“Speaking of resolutions…” Phoebe pressed her lips together to keep a giggle from startling the baby.
Her friend glanced up, a twinkle glistening in her eyes. “Your list was much naughtier than what Forrester read out loud to me, wasn’t it?”
Phoebe couldn’t help but tease her. “For being a widow who just gave birth, you have a one-track mind.”
Iseabail adopted her most bewildered expression as she rapidly batted her eyelashes in a practiced look of innocence. “But you’re the one who corrupted me, remember?”
“I believe we corrupted each other.”
“True. But seriously, you must tell me what was on that list.”
“We had this same discussion when you became pregnant. You said, and I quote, ‘There are some things that should remainbetween a man and a woman. To share would break the spell of that special moment.’”
“That’s what I said, word for word?”
She walked over to stand at her friend’s side. Iseabail looked exhausted despite her maid having helped her bathe and braid her hair. “If it is not word for word, it is close. May I hold him?”
Iseabail reluctantly held out the baby and Phoebe took the little bundle into her arms. The new Duke of Nithesdale was the first baby she’d ever held in her life. The birth had been stressful and exhausting. A milestone in their lives she would never forget. Yet it had seemed like an endless bout of pain and pushing and she’d had to lay her trust in the midwife’s experienced hands. If Phoebe was honest with herself, she had been scared witless for Iseabail’s life and she wasn’t certain she would want to put Forrester through such an experience, even if she could have a child. The man would want to throttle someone before the child was born.
She stared down at the peaceful babe in her arms with such a wonderful sense of peace. In that one special moment, it was as if every ugly aspect of life didn’t exist. There was no war, no starving children on the streets of London, no violence against those who could not defend themselves. Nothing but this joyous occasion of a boy coming into the world, holding so much promise.
“He is gorgeous. When he grows up, he’ll be such a darling all the young debutantes will flock to him, andyouwon’t be able to say no to any of his requests.”
“He is adorable, isn’t he?”
“Yesterday, you were calling him a demon child.”
Iseabail’s chin rose with the pride of a mother. “Today, I know his true character.”
Phoebe returned Xavier to his mother and sat down next to the bed. “In all seriousness, I came here to discuss something with you that needs my attention.”
Iseabail’s body stiffened. “What’s wrong? If something has happened to one of my sisters, you must tell me.”
She reached for Iseabail’s hand and squeezed it tight. “Your sisters are fine.Everyoneis fine. Forrester did not want me to tell you, but I told him you needed to know the truth to understand why I must leave.”
Iseabail’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Leave? Now? You must be joking. I need you here.”
“I wish that I were, but it seems that Astley has gotten himself in a spot of trouble.”
Relief washed over Iseabail’s features. “Astley is always in trouble. It should have been his middle name.” She reached over and pulled the little blue blanket with the ducal crest embroidered in gold that she’d made for Xavier tighter around his body.
Phoebe winced. “This is different than his normal rakish naughtiness. He has been taken by Napoleon’s men and is being held for ransom.”
Iseabail’s gaze shot to Phoebe’s. “That’s not possible. What could Astley have done to end up in the hands of the French?”
“It seems he traveled to America and was on his way back when a French Naval ship captured the American schooner he was on. The ship was captained by Forrester’s cousin and he wrote Forrester and asked him to notify Astley’s family. He did not want them hearing about it from Napoleon first.”
Iseabail’s concerned features turned stoic. “Then you must go immediately. Astley may be a rake, but my family owes him everything for saving Caillen’s life.”
“Are you certain my departure won’t be too taxing on you? We should be able to return within a sennight.”
“Of course, I am. Xavier and I are fine. Astley’s family needs you now.”
“You know I would stay with you if I could, but his mother may not trust Forrester arriving with such awful news. She has been through so much, she has a hard time trusting the English. This news of Astley’s capture will devastate her.”
“I’ve been too preoccupied with my own family’s lack of acceptance by the ton to recognize any slight the earl’s family may have received.” She hesitated and then asked, “Does the Duke of Ross know?”
“No. Forrester thought Astley’s family should hear the news first.”
