‘A girl.’
Just as Allegra always said it would be, thought Romily with a small smile.
‘Mrs Hartley was asking for you,’ the doctor said. ‘I wouldn’t normally allow it when a patient has undergone such a difficult birth, but in this instance I think it wise.’
The smile gone from her face, Romily said, ‘What do you mean, in this instance?’
His face unreadable, he indicated that she should follow him. ‘Please,’ he said, ‘come this way.’
At the sight of Allegra, Romily tried hard to hide her shock. Propped against the pillows, she lay inert in the bed, her eyes closed, her face, normally so animated and vibrant, a blank mask. The stain of dark violet smudges beneath her eyes was the only colour to her lifeless pallor. For a heart-stopping moment Romily thought she was dead. But then her eyelids fluttered open, and in a rush of relief, Romily bent over the bed and kissed her cheek.
‘You poor dear girl, how are you feeling?’ she asked.
‘Glad it’s over,’ Allegra said, her voice no more than a breathy whisper. ‘Have you seen her? Didn’t I say I would have a girl? I knew all along.’
‘Indeed you did. I can’t wait to meet her.’
‘She’s a pretty little thing.’
Straining to hear, Romily drew up a chair. ‘I’m sure she’ll prove to be just as beautiful as her mother.’
‘I hope she won’t have my temper. I’m sorry I’ve been so horrible to you and Hope.’
‘Don’t be ridiculous; you were more than entitled to be as rude as you wanted. Has the doctor said when you and the baby will be allowed home?’
Allegra swallowed, and as though the effort was too much for her, she closed her eyes. When she opened them, they glistened with tears. ‘I want you to promise me something.’
‘Of course.’
‘I want my daughter to be called Isabella; it was the name of my best friend in the orphanage.’
‘That’s a lovely name.’
‘You will make sure that’s what she’s called?’
Alarm growing within her, Romily said, ‘I won’t need to, you’ll do that yourself.’
‘Listen to me, Romily, this is important. You mustn’t let her go to an orphanage if Elijah decides he doesn’t want to look after her. Or if he doesn’t come back.’
Romily’s throat tightened with fear. ‘Don’t wear yourself out thinking about things that won’t happen.’
‘I have to, Romily, I’m dying.’
‘No you’re not. You’re talking this way because you’re exhausted. You’re going to be fine. Just fine. I’ll make damned sure you are.’
With the slightest of movements, Allegra shook her head. ‘Will you tell Elijah that I’m sorry?’
‘Sorry for what?’
‘For leaving him. For leaving him all those years ago and for leaving him now.’ A ghost of a smile parted her pale dry lips. ‘I’m so unreliable. But then I always was such …’ she took a breath, ‘such a disappointment to everyone. I can never get things right, can I? And I did try. I really did.’
‘Don’t talk any more,’ said Romily. ‘Just concentrate on resting. You need to get your strength back, that’s all.’
‘There’s something else you must do for me,’ Allegra murmured. ‘Elijah said I was to put his name on the birth certificate. Will you do that for me? I want Isabella always to think he was her father.’
‘I’ll do whatever you say. Now stop worrying about everything, you must rest, you’re worn out.’
Allegra closed her eyes. ‘You’ve been very good to me,’ she said in a faraway voice. ‘Better than I deserved.’
