Page 32 of Under the Champagne Moon
“Danced with the fellow twice. A common laborer.”
“A common laborer who might find himself a job as a land steward soon. Lady Ixworth and I were there,” Sherington said. “There was nothing untoward about it.” He poured his own tea and looked up. “Very kind of Miss Hardouin to spend the evening with Helena so Cora could attend.”
She’d been needed here. How could he fault her for not staying to speak with him?
Hope rose in him. He would try again, soon, after this baby was born.
Turning, he paced to the window. But if it was a girl, what were they to do? He couldn’t in good conscience promise to provide for all of them. Perhaps if he took Sherington’s offer they could all live at the Manor. He’d have to give up his dreams of vineyards, but he’d have Fleur. Dear Fleur.
But… what had Sherington said about a land steward? Was he thinking of hiring Haskell if Gareth didn’t want the position?
Oh hell. That would set Haskell up well to marry Cora. How could he interfere with their happiness?
“Tea’s too strong,” Morledge complained. “What kind of staff does Helena employ?”
He itched to snatch the fellow up by his neck cloth. “I made the tea.” Gareth cameand loomed over the oaf’s chair. “It’s just like the tea we served in the officer’s mess. I say, Morledge, why are you here, anyway?”
Morledge spluttered into his cup, grabbed a napkin and wiped at his mouth.
“Damned nuisance for the family having you lurking about, waiting for this babe. Your presence won’t make a damn bit of difference.”
Sherington nodded and sat back in chair, steepling his fingers and watching the other man stutter for words.
“Are we in some medieval mystery play?” Gareth said. “Are we worried someone will slip in a male child? A peasant boy to take the king’s crown?”
“I don’t have to answer to you. Why the devil are you here, Captain?”
“Friend of the family,” Gareth said.
“Well, Iamfamily. I’m the heir.And I want you gone.”
“No. Captain Ardleigh is here at my request.” Sherington’s tone was affable. “If you’ll remember, Morledge, I’m both the Justice of the Peace and a guardian to Bicton-Morledge’s children. Captain Ardleigh will stay.”
“Now see here, Sherington. You threw me out once?—”
“And I’ll do it again.”
A tap came at the parlor door. Haskell’s muscular bulk was framed in the doorway.
Gareth was glad to see him. Haskell had no cause to be an ally of Morledge.The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
“Ah, Haskell,” Sherington said. “Come in.”
“We didn’t hear the door knocker,” Morledge said.
“We came in through the kitchens.” Haskell stepped aside, and Gareth recognized the woman from the tent, Haskell’s sister with the same sleeping baby, a child several months old.
“Sadie,” Sherington said, “did they send for you already?”
“Yes sir,” she said, bobbing a curtsey. “Reckon it will be soon.”
“What’s this?” Morledge stood. “You make jokes about substituting a male child, and see what we have here?—”
“This here’s my baby girl.” Sadie lifted her chubby chin. “Any soul with a brain knows a ten-month-old from a newborn.”
Gareth bit down on a grin.
While Sherington made introductions, Gareth picked up the tea tray. “I’ll just replenish these and maybe there’ll be news.”
