Lorelei swallowed and nodded, as her voice refused to operate.
Confusion marred the girl’s brow. “I had a baby. Where is my baby?”
Lorelei forced the air to expel from her lungs. “You did. Do! You have a fine baby boy.”
“Where is he? Where’s my baby?” Panic edged her soft voice. “Where’s Brandon? Where’s my—”
Lorelei patted her hand. “Bethie is fetching him for you as we speak.” She darted a sharp, telling glance to Bethie. Bethie gave a sharp nod and rushed from the room. “Don’t worry, he is in good hands.”
“I want to see him. Now.” Her pitch was breathy. “Now.” Her pitch rose with each syllable.
“Please, please don’t fret, Miss Hollerfield.” Lorelei squeezed her hand. “He shall be here soon.”
Corinne’s eyes drifted close, and a tear squeezed past. “Where is Rowena? She would never leave me.” Miss Hollerfield’s eyes opened again, their bleakness terrifying. “Oh, God. You’ve turned her out, haven’t you? Because she is… she is—”
“No! No, I would never,” Lorelei whispered. But would she have? If she hadn’t learned Corinne’s baby belonged to Brandon? A large lump constricted Lorelei’s throat. And now, how was she to break the news about Corinne’s mother? What could she say? Dear God, how? “She… she chose to stay behind, dear. A-at the cottage.” Surely God would not punish her for the small white lie considering the circumstances.
Mrs. Wells appeared in the door, holding the child, with Bethie right on their heels. Lorelei trembled with relief. She stood quickly, directing the wet nurse into the chair.
“I-I wish to h-hold him,” Miss Hollerfield said faintly.
“Bethie, hurry. Miss Hollerfield needs our assistance in sitting up.” Lorelei moved to one side, waiting for Bethie to reach the other. Bethie’s put an arm about the girl’s shoulders and gently raised her up while Lorelei stuffed pillows behind her.
Mrs. Wells came forward, pulled the coverlet from the small, wrinkled red face, and placed him in Miss Hollerfield’s weak hold, supporting her arm with a broad one of her own.
Now that he’d received nourishment, the baby had fallen into a peaceful slumber, oblivious to his surroundings. He was so tiny. Lorelei took a step back, but somehow couldn’t tear her eyes from him, studying him from several feet away.
Could it be true? Was Brandon his father? He looked just like Brandon had at that age. Or perhaps that was hopeful thinking?
Miss Hollerfield mumbled incoherent nothings. She was much too weak to hold the infant without assistance, but Mrs. Wells seemed cognizant of that fact and kept her support firmly in place. “Your papa will be most proud,” Corinne whispered.
Lorelei’s gaze took in her weary features.Rowena Hollerfield, Corinne’s mother?The thoughts roiled through her head. It was clear why Rowena had hidden the fact she’d had a daughter. As a courtesan, the woman had to appear at her most advantageous. Men were not known for their ability to seek a woman’s inner depths.
They went for beauty. In every class of life. From the upper classes on down.
Lorelei should know. Hadn’t Thorne chosen her for that very virtue? In her class, women avoided the sun for fear of freckling. Calluses were gauche. A woman must eat like a bird, speak politely, listen attentively. The list was endless.
“She’s gone.”
The words seeped into Lorelei in a slow, waking nightmare. “What? No! She’s only sleep—”
Mrs. Wells leaped forward to catch the child from Corinne’s slackened hold. Her head slumped to one side.
Bethie darted forward, running her hands over the girl as Lorelei stood to the side, paralyzed. “She’s only sleepin’, milady.”
Lorelei gasped, and her knees buckled. She stumbled to the chair next to the bed and sank down.
She glanced at Bethie, her dear, dear general. A general who appeared set to topple with the slightest breeze. “Bethie,” Lorelei said.
“Take yerself to bed, milady. Agnes and me, we can look after Miss Hollerfield.”
Lorelei shook her head. Words could barely choke past her lips. “No. I’ll wait here.”
“Mrs. Wells is staying in the sittin’ room. Ye’ll just be underfoot, if ye stay.”
Lorelei feared Bethie was right. Lorelei was useless as a nurse. “Go, milady.”
Still, Lorelei shook her head. “I’ll stay. Go to bed, Bethie. A slight breeze could knock you off your feet.”
