He swung wildly, aiming a punch at Richard’s jaw.
“Daniel, no!” Victoria gasped.
Richard had already avoided the blow, stepping aside just in time. He raised his hands, not in surrender, but in restraint. He would not strike back.
Panic surged through Victoria. Acting on instinct, she thrust Melody into Mrs. Hughes’s arms. The nursemaid fled the room at once, clutching the baby close.
Victoria stepped between the two men, skirts swishing, heart hammering.
“Enough!” she commanded.
Daniel froze, chest heaving, his gaze snapping to her. “Why on earth are you this calm? This man has brought a child into your household! He’s broken his vows!”
“He has not,” she said, forcing steadiness into her voice. “You must listen. It may appear as though—” she swallowed, “—as though your fears are justified, but they are not. The child is not Richard’s.”
“What?” Daniel arched a skeptical brow, his fury cooling only slightly.
“The baby was left at our doorstep,” Victoria continued quickly. “We are searching for her parents. We have a lead. Until then, we must tell society that she is Richard’s niece. A child of a cousin who’s passed. It is the only way to shield her. And ourselves.”
Daniel’s eyes flicked between her and Richard, suspicion lingering.
“And you expect me to believe,” he said harshly, “that while you lived apart from my sister, you did not take some woman to your bed? A child appears, and I am meant to ignore the obvious?” His gaze hardened. “Surely you know what people would think. WhatIwould think.”
Richard’s expression tightened. “I have explained this to your sisters already, Grisham,” he said, fatigue heavy in his voice. “You are free to believe what you wish of me. But I will not continue to defend myself against an accusation I did not earn.”
“Is your word supposed to be enough to convince me?” Daniel gritted out, clenching his fists.
“I believe him, Daniel,” Victoria said, the words tumbling out before she could second-guess them.
She knew the danger of public ruin. She knew how easily the ton could destroy them both. And though doubt still flickered within her, she also knew, somehow, that this was not a lie.
Daniel exhaled slowly. His shoulders sagged.
“Very well,” he muttered. “If my clever sister believes you, Hawksford, then I do, too. Excuse my violence. It is my duty to protect her.”
“I understand,” Richard replied quietly. His posture eased, though weariness lingered in his eyes.
“Do you?” Daniel asked, still uncertain.
Richard only nodded, evidently too tired to argue further.
“What you must do, brother,” Victoria said then, forcing a brightness she did not fully feel, “is properly meet Melody.”
Daniel hesitated, then nodded. “All right. Lead on, sister.”
She led him upstairs to the nursery. The room was warm and softly lit. Victoria lifted Melody from the bassinet and brought her close. The baby’s face brightened instantly, lips parting in a gummy smile as she babbled happily.
Victoria’s heart stuttered.
“You’re quite good with her, Vicky,” Daniel said softly, his voice transformed. “She likes you.”
“I’m only happy she’s comfortable. We will find her mother,” Victoria replied quickly, even as her arms tightened around the baby. “I am only keeping her safe for now.”
She told Daniel that, but she was reminding herself just as much.
She looked down at Melody’s face, her defenses weakening despite her resolve. The baby had a way of doing that, of burrowing beneath reason and caution alike.
Somehow, Victoria’s mind went back to Richard.
