Mr Hart looked over at us hovering in the doorway. ‘So this is why you are all pretending Mrs Fitzroy is expecting?’
I nodded. ‘My husband and I are going to raise the child as our own when it is born. Everything has been arranged.’
Mr Hart rubbed his forehead tiredly. ‘It’s Dorian’s, isn’t it?’
There was no point lying. ‘Yes,’ I said.
‘I am so sorry,’ gulped Lucinda, tears running down her cheeks. ‘Please don’t hate me, Harry. I couldn’t bear it.’
He sighed and took her hand again.
‘My feelings for you are too strong to let you go that easily, my darling. I love you,’ he said and kissed her hand fervently.
Lucinda burst into fresh sobs, but they sounded less desperate than a moment ago.They are almost, I thought,tears tinged with happiness.
We deemed it best to leave the young lovers alone to commiserate or celebrate their fate—whichever it was—and crept silently out of the cottage and shut the door on the touching scene of Mr Hart kissing Lucinda full on the lips.
As Elizabeth remarked on the walk back, she would not usually leave an unmarried couple unchaperoned. But Lucinda was already pregnant, so Mr Hart could hardly do any more damage, could he?
Chapter 9
An emergency meeting with Mr Hart was called the next morning, and everyone in on the scheme (except Lucinda) met in Edward’s study. He presided behind his desk while us ladies arranged ourselves on the leather settee, and Mr Hart sat on the hard-back chair in front of the desk like a naughty schoolboy.
‘I trust you had a comfortable night’s sleep, Mr Hart?’ began Edward.
He had been shown to a room in the main house when he’d made his way back from the cottage after an hour. What had gone on between him and Lucinda during that hour we had not dared ask!
‘Yes, indeed, sir. Thank you for accommodating me at such short notice. I know my visit must seem impulsive. But my thoughts were fixed upon seeing Lucy, and I blustered my way into your household without knowing the full extent of her ... situation. For that, I apologise.’
‘It is quite all right,’ said Edward. ‘I am sorry that you are being dragged into thisunfortunatesituation.’ He shook his head sadly, which annoyed me a little.
‘Forgive me for saying so,Edward, but the situation is not quite sounfortunateas you make out. We have successfully managed to keep Lucinda’s reputation intact despite’—I looked pointedly at Elizabeth—‘being surrounded by tea party gossipers, and we have discovered that Mr Hart cares for Lucy regardless of her condition. So it is much better than we supposed. All that remains is for the baby to be born, then we will be on our way and you can return to normal as if we were never here. So you see, there is nothing to be sad about. In fact, we should be celebrating!’
‘Sorry, Edward, but I have to agree with Flissy,’ said Jane. ‘The plan is robust, and no one’s reputation has been compromised ... That is, of course, thanks to you and Elizabeth for agreeing to have them here at Godmersham and shoulder the risk,’ she added hastily as, after all, they were her relations and she had to see them again.
‘Well’, said Edward, settling back in his chair, his frown relaxing, ‘when you put it like that, it appears we have a happy conclusion to look forward to.’
‘My only concern is Lucy’s health,’ said Mr Hart earnestly. ‘Have all the arrangements been made to ensure a safe birth? I am happy to pay for someone tocome from London.’
After witnessing Mrs Busby’s strange turn the other day, a new midwife was just what we needed.
‘In truth, I am not sure the current midwife is up to the task,’ I said. ‘I would rather a new one was procured, one with more experience.’
‘Mrs Busbyisexperienced,’ said Elizabeth, speaking for the first time since we had entered the study. ‘She delivered little Edward because it was the middle of the night and my midwife did not have time to get here.’
‘But you did not choose her?’
Elizabeth sniffed contemptuously. ‘Of course not. She’s the gardener’s wife. What would people say?’
‘All right now, dear. If Mr Hart wishes to bring a midwife from London, then he shall do so,’ said Edward, seeing that his wife was getting testy. ‘I think a more important matter we need to discuss is how he feels about Felicity and Max raising the child as it will be essentially his niece or nephew.’
All heads swivelled to the gentleman. My heart raced as I realised that Mr Hart did indeed have some claim to the child because he was related. With one word, he could take away the ‘happy conclusion’ that Max and I were lookingforward to.
Mr Hart clenched his fists tightly on his lap, and I did not know if that meant he was angry or distraught at being faced with such a decision. ‘I cannot say how I will feel in the future,’ he began. ‘But I do not think how I feel now will change significantly ...’ He paused, and I found myself reaching for Jane’s hand as what he said next could potentially change everything.
‘Please take your time, Mr Hart,’ she prompted. ‘We understand this must be very upsetting for you.’
Mr Hart gave a deep sorrowful sigh. ‘It is, and I know you will think me cold and unfeeling, but I believe it is the best solution for Mr and Mrs Fitzroy to take the baby and raise it as their own. I am sorry. I love Lucy, and I do wish to marry her when she is recovered. But Icannot—and I need to say it again so you know how strongly I feel on the matter—Icannotraise Dorian’s child. It is entirely ... too much to ask of me.’
