Kit straightened smartly and became the model student at attention. He said clearly, “Lugubrious. L-U-G-U-B-R-I-O-U-S. Lugubrious.”
“That’s very good,” Sam said. “But what the hell does it mean?”
“Papa! Your language.”
“Excuse me,” Samuel said. “But what thebloodyhell does it mean?” Everyone laughed, including Lydia. “Well?” Sam asked.
“It means very sad or mournful,” Kit said, and added for good measure, “We shall all be lugubrious when you and Pei Ling return to California in the New Year.”
“Good God.” Samuel looked suitably impressed.
Pei Ling handed the medallion back to Kit. “It is very fine honor, young sir. Also very fine that you send to Nathan.”
Kit’s hand closed over the medal and he bent his head again, embarrassed by the attention. He shrugged and stared at his feet. A lock of dark blond hair fell over his forehead.
Nathan took pity on him. “Why don’t you go out to the stable, Kit? Pooley said he was looking for someone to help him with the horses. He probably could use you.”
“Oh, yes, sir.” He tossed the medallion to Nathan. “Thank you, sir.”
The adults managed not to smile at Kit’s eagerness until he was out of the room. Nathan turned the medallion over in his hand and fit his forefinger against the indentation. “I was on horseback at the edge of the fire. I still don’t know what made me turn. It might have been the heat, my mount, perhaps something I heard—or none of those things. But I did turn, and the impact of Brig’s shot knocked me down. I know I was unconscious for a while and that probably helped save me as well. Brig came out of his hiding place long enough to take my coat as proof for Lydia that I was dead. When I came around the fire was licking at my boots and the heat was searing my lungs.” He could laugh at the memory now, and did. “I thought I was in hell. It wasn’t until I found Kit’s packet in my shirt pocket that I realized I was alive. The bullet was still imbedded in the medallion.”
“He came back for me then.” Lydia looked at the raised flesh on her forearms. “I can’t seem to help but shiver when I think about it.”
“Quite a feat in this weather,” Samuel said flatly, dabbing at his brow again.
Pei Ling rose to her feet. “Samuel cannot appreciate miracle when he so hot,” she said. “I prepare cool bath for him now.” Making a slight bow to Nathan and Samuel, she left the room.
“When are you going to marry her, Papa?” Lydia asked baldly.
The heated flush in Samuel’s cheeks deepened. “I’m not.” He held up his hand to stay Lydia’s objection. “It’s not what you think, Lydia. We both know I was saddened by your mother’s death, horrified at the manner of her murder at Brigham’s hands, but it would be a lie to say that I’m mourning her. I would take Pei Ling as my wife tomorrow if she would have me. The truth is, she won’t. She says it’s quite acceptable for me to have a Chinese mistress, but not a Chinese wife. She will stay with me as my mistress, honor me with her love and fidelity, but she won’t marry me. I can’t make her change her mind.” His light blue eyes flashed a warning to Lydia. “And it’s not your place to try to influence her. Pei Ling and I will manage.”
“I would never interfere,” Lydia said solemnly.
Nathan bent his head and kissed her on the temple. “Liar,” he whispered, when his mouth was close to her ear.
Lydia’s smile was serene and inscrutable. “Nathan and I have another present for you, Papa,” she said. “I’m going to have a baby.”
Later that evening when they were in bed, Lydia turned on her side to face Nathan. Her knees were drawn up and they bumped his. “I think Papa was pleased, don’t you?”
He reached for her hand under the covers and threaded his fingers through hers. His thumb brushed back and forth across the fleshy pad of her palm. He said dryly, “I’d say pleased was an understatement. But then, I’m only judging Sam by how loud he shouted when you told him.”
Lydia laughed softly. “Onewouldthink it’s never been done before.”
“It hasn’t…not by us.” His eyes were suddenly grave. “You really don’t mind that our child will be Currency?”
“I’mCurrency, Nathan.” She squeezed his hand. “Irish’s daughter, remember? He never had a pardon. If there’s such a thing as convict stain, then it’s mine to pass on, not yours. You’re not a prisoner any longer. You never were.”
Nathan shook his head. “It’s a state of mind,” he said. “You’ll never be Currency, and a thousand pardons from the governor can’t change what was done to me in Van Dieman’s Land.”
Nathan heard no bitterness in his voice and his smile was gentle. “Our child will be loved,” she said. “Let’s think about that and forget Sterling and Currency.”
Easing his hand out of Lydia’s, Nathan placed his palm across the faint swelling of her abdomen. “Do you ever feel the babe?”
“No, not yet. Molly says it will be a few more weeks before the quickening.” At his look of disappointment, Lydia smiled indulgently. “I’ll be sure to let you know as soon as it happens. But if I have to come out to the paddock, the men will rib you mercilessly.”
“I don’t care.”
Her eyes darted over his face. “You really don’t, do you?”
