“You visit him?”
“When I can.”
He knocked softly before pushing the door inward, and then gestured for Melanie to enter before him.
As she stepped into the nursery, her eyes immediately fell on the small cradle by the window. A warm glow of afternoon light framed the scene.
The sight of the baby, so innocent and unaware of the turmoil surrounding him, tightened something in her chest. Everything in this room was a testament to Malum’s unexpected sense of duty—a duty he’d taken on without hesitation.
“Nurse,” he said, in a firm yet considerate tone. “You may step out for a brief time.” The woman, a grandmotherly type who Melanie had not noticed at first, gave a quick nod, curtsied, and left the room, closing the door behind her.
Melanie glanced at Malum, now standing by the cradle, looking down at Ernest. And in that moment, his expression turned to one of fondness, but a little sadness too.
“What shall I say,” she asked quietly, breaking the silence, “when people ask me about him?” Because of that blasted article.
His silver eyes lifted from the infant to meet hers. “The truth,” he replied, not even hesitating. “Not that it’s any of their business.”
His answer took her by surprise, resonating with more significance than she expected. It wasn’t just the words, but theconviction behind them, as though he was placing a protective barrier between her and theton.
“The truth,” she repeated. “That the family of one of your employees abandoned him. And that you’re going to take him in?” Could it really be that simple?
“They’ll think what they want, regardless.”
He was right. She knew he was right.
“I know it shouldn’t matter,” she said, a hint of emotion slipping into her voice, “but it does. Everything that touches my family only seems to make the gossip worse. And… you must know why that’s something we cannot ignore.”
He looked down at Ernest again, his mouth flattening. “That’s true enough,” he said. “I suppose that’s all the more reason for us to be convincing this afternoon.”
She attempted a smile at his reminder, but she didn’t want to think about performing for thetonquite yet.
Melanie stepped closer. “Can I hold him?”
Still staring at the baby, Malum nodded, stepping back to give her space.
Melanie leaned over the cradle. Just a few weeks old, Ernest’s small face was soft as he stared back at her, his features tiny and oh, so delicate.
“Hold his head,” Malum said, his voice low and cautious.
Melanie felt a flicker of amusement at his warning and resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Of course, she’d held the baby before—in fact, she’d toldhimhow to burp the little one. She met his somber stare, a hint of playful exasperation in her own, before carefully lifting Ernest from the cradle and tucking him against her chest.
The baby relaxed immediately, his warmth soothing her worries for now.
He smelled faintly of milk and the powdery scent of fresh linens. The softness of his skin and the little weight of himfelt unexpectedly reassuring, sparking a rush of tenderness that caught her off guard. The rhythm of his tiny breaths brushed against her collarbone, a stark contrast to the clamor of the world outside.
Malum’s gaze rested on her with a patience she wouldn’t have expected. It was a rare moment where he seemed neither guarded nor detached.
It made her heart twist, and the intimacy of it should have been confusing.
Her eyes dropped to Ernest’s peaceful face once more, and reluctantly, she shifted him toward Malum.
“I should go,” she whispered. How long had she been standing here, rocking back and forth, just… being?
Malum didn’t argue, and as she transferred the baby, the brush of his fingers against hers sent a spark coursing through her. The room seemed to hold its breath, pulling her back to the private parlor in his brothel, when she’d felt a flutter of anticipation, practically daring him to kiss her.
After Malum’s arms closed around Ernest, she hesitated, watching his entire face relax when he stared down at the baby.
When he lifted his gaze to hers, that tender expression was still there.
