Aunt Hester’s shocked gasp came from the doorway. “Alicia, is it true?”
The room tilted yet again.
She couldn’t be with child. Any child she bore within a year of Octavius’s death would be considered his. A miraculous heir was certainly not a part of the Admiralty’s plan.
As for the child’s real father? She’d promised him three nights. A bastard had never been part of the bargain.
Ever since the doctor’s visit, Hester had been like a woman possessed. No amount of pleading or reason had shaken her off course. As far as she was concerned, this child was an answer to her prayers—a legitimate heir.
Alicia should have known Hester would contact Captain Smith. And now that he’d come to call, what had been her private problem was now a matter for the Admiralty.
“A pregnancy changes everything,” Hester continued in an excited fever. “It was one thing to consider the codicil while the duchess claimed to have the admiral’s only child, it is quite another if the admiral has a legitimate heir.”
Alicia felt the captain’s eyes, but refused to look in his direction.
“You are correct,” Captain Smith said. “The Admiralty will have to take into consideration an heir.” He paused. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t the admiral join the fleet a month before he died?”
“Yes,” Alicia whispered.
“And it’s been two since his death?”
Alicia nodded.
Aunt Hester lifted her chin. “Any child born of a man’s wife is considered by law to be his own. Indeed, the law allows a year after the father’s passing for a widow to give birth.”
Alicia had heard these arguments daily.
As far as Hester and the world were concerned, this child would be a Stone. Alicia wished she could agree. It would be the easiest choice. Little for her would change, but for the addition of a child.
But then she thought of Simon, of Octavia—Octavius’s true heirs.
What was she to do?
Ashbey.She squeezed her eyes closed. She could imagine only cold dismissal.
She wanted this child. She wanted this child so badly she could smell its baby-new skin, feel it’s tiny fingers wrapped around her thumb. Only, what kind of life could she offer?
Her child’s choices were a lifetime of lies or a lifetime of shame.
“Aunt Hester,” Alicia barely recognized voice, “I wish to speak with the captain alone.”
“Lady Stone, you know that would be—”
“Absolutely within the bounds of reason,” Alicia interrupted, “given my condition and the captain’s connection to the Admiralty.”
“I see no harm,” the captain said.
“Aunt Hester,” Alicia raised her brows, “if you would just wait in the hall.”
Hester huffed. “Of course, but I will leave the door ajar.”
Alicia went to the window, hoping the sounds of the street beyond would muffle sound. She waited for a carriage to clatter by before she spoke.
“Would a child born this winter be considered heir to Admiral Stone?”
The Captain’s expression was unreadable. “It is possible, yes.”
She pressed a fist to her lips.
