Page 23 of The Duke's Christmas Scandal
“I am so sorry about her inhospitable attitude this evening. She’s overwhelmed, you know, with Solomon going off like that. He told her it would be better if they married when he returned, but honestly, I don’t think he has any intention…” She broke off. Worry clouded her beautiful eyes.
It dawned on Ian why Grace might have recognized his name. His recent social elevation had been publicly recorded in the press from London to Edinburgh. He shifted uneasily.
Solomon Abernathy was the name of his rival for the dukedom. If he’d led Grace on with the idea of making her a duchess, then abandoned her to seek his fortune in India…
Ian shuddered at the implications. But he was not going to be the second man to abandon the Dawson women. Not at Christmas. He couldn’t answer for Abernathy’s actions, but he could help them, once he had access to all the rights and privileges due to him.
Except, he’d never mentioned that pesky detail about his dukedom to Tavi.
That did make the situation rather sticky.
“Please, sit. We’ll be ready in a few minutes.”
“How can I help?”
Unable to think of another solution, Ian busied himself helping prepare for their celebratory repast. Together, he and Tavi bustled around, setting out the fresh-baked rolls and side dishes of potatoes and cabbage. Not a fancy meal, by any stretch, but a filling one.
For two.
“Wait. I have something to share, too.” From his rucksack, Ian produced the rest of the cheese, cured meats, butter and jam.
When she saw it, Tavi made a noise of protest.
With a quick glance at the closed bedroom door, he brought his hand up and stroked his thumb along her cheek. “I can’t in good conscience take food from a new mother on Christmas, Tavi. This is barely enough for two women, never mind a man with a healthy appetite. Let me contribute.”
“But I am already in your debt,” she protested. “Several times over. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate you bringing Grace’s gift all this way, Ian.”
He was on the verge of kissing her, or inviting her to stay at an inn with him—or both, if only he could untangle his thoughts enough to say it out loud—when Grace and Noel reappeared with a grouchy slam. Tavi whirled away.
Perhaps Grace’s attitude would improve if she had a few moments to herself. If she was willing to relinquish her son for a few moments.
“May I hold him?” Ian asked, reaching for the baby. Grace reluctantly surrendered her son. It had been a long time since he’d held an infant. He was taken off-guard by the surge of need that swamped him as he inhaled the child’s briny sour milk scent. Tiny fingers curled around his thumb.
When he could tear his gaze away from Noel’s unfocused blue eyes, it went immediately to Tavi.
He wanted her at his side.
He wanted her for his duchess.
Most of all, he wanted babies. Their babies. Together.
The thought sent heat rushing through his blood. He loved Tavi. His head was spinning from how quickly it had happened, but he wasn’t going to let her walk out of his life—or ride away—a second time.
He shifted on the three-legged stool, holding himself as straight as if it were a throne.
Grace can’t stay here.
He wasn’t going to say it out loud, but the uncomfortable truth loomed over their paltry meal. She was weeks away from being able to manage those stairs. She’d be out of a home in a week, anyway, unless she had money saved to pay another month’s rent.
He was a duke. That meant he had to help Tavi’s family, even if she didn’t know about his title yet. In a couple of weeks’ time, he would be comparatively wealthy. Not by duke standards, perhaps, but definitely by theirs.
Tavi wouldn’t need to spend his savings on jewels and fine dresses. She was theperfectduchess for a dukedom that needed to be rebuilt from the ground up.
“Have you sorted out where you’ll sleep tonight, Mr. Harkness?” Grace asked. Her demeanor had grown progressively friendlier as her belly had filled. Hunger had a way of sharpening one’s temper. Sitting back in her chair, she sighed. “It’s late. If you need to stay here, Mr. Harkness, you may. We have no bed, however.”
“I might have a solution for that. If I won’t be too much of a bother.”
Grace nodded, and yawned.
