Algenon held it out to him, and his father’s good hand came up and flipped the book open to a page that was bent in half, covering whatever was written there.
“Look,” he repeated.
Algenon peeled back the page and straightened it. He read three lines before stopping, his eyes going wide and his stomach swooping like he’d been dropped off the highest tower.
If the world ever finds out Algenon is not my own, but the result of my brother’s idiocy before his death, the Roberts title will be no more, for I have not fathered a legitimate son and my hopes are waning.
Chapter 25
Javenia stared at the fire, still unable to find the will to do much more than dress for the day. A knock sounded, and Nessa peeked in.
“You have a visitor.”
She looked up. “Tell them I am not at home to visitors.”
The door pushed open and Livy walked in without invitation, Melior close on her heels. “That is unfortunate.” She turned back to Nessa. “You heard her. If there are any visitors, you must turn them away. Thankfully, we are family.”
Tears filled Javenia’s eyes, spilling over in torrents. She should have known Livy and Melior would not desert her in her time of need.
Melior rushed over and threw her arms around Javenia’s shoulders, holding her from behind. Javenia shook with her sobs, but Melior held her upright. Livy knelt before her and laid a gentle hand over hers.
No one said anything. The two women just waited for Javenia’s tears to run their course. Finally, after several harshpain-filled cries, the load she had carried the last four days eased, leaving a welcome weariness. Better to be exhausted than to feel the world press down on her like an elephant’s foot.
“We came right away when the news reached Maidstone.” Melior sat across from her.
Javenia wrapped her arms about herself. “So it is done, then. All of England knows I am ruined?”
Livy stood. “Nonsense. Now that Lord Roberts is dead, Al will not wait another moment before making you his wife.”
Javenia bolted to her feet. The whole elephant sat on her chest causing an ache so deep she could hardly draw breath. “Lord Roberts is dead?” A new wave of tears, ones filled with blinding guilt, streamed down her cheeks. “I killed Lord Roberts? Algenon is going to hate me.”
Melior intercepted her as she paced, pulling her into her arms. “Javenia, you did no such thing. Lord Roberts has had headaches for years, according to my mother-in-law. It was only a matter of time.”
The news still didn’t calm Javenia’s mind. She’d once wished the man dead, and now it had happened. Whether by providence or fate, it seemed cruel. She burrowed her face into Melior’s shoulder, grateful for her greater height. Melior tightened her hold, the slight rounding of her middle protruding against Javenia’s stomach.
She pushed away and peered into Melior’s eyes. “You shouldn’t be up. You should be home taking care of yourself, not here consoling me.” She turned to encompass both women. “Both of you should be resting. I know how much you both want these children, and the struggles you’ve had.”
The left side of Livy’s mouth quirked up. “We are not wilting flowers, Javenia. A gentle carriage ride to comfort a friend will not change our fates. Either these babies will be born healthy, orthey will not. It is all in God’s hands, as Nate’s mother is wont to say.”
Javenia smiled through her tears. “The Dowager Lady Stanford is a wise woman.”
Melior sat down. “Yes, she is. But do not let her hear you call her dowager. She detests the title. Says it makes her sound old, something she refuses to be even if she’s confined to a bed.” She shook her head. “I never thought Lord Roberts would go before Mama. It only goes to show what a will of iron she has.”
Javenia tried to return Melior’s smile, but her lips quivered. “He would probably still be alive if Algenon and I had not been caught kissing in a fountain, our clothes drenched like drowned rats. The shock sent him into a fit of apoplexy.”
The fire popped in the grate, and the three women glanced at it. The cold of December had finally swooped in to remind them that winter was underway.
“At least it was not the peak of the season,” Livy said. “There were far fewer people in attendance than would have been in April or May.”
Melior leaned forward in her chair, a sparkle twinkling in her cobalt blue eyes. “But it would have been freezing. You might have caught your death, Javenia. It only seems fair that Al should keep you warm.”
A snicker burst from Livy, and Javenia couldn’t help but smile. “If only Mrs. Cline and Lady Plum hadn’t led his father and Lord Falcross out to where we were, we might have been able to explain the mishap away.” She sighed and slumped into her chair. “Now I am no better than Miss Giles when she tried to trap him into a marriage.”
“You cannot truly believe that,” Livy said. “Algenon has loved you ever since—” she suddenly stopped, her gaze flitting to Melior. Her pert nose scrunched up. “Never mind.”
Javenia sat up straight. “No, tell me. You cannot lead with that and then leave me to wonder.”
Livy cleared her throat. “Since Penwick.” She pointedly raised her eyebrows, her gaze flitting again to Melior.
