Damned Saint (Blessed Sinner Book 2) by Rowe Tracy

Author:Rowe, Tracy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-10-23T00:00:00+00:00

“You must know I cannot keep this from your father,” Dr. Graham said, his face in a stern frown.

“Please,” Abigail begged and clutched his hands in hers. “I beg you not to reveal my condition. Give me more time to prepare them.”

“More time?” he asked incredulously. “My dear girl, you’re four months gone. You have perhaps a few weeks before your condition will be revealed. In all truth, I’m dashed to know how you’ve kept it secret this long. That notwithstanding, it is my duty to report my diagnosis to your father.”

“They’ll send me away…” she whispered.

“It is not my place to condemn you,” he said, and none too politely. “But you must know that your circumstance is intolerable. Sending you away would be the kindest thing your family could do.” He gathered his things together and turned to the door. “Now, I must take my leave,” he said. “Good day to you.”

Adelaide peeked into the room. “May I come in?” she asked.

“I’ll go make my report to your husband,” Doctor Graham said. He nodded to her as he made his way out.

Adelaide sat beside her daughter and brushed her cheek. She rested her palm on Abigail’s face.

“Oh, my girl,” she sighed. “You were always one to rush headlong into trouble. How far along are you?”

Of all the things her mother might have said, this was the least expected.

“Mama?” she asked in surprise.

“I’ve borne seven children. It isn’t difficult to discern the signs,” she answered.

Adelaide pressed her hand to her daughter’s skirts and her suspicions were confirmed by the slightly rounded belly she felt beneath them.

“Abigail, I’m at my wit’s end. I can hardly find the words to express my disappointment. You must know your father will not allow this. But what’s done is done, and he’ll know soon. We must decide what you are to do.”

The words had scarcely left Adelaide’s mouth, with no time to form a plan of any kind, when the door was forcefully thrust open, and Henry burst into the room. White faced, he glanced furiously from mother to daughter.

“Adelaide…!” he spluttered. “I will not have it! I will not have this! Not again!”

“Papa…I…”

“No, Abigail. NO! Who is it? Who is the father of this child?”

His question hung in the air, the only sound in the room the rasp of his heated breath. It wasn’t possible to tell him, Abigail was certain of that now. Were he to know her child was fathered by the man he considered a brother, the news would be too disastrous for words. She could only predict what his reaction might be, and the murderous look in his eyes was evidence enough to prove that it was best she keep her silence.

His daughter’s refusal to speak had no more effect than to provoke Henry’s anger. Against his will, he raised his hand to strike her.

“Tell me!” he shouted as he hovered over her in a violent stance.

“No! Henry!” Adelaide leapt between them, her hand pressed against his chest to push him away.

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