Chapter Fifteen
Naomi ought to have at least checked outside the window and she would have realized that her visitors were not any of her neighbors or even one of Ester’s family members coming with a message. Then, at the very least, she might have taken the additional five minutes required to locate her dress that fastened up the front and come to the door fully clothed.
But she had also known a tinge of worry that it was someone from her own family—that something had happened to her mother or her father, or that either Theodosia or Walter had fallen ill and one of them was coming for her. Or perhaps her father had changed his mind.
Finding the Duke of Blackheart on one’s porch before she’d had the chance to dress properly had been startling, to say the least.
She’d seen him on a few occasions last spring and considered him something of a lofty character but had never been introduced. Upon close inspection, he was even more daunting.
And yet… he was not looking down his nose at her.
And the twins, Luke’s sisters… were absolutely adorable. Even the straight-backed, governess hadn’t so much as sniffed at Naomi’s disheveled appearance.
They’d followed Naomi to the kitchen and before she could check the water on the stove, two sets of hands landed on the back of her dress and tugged the fabric closed.
“One would think that those persons who design lady’s gowns would make them so the lady herself could don them without assistance.” One of the twins had gone right to the basin of water on the counter and was using a damp rag to smooth Naomi’s gown while the other twin fastened her up from behind.
“That way,” the sister behind her continued, “a lady wouldn’t find herself in such a predicament when her maid is suddenly called away. It isn’t as though you could ask Lucas to help you.”
Although initially taken aback, Naomi already was feeling more put together. The governess had set herself to arranging the dishes on the tray Naomi had removed earlier and was efficiently pouring water into the porcelain pot. “Do you have any napkins, Ma’am?” she asked Naomi for all the world as though she, her employer, and her charges hadn’t just arrived to find her in a somewhat scandalous situation with the duke’s brother.
As he had every night for almost a week now, Luke had made love to her the night before. And then she, in turn, had made love to him. And if she was correct in her assumption, they’d been on the verge of making love again before his brother had begun pounding on the door.
A duke. She covered her cheeks with her hands for a moment, only to drop them immediately.
“I’m sorry for your loss, Mrs. Gilcrest.” The young woman who’d been dampening the wrinkles out of her skirt rose, looking quite solemn. “Especially with your babe on the way. When is it coming, do you know?”
“It’s not polite to comment on a proper lady’s confinement, Lady Lucinda.” Mrs. Cromwell made a hushing sound.
Only, Naomi didn’t imagine herself a very proper lady at the moment. A proper woman, perhaps, a highly satisfied voice piped up in her thoughts.
“I’m not offended.” She gave Lady Lucinda a reassuring nod and reached for some napkins in a nearby cupboard. “Sometime after the holidays.” According to the midwife who’d visited her in August. Arthur had insisted the midwife visit just before he’d taken his leave. He’d told her it would provide him with peace of mind until he could return.
The memory brought her up short. It would be easier to hate him if he had been all bad. He’d been irresponsible. He’d lied to her and he’d cheated. And despite his last ghastly blunder, she could not deny that in the time they’d been together, he’d treated her with affection.
And he had asked Luke to look after her. Luke, the man who had since stolen her heart and brought it back to life—a heart she’d considered beyond repair.
“I imagine you wish for a boy?” Lady Lydia had finished working on the fasteners and moved around to assist with a second tray. “To carry on Captain Gilcrest’s name.”
“Gil wasn’t the heir, Lydia,” her sister inserted. “Baby girls are underrated.”
“I suppose. But the earl shows no sign of marrying and if he doesn’t, Gil’s child would stand to inherit the title.”
“I hadn’t thought of that.” Lady Lucinda’s eyes opened wide.
Neither had Naomi. Her heart skipped several beats at the possibility.
She’d not met Gil’s older brother as he’d not been in London last spring and Gil hadn’t been eager to talk about his family to her.
“That’s probably why they’re coming here.” The two girls had been moving around the kitchen as they talked and since they were wearing identical gowns, Naomi lost track of which one was which.
But… Her heart stopped. “They are coming here?”
“It’s why Black rushed us down here.”
“That and because Luke’s new orders had come. He only brought us because we begged. Blasted brother of ours thinking he could get away without coming home while on leave.”
Naomi hardly noticed that the girls were glancing between one another, looking more than a little dismayed that such a complaint had been uttered aloud.
