Dev knew his aunt all too well.
That would be rather neat and tidy, would it not?” If Sophia gave birth to a boy, then Dev, as trustee, would raise the young duke. And if Sophia gave birth to a girl, then Dev would become the duke, Sophia the duchess, and Harold’s child would be raised as the daughter of a duke.
His aunt merely shrugged. “It would warm my heart to know that the two of you could comfort one another. To know that Harold’s child would be raised by two parents.”
Why was he resisting this? Marrying Sophia was something he’d wanted all along. “Have you spoken to her about this?” He doubted it. And on that thought, he understood why the suggestion bothered him.
More manipulation.
He did not want his relationship with Sophia, marriage to her, to be determined by his aunt, the dukedom, or anything other than the love he and Sophia had for each other.
“I had thought to run the matter before you first,” she answered.
Dev had sent coded messages, with the name Harold had told him he would take, to every possible location he could imagine Harold might be. But locating him was going to take time.
“With all due respect,” he began, “I insist you refrain from suggesting any such thing to Lady Harold. She is not even willing to admit to herself that she is increasing. The last thing she needs is to be pressured into another marriage.”
“But—” his aunt began.
Dev held up one hand to stop her. If the duchess wished to treat him as though he were the head of the family right now, then he would use his power to reign in some of her machinations.
“There will be no further mention of it.” He would not be crossed on this matter.
She looked at him in frustration before relenting. “Very well, Dev, for now, anyhow. I’m going to revisit this with you once Sophia admits to her condition.” She then stood up, as though to let him know that she was still the duchess and was the one who would end this meeting. She smoothed her dress and turned regally before leaving the room.
Dev felt some small satisfaction in that he’d been able to protect Sophia in this one small matter.
For once.
* * *
Sophia noticedthe unusual coach behind the solicitor’s from her chamber, which overlooked the large open lawn spread before Eden’s Court. One did not forget what such a conveyance was used for. If it had been carrying ice for the kitchens, it would have been driven around to the servants’ entrance.
No, such a conveyance signified death. She set aside the letters she’d been about to open, one from Rhoda and another from Cecily, and called for Penny.
After having her hair pulled into a tight chignon and donning one of the newer black dresses she’d had made, Sophia stoically headed downstairs toward the foyer. As she did so, she came upon the duchess, who was just emerging from the study where Dev spent most of his time. “Is something amiss? Your grace…” Sophia reached out and touched her mother-in-law’s arm tentatively.
Without speaking, the duchess led Sophia into a nearby drawing room. Once they entered, she pulled her down onto one of the sofas beside her.
“What is it?” She began again, unable to contemplate what could possibly have happened now.
“Sophia,” her mother-in-law began. But then, seeming to reconsider her words, she turned her fist and then opened it for Sophia to see what she held.
It was Harold’s ring.
Sophia had seen it on him often enough; in fact, she could not remember a time when he had ever removed it. “Where did you get that?” she asked, her mind quickly trying to ascertain whether or not she’d seen Harold wearing it on that last fateful day.
She was almost certain that she had not.
Perhaps her grace now wished for Sophia to have it. But Sophia did not want it. His mother ought to keep it.
“Sophia, dear…” The duchess spoke tenderly. “…the ring was taken from Harold’s body, which was found washed up on one of the beaches near Priory Point.”
Sophia frowned. But this was not possible.
“His valet did not give you the ring when he packed Harold’s possessions?” The ring had not come from Harold’s body. She was certain of it. It could not have been. Harold’s body was off somewhere in a distant land, starting a new life.
The duchess patted Sophia on the arm. “No, dear, he has been found and returned to us. I will plan a small burial service for him. He will be laid to rest with his father and brother.”
