‘Come with me now, to London. You, me, and Fred—we can be a family together,’ Dorian said in a low urgent voice.
My mouth fell open.
‘I thought you were engaged to Rosalind Whiteley?’
Dorian shook his head impatiently. ‘That was a mistake. I don’t love her, not the way I love you.’
I sucked in a deep lungful of air, let it out slowly, and tried to think of how best to deal with this.
Clearly, it was all my fault. If I had not gone to London and helped Dorian regain his health out of the kindness of my heart, I would not be in this position.
‘You need to make up your mind quickly,’ said Dorian, looking over his shoulder. ‘I’m taking him anyway, so it’s up to you.’
This is it,I thought.This is Mrs Busby’s prediction. I have a choice to make.
But I couldn’t go with Dorian and leave Max, and I couldn’t stay behind and let Dorian take Freddie—he was just a baby! It was an impossible choice! But I had to make a decision, even if it led to certain death!
Feeling like I was in a bad dream, I said, ‘All right, I’ll go with you.’
Dorian’s smile was one of triumph, and still clutching Freddie, he held out his other hand to me. Our trio emerged from the pantry as Lucinda came dashing into the kitchen. Behind her were Harry, Seraphina, and Tobias. Maurice must have fetched them instead of Max.
I pleaded for help with my eyes.
‘What’s happening here?’ Tobias demanded, his attention fixed on Dorian’s hand clasped with mine.
‘I’ve discovered I have a son. That’s what’s happening,’ said Dorian stonily, squeezing my limp hand. ‘And I have a good mind to go out into the ballroom this minute and tell everyone he’s a Hart and not a Fitzroy.’
Lucinda gasped, and I shook my head slightly at her. I didn’t want Dorian to get riled up again, not with the axestill within reach. It could be an Anne Boleyn moment for me if anyone challenged him.
‘Use your common sense, man!’ said Harry sharply. ‘You would ruin this family and ours. Do you want that on your conscience?’
‘Stay out of it, Harry! You are as much to blame as everyone else since you obviously knew about it!’ snarled Dorian.
Harry’s jaw tensed, and he didn’t reply.
Collecting himself, Dorian took a deep steadying breath and started moving our trio towards the door. ‘Now if you will excuse us, we’re leaving for London forthwith.’
But Tobias hadn’t said his piece yet. He scowled at me and clenched his fists. ‘I alwaysknewthere was something suspicious about that birth of yours! Now I know what! Does Max know that Freddie isn’t his? That you’vecuckoldedhim?’ Unbelievably, he spat at me.
‘Calm down, Tobias,’ said Seraphina, hurriedly placing a hand on his arm. ‘Felicity hasn’t betrayed Max.’
‘Then what the devil is this fellow going on about?’
Lucinda lifted her chin, and I saw her entire body was quivering. With rage or fear, I wasn’t sure.
Oh no, she isn’t going to ...I shook my head at herfuriously. ‘Lucy, don’t—’
‘Freddie is mine, Papa. I gave birth to him at Godmersham last February.’ She spoke firmly and clearly. ‘Uncle Max and Aunty Fliss are raising him as their own—to protect me. But yes, Dorian Hart is his real father.’
Tobias’s face turned ashen. ‘What?Why am I only finding out about this now?’
‘So you wouldn’t do anything rash, dear,’ said Seraphina soothingly, but there was an edge of panic in her voice.
‘Youknew too? My own wife!’ Tobias’s eyes went dark. ‘Andyou!’ He turned to Dorian. ‘You who dared to touch my daughter,my little girlout of wedlock. I’m going to kill youwith my bare hands!’
Several things then happened in quick succession.
Having entered the kitchen, Rosalind Whiteley heard the conversation, put two and two together, and screeched at the top of her lungs.
