes briefly, devastated. “Dear God… what have I done?”
Edward resumed walking. Simon followed, shaken into silence
When they reached the townhouse, the butler stepped aside wordlessly, recognizing the tension rolling off both men.
