The Scottish Duke by Karen Ranney

Author:Karen Ranney
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2016-11-29T05:00:00+00:00

Perhaps there was a place in Heaven where mothers go to be lectured. The admonitions would only last an hour or two, Louise was certain. After a respectable amount of time, and a genuine, soul-wrenching confession, the mother would be led away to the main part of Heaven and fitted with a pair of angel wings.

At least that’s the way she thought it should be.

She’d lied to Lorna. In addition, she had every intention of lying to her son. The result was worth any amount of chicanery. The child soon to be born must be a Russell.

She sent Peter for the midwife, and when the woman arrived she motioned her into the bedroom.

“Dr. McElwee will be here soon. If he needs to examine her, I’d like you to remain in the room with Lorna.”

“Aye, Your Grace.”

Louise turned and studied Lorna’s face. The poor dear was dozing. Lorna had some rough hours ahead of her. Russell babies were always large and birthing them wasn’t easy.

“I’ll return in a little while,” she said, leaving the bedroom.

To her surprise, both Dr. McElwee and Alex were in the parlor. Nan was making tea, while Peter was standing at attention as if ready to take orders from Alex at any moment.

“Would you see to her, Dr. McElwee?”

After exchanging a few words with the doctor, she motioned to Alex, grabbed her shawl, and left the cottage, walking some distance down the road toward Blackhall.

“If you wanted to go home,” he said, striding toward her, “why didn’t you take the carriage?”

“I wanted to talk to you. Alone. With no one to overhear.”

She turned to face him and took a deep breath, praying for the wisdom to say the perfect words to convince him.

Alex speared his fingers through his hair.

“Is she going to be all right?” he asked. “This won’t be like Ruth, will it?”

She frowned at him. “Of course not.”

“How do you know?”

“I just know.”

“Did you feel that way about Ruth?” he asked.

“Alex, Lorna’s going to be fine.”

He nodded but didn’t look reassured. “Is she afraid? She never mentioned that she was to me. I know you two have grown close in the last weeks. Did she say anything to you?”

“No, she didn’t, and I think she would have if she were. Alex, it’s all right.” She placed her hand on his arm. “Truly, it will be. In the meantime, we need to make plans.”

“Plans?”

“You have to marry her, Alex. We haven’t much time. Lorna’s labor is well-advanced.” When he didn’t comment, she said, “Do you want your child born illegitimate?”

“Of course not,” he said. “I had this idea that I could petition the court after the fact, but that’s not practical, is it?”

“No, it isn’t.”

He nodded again. “It would necessitate the world knowing his status, of course. I’d be dragging his name and his reputation through the mud. Yes, he might be legitimized, but at what cost? He’d be known as the Bastard Duke. That’s unacceptable.”

Folding his arms, he stared off down the road to Blackhall.

“Even the word is ugly, Mother.

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