Hearts That Survive by Yvonne Lehman

Author:Yvonne Lehman
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781426744884
Publisher: Abingdon press
Published: 2012-02-07T22:00:00+00:00

40

Lydia knew she had made the right decision. Knowing also that she could be impulsive, she would wait for the right moment. Perhaps at dinner. No, after dinner. Caroline would be overcome with shock. The joyful kind. They could plan together how to work this out.

Caroline would give a child her undivided attention and raise him or her just right. And Lydia could be a part of the child's life. Perhaps, Aunt Lydia. There would be some kind of legal paper drawn up so that at the right time the child would be heir or heiress to the Beaumont fortune.

They'd have to do that secretly. Get an attorney from some obscure place. Craven must never know. Not for eighteen or so years, anyway.

At the same time she was facing reality, her heart felt heavy. She must ask herself what John would think. She was not married. He would not want her or his child labeled. He would want the best. Caroline was the best.

As they left the park, Caroline said, "Lydia, it's so good to see you smiling again. This was good for us. I'm glad you suggested it."

"Well, there's more," she teased. "Let's have dinner in my suite." She looked at Bess. "The three of us. I have something special planned." She had another thought. "It goes perfectly with champagne for the celebration."

Caroline looked skeptical. "You're going to make a dessert?"

Lydia scoffed, "Never. But you'll see."

They became like children. Even Bess managed a laugh. Lydia thought Bess would be in her element again as a nursemaid or nanny. They would be . . . all right.

After arriving back at the hotel, the expected knock sounded on her door. "I trust you had an enjoyable day," Craven said.

Without him, he might have added.

"Very," she said, "facing reality."

"I'm glad. Would you like to have dinner with me and tell me all about it?"

"I have other plans." Indeed she did! And she didn't have to explain. "Thank you."

Observing his studied appraisal, she stepped back to close the door and held her breath, half expecting him to yank her into his room and demand to know where she had gone and what she had done.

However, he said, "I'm having dinner in the hotel dining room with several men." He turned, and she watched him walk purposefully, heading toward the elevator.

By dinnertime she, Caroline, and Bess had each changed into comfortable dresses and now sat at the table, where dinner was brought up. "And what did you two do for the rest of the afternoon?" Lydia asked.

Caroline was hesitant. "You may not want to hear this, but we read the newspapers again. The hearing is being reported. There's a big article about Craven in the afternoon paper."

Lydia started to say Caroline was right. She didn't want to hear it. But this was a new day. A new beginning. She would face things like a mature woman. "Yes, I'd like to hear it."

While they ate, Caroline talked about the articles. "Most men who survived are portrayed as villains, like Ismay.

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