Cordelia needed a physician. It would be the only way to confirm her suspicions and decide what to do about the future. But she could scarcely summon the family doctor. She needed to see a physician that did not know her—one that would not report back to her parents—or Nathaniel.
A sense of hopelessness pierced her heart as she pulled her chemise over her head. Gathering her resolve, she rang for her maid.
Nothing was lost. In fact, she had everything to gain. A child to love and protect. Cordelia could be a mother. Once she knew for sure there was a child, she would figure out how to proceed.
Nathaniel had not asked for a baby. He’d not even set out to bed her. She could go to him. Could tell him her suspicion, but she knew how that would end. She would not trap him in an ill-fated union. More importantly, Cordelia would not sentence her child to grow up in a loveless home.
Her baby. She smiled—a child all her own to love and protect. The thought sent her heart soaring, and she knew that somehow, someway, everything would be well.
But she needed help.
Two hours later, Cordelia sat in Celia’s parlor sipping tea. Just as Celia had predicted, the pair of them had become fast friends. Celia knew about Cordelia’s tryst with Nathaniel. If anyone could help her, it would be Celia.
Cordelia waved away the sweetmeat Celia offered. “I couldn’t eat it if I wished to,” she said.
“Why ever not?” Celia arched a speculative brow.
Cordelia warmed all over, embarrassment and unease rocking her to the core. Summoning all of her courage, she held her friend’s gaze. “I suspect I am increasing.”
Celia’s blue eyes went wide, her gaze shifting to Cordelia’s belly. “You must marry him.”
“No.” Cordelia shook her head.
“But—” Celia said before Cordelia cut her off.
“I do not know for sure, and even if it is so, I will not force us all in to a miserable existence.”
“Oh, that again.” Celia sat her teacup down, her brow furrowed. “How can you be so sure that a life with Lord Wolverton would be miserable?”
“He does not love me,” Cordelia shook her head, “Nor could he.”
“Rubbish.” Celia waved her hand dismissively. “Lord Wolverton possesses many fine qualities, and he already proposed to you twice. He may not love you, but he wishes to marry you. It is more than many couples have in the beginning.”
“Three times.” Cordelia sighed. “He proposed three times, but he scarcely meant it.”
“You are wrong,” Celia said, a small smile turning up the corners of her lips. “A man would not be that persistent if he did not wish to marry the woman in question.”
Cordelia shook her head. “He feels a responsibility toward me because of what we did. It is nothing more, and that is hardly a good reason for marriage.”
“But a baby is.” Celia leaned toward Cordelia, her eyes searching, studying. “You cannot wish for your child to grow up a bastard.”
Celia’s words stung, and Cordelia sucked in a breath at the shock of them. She would allow no one to mistreat her child, nor would she have it labeled a bastard. Somehow she would safeguard her secret and protect the child—if there was one.
Swallowing past the lump in her throat, Cordelia said, “I do not even know if there is a baby. I need your help. That is why I came to you.”
“Oh?” Celia’s brows drew together in question. “How may I be of help?”
Cordelia squared her shoulders, her determination renewed. “I need to see a physician. One who does not know me and was hoping you could arrange it.”
“I see.” Celia nodded. “I will send for my physician at once.”
Cordelia blew out a breath of relief, then said, “Thank you.”
“Think nothing of it,” Celia said as she moved to the bell-pull. “And as luck would have it, my brother and the duchess took my mother into the village so nobody will be around to witness the doctors coming and going.”
“Thank God.” Cordelia sighed. She’d not even considered that Celia’s family may discover what she was about. Cordelia would need to be far more careful.
An hour later, Cordelia lay stretched out on a bed in one of Celia’s guest chambers while a physician examined her. The grey-haired, bespectacled man smiled at her. “Congratulations are indeed in order, my lady.”
