Page 40 of His Wicked Secret
She was such a fool to let her heart yearn for a man who kept pulling away from her. And she couldn’t help but think of what would happen tonight. Would he come to her room if she didn’t go to his? He just might.
Her sister eased down onto the seat beside her, carefully leaning back a little so she could rest. “Audrey.”
“Yes?”
“Is everything all right? I’m worried about you.” Her sister covered one of her hands and squeezed it delicately.
“Worried about me?”
“Yes. I thought you and Jonathan would be, well, making an announcement soon. I’ve been doing my best to help you both along.”
She laughed bitterly. “I’ve noticed. But he and I together? That will never happen.”
Horatia’s eyes widened. “Why not? I knew you were attracted to him, and Lucien says he was quite infatuated with you.”
“Lucien is mistaken. Jonathan finds me nothing more than a childish, naïve nuisance.”
Her sister suddenly grinned. “I can assure you he doesn’t think that.”
Audrey couldn’t believe she was having this discussion. She’d helped her sister and Lucien fall in love, just as she had many others; she didn’t need to be told whether a man was interested in her or not.
Horatia reached up and brushed a lock of Audrey’s hair from her cheek. In that moment, Horatia reminded Audrey very much of their mother. She’d been a child when they’d been orphaned, and most of her memories had faded, but she could never forget their mother’s kind eyes.
“Men are complex creatures,” Horatia said. “Sometimes they fight their desires for the silliest of reasons. Lucien didn’t think he deserved me, and he was so worried about Cedric.” Horatia paused, frowning. “Well, I suppose he was right to be worried about our brother. But my point is, if Jonathan is treating you a certain way, it may be because he feels unworthy or afraid to be loved. You mustn’t give up.” Horatia embraced her as best she could, given her swollen belly. Audrey hugged her back, knowing her sister was trying to be helpful, but she didn’t believe her.
“I am lucky to have you as my sister.” Being so young, she had often looked to Horatia as a mother, even though Horatia had only been fourteen and Audrey twelve. Cedric had essentially become their father. And now both her siblings were married, with children of their own on the way.
“You mustn’t say such things!” Horatia wiped at teary eyes. “Ever since I became with child, I cry at every little thing.”
Audrey giggled. “I’m sorry!”
Horatia suddenly winced and clutched her stomach. “Audrey - you must fetch Lucien. I think…oh dear…” She looked down and turned red as a ripe strawberry. “Fetch Lucien now!” she rasped. Fear, stark and vivid, glittered in Horatia’s eyes.
Terror swept through Audrey. Something was wrong, something with the baby.
Oh no, please no. It’s too soon!
“I’m not leaving you. Gillian!” Audrey waved her friend over, and the maid reached them, her face pale.
“The baby is coming, isn’t it?” Gillian asked.
Horatia whimpered. “Yes. Been having pains all day… But now my water has broken.”
“Water?” Audrey asked, not understanding.
“Stay with her,” Gillian ordered. “I’ll find Lord Rochester.”
“I need to get upstairs and lie down.” Horatia rose from the couch, and Audrey supported her. Every woman in the room watched Horatia with concern, and many offered to help her upstairs. As they moved through the corridor, Audrey kept talking to her, trying to keep her calm.
“Don’t worry. The doctor will be here before you know it. Everyone will be so excited to meet the baby. What a fun way to start a house party!” She hoped her sister wouldn’t hear the false note of cheerfulness in her tone.
“But he’s early,” Horatia whispered. “Too early.”
“Yes, but he will be fine, I’m certain of it.” Audrey shifted her arm around her sister’s waist as they reached the top of the stairs and then walked to the door of her chambers. “Should you lie down?”
“I don’t know…” As if driven by instinct, Horatia lunged for her bed. “Yes, yes, I need to lie down for now.” She moaned as she experienced another pain. Once they had her lying down on the bed she managed to relax, but each time she experienced a new pain she would thrash, lean forward, and huff out breaths before crying and falling back into the pillows. Audrey knelt at the side of the bed. She gripped her sister’s hand, terror still rippling through her, but her sister didn’t seem to notice.
Gillian found them a minute later, a pair of maids following on her heels. The maids worked quickly to help Horatia out of her gown and her stays.
