True Love for the Reluctant Earl by Eleanor Keating

Author:Eleanor Keating
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

The night was unpolluted with the displeasing smells from the city, and Adelaide breathed deeply of the fresh, cool air. A shiver ran down her back as the chill breeze ruffled her dress and caressed her exposed skin. It would have been nice to have her shawl, but she had left the drawing room in such a hurry that she had forgotten it.

At the time of her exit, turbulent thoughts of Edward hiding a daughter from her had kept her more than warm enough to withstand a little cool air. But after being outside for a few minutes, she had cooled off quickly, both in her mind and outwardly.

Hugging herself, she walked across to the steps to leave behind the scant light from the interior hallway. The view of the stars was always better when she stood in darkness, and she wanted to stargaze for a few moments to calm her worries and doubts.

Bracing against another swirl of cold breeze, she looked heavenward. Is it possible to ever reconcile such a breach of trust? she wondered. How bad would it be if he does have a daughter? But what of the child’s mother? Does he still love her, visit her …? She wrenched her mind away from such a dismal prospect.

Shaking her head, she sighed. A daughter, in herself, is not that bad, she thought. No matter the circumstances of her birth, a little child is a treasure, and innocent. But if Edward had only been forthcoming with the information himself and I had not found out through the likes of Maria Lewis. How irksome to be made fun of in public by her, and now for the tittle-tattle about it to rush through the ton. Adelaide’s cheeks flamed anew.

Of course, her father and mother would have a very different opinion about the child. No matter if she were legitimate or not, as Edward’s daughter, she would sully the unblemished fresh start of a marriage between Adelaide and Edward, and give the ton more fodder for gossip. Furthermore, if the child were not legitimate, she was, in the eyes of many, a creature of sin. Adelaide’s mother would be horrified at the very notion of seeing the child, as though her base condition were contagious.

Besides, Adelaide reminded herself, the man lied by omission. Lied to me, and then took me in his arms and kissed me as if he were in love. But how could he be in love, if he lied so easily? Surely love is honest and true, not built upon deceit.

A man who could keep his own child a secret was not a good man, in her opinion. What kind of father would do such a thing to an innocent child? Where was the child? Had he abandoned her?

Anger and sadness battled in her mind and heart. A shooting star streaked over the darkened horizon, and she wondered where it had gone to. Was it like her fantasy of Edward? Had it flown from its troubled life to burn out and die somewhere far away? She thought, yes.

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