“Or perhaps your water has broken, and you have begun to labor?”Adeline said kindly.
“How do you know that?Her water?”Violet began to panic at the wet spot on the carpet as Lucy stepped to one side.
“I have been studying up on all things pregnancy in preparation for starting a family.There is so much to know about the birth process and infant care.”She shrugged as Violet and Lucy continued to stare at her.“Kingsbury and I would like to have a large family eventually, and I want to be prepared.Come, let’s get you home, Lucy.Hartwick will never forgive me for letting you out of the house if something happens to you.”
“I’m coming too.”Violet finally gathered her wits.She wasn’t going to miss out on any more of life.Mourning, be dammed.“How exciting!You are about to bring a new life into this world.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Rhys picked uphis coffee and looked over at Matthew, who sat across from him.“I went by Lady Awbrey’s house and was told by her staff that she has been visiting her sister’s family since Christmastide.Perhaps she is more astute than the others were and has decided to put some space between herself and the duke.”
Matthew nodded and drank his coffee.
“I will put one of the lads on her house to monitor when she gets back in town.For now, that’s all I can do,” Rhys said.
“Too bad we can’t find a way to stop this bastard.We know he is as bad as the rest of them,” Matthew muttered.
“I agree.I will figure something out.”
The door opened, and Ben came into the room.“This just came for you, Seaton.”He handed over a folded missive.“The man was wearing Hartwick livery.”
Rhys frowned.“I was just over there this morning.”He ran a finger through the seal and unfolded the note.Hartwick’s perfectly formed scrawl bled across the page as though he had dashed the note off in a hurry.Once Rhys read it, he understood why.“Hart’s lady is finally having the baby.She has been in labor all day.”He stood.“Well, lads, I must go.The man will be a disaster, waiting for that babe to be born.”
Matthew chuckled.“See you later then.”
Rhys smirked.“You shouldn’t laugh.Your lady is next, Reeves.”
Matthew’s smile disappeared as he visibly gulped.“She has done it before.She’ll be fine.”The last bit came out more like a question than a statement.
“She will,” Rhys confirmed.He grabbed his cap and headed out.Walking across town, he enjoyed the bustle of early evening traffic.The racket of carriage wheels, the hawking of goods from the cart vendors in Piccadilly, the smell of roasting meat coming from behind the Stag’s Head Inn.The cold of February had bled into a chilly March.No longer did the cold bite at the cheeks, but there was still enough damp chill to require an overcoat.
He thought about Violet and how she always had her hands stuffed into that fur muff.Her long, delicate fingers were so elegant, and that little gold ring—seeing it on her thumb sent such warm pleasure throughout his chest.Like somehow it meant she wished she were his.Ridiculous.He shook his head to clear his fanciful thoughts.She was not meant for the likes of him.
Rhys tipped his cap to Sally Mae, who sold her delicious meat pies from a cart on the corner of Bedford and High Streets.“Evening, Sally.Good money today?”
Sally and he had grown up together at the Birdcage.She had a successful bakery business, but instead of renting a storefront, she had a nice little house in Soho Square where she baked her goods.Each morning, she delivered fresh bread to fancy houses in Mayfair, and every evening she hawked her meat pies to people heading home from their jobs.
“Always.My pies are the talk of the town.”She winked at him.“Hungry?”
He shook his head.“Nah, headed to visit my brother.His wife’s having her baby.”
“Good luck to her,” Sally said.
Rhys arrived in St.James Square just as the sun disappeared.He was shown into Hart’s study and found his brother pacing in front of the fireplace.In a leather chair nearby sat the husband of Lucy’s and Violet’s friend, Adeline.What was his name?Rhys crossed the room.“Going to wear a hole right through that carpet.Such a shame, since I know it’s new,” Rhys said.
Hart spun around and met him halfway across the room with his hand outstretched.“Didn’t expect to see you, Seaton.”
Rhys shrugged.“Figured you could use some distraction while you wait.”
“Thanks.”Hart thumped him on the arm.“Come on in.Let me introduce Lord Kingsbury.He is Adeline’s husband.Kingsbury, this is Rhys Seaton, my half brother.”
Kingsbury rose.“I remember you from when Adeline was attacked.”
Rhys nodded.“I am glad they were able to get you out of the clink at Whitehall.”
“Me too.”Kingsbury grinned.“I have been trying to distract Hart, but the pacing has not stopped.I fear I am not as entertaining as I think I am.”
Rhys turned to his brother.“How’s your lady doing?”
