Page 11 of Beauty and the Rake
Graham knew from laying eyes on the babe she was his. There was no denying it. What was he supposed to do? He wasn’t going to send her off. She was his flesh and blood. Regardless of the fact he was a bachelor, he would see she was raised properly. He could send her to one of his estates with a nanny, but that would never do. They would never share a bond if he went that way.
There was no reason for decisions to be made until the doctor came. He also intended to pay Frannie a visit and see what she was about. His solicitors would draw up the papers so he would be recognized as the girl’s father. Why Frannie didn’t want thebabe was beyond his comprehension. The only thing that came to mind was that the child reminded her too much of him. That and Frannie had never voiced a desire to become a mother.
He took a long swallow of his whiskey and shut his eyes for a moment. In the blink of an eye, his life had been forever changed. Graham wondered what Roxanne would think about all of this. Why she mattered in the scheme of things, he wasn’t sure. The feelings he had for her were new to him and he didn’t want to ruin what little progress he’d made with her over this. He would need to think things through and concoct some sort of story to tell.
The doctor arrived, and while he was examining the girl, Graham paced the floor outside the door of the bedchamber. It didn’t take long, but he felt every second he waited. The doctor emerged, holding his hat in one hand and his medical bag in the other.
“By my estimate the child can’t be but a few hours old. She appears in perfect health. You’ll need a wet nurse, of course. I’ll arrange one to stop by and introduce herself to you.”
“Not necessary. As long as my cook and housekeeper are comfortable with the woman, that is good enough for me.”
“Very well. Send for me should the need arise, but as I said, the babe is in perfect health.”
Graham knew the older man wanted to know more but wasn’t about to ask him. Smart man. It was no one’s business—at least for the immediate future.
“Thank you for your discretion,” Graham said. He followed the doctor to the stairs and walked behind him down to the front reception hall.
Donning his black hat, the man nodded and left. Turning around, Graham caught the outline of the young man he’d sent to Frannie’s. Perhaps he had some news.
“Did you see her?” Graham asked.
“No, milord. Her man said she had left two weeks ago, taking all her personal belongings. She told him she was going to her sister’s to give birth. He had no further information about where her sister lived. She had hired a carriage to take her to wherever she was going instead of using the one you furnished her.”
“Very well. See if you can find out anything further. I would think someone would know something of her whereabouts.”
The man nodded. “I’ll get straight on it, milord.”
“Thank you.”
Graham had no knowledge of where any of Frannie’s family could be. He knew her parents had died years ago, when she was just a child, but that was all. No mention of siblings, cousins, or where she came from. The only thing she did let slip once was that her father had been a sailor. His attorney would have to investigate this further. If necessary, he’d have the man hire someone to look into Frannie’s background and find her, because from where he stood, she did not wish to be found.
His mind was spinning now. He had a lot to have taken care of. He would retire to his study and write what correspondence needed to be sent. It was important to get in to see the attorney.
First, he needed to see his housekeeper or Cook. The babe was going to need clothing and whatever else someone so tiny required. He took to the steps two at a time and entered the yellow bedchamber where he found his housekeeper speaking with a young woman.
“Sorry to interrupt, but I just wanted to let you know to purchase whatever is needed for the child.”
“Thank you, milord. This is Jane. She is going to be helping Cook and me out with the child until a nanny is hired.”
“She has experience with babies?”
“Yes, milord,” Jane said. “I’m the oldest of eight children. I always helped out with the younger ones, especially the babies so Ma could get things done.”
“I see. That will work until someone is found.”
“Was there anything else, milord?”
Graham shook his head. “No. I simply wanted to make sure you purchased whatever is needed.”
The babe was sleeping, but Graham could still see that shock of black hair in the cradle. He smiled and turned to leave for his study.
He sat down at his desk, took a sheet of fresh paper, and began writing, requesting to urgently see his lawyer. Once he finished, he rang for the butler, requesting the missive be delivered immediately. This was the most important thing to be done. Being named the child’s guardian as soon as possible was important as it would allow him to raise the girl in the manner she should be.
He chuckled at the thought of some of the dowagers and other older ladies of the ton getting ahold of the news that he had an infant to raise. One of dubious origins. It would be the center of gossip. There was nothing stopping that. He never paid them any mind. The whispering and looks at his next social engagement would prove quite interesting. But they would move on quickly the moment something else captured their attention. The ladies were like that. The babe would be old news, and they would move on to the next gossip.
The one they called the dragon lady would be the one who led the charge and would lead the ladies of the ton as to how to accept him now.
Which led him to his next dilemma—Roxanne and Arthur. He needed to let them in on what transpired. Neither needed to hear it through the gossips. They needed to hear it directly from him. His next letter was to Arthur. Without spilling exactly what was going on, he simply told his friend there was an urgent matter he needed to talk to him about and that Roxanne wouldneed to be informed as well. In person. A letter would simply never do.
