Historical Romance – The Best Of The Year. Кэрол Мортимер

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      ‘In three weeks.’

      ‘Gwen has invited us to join her in Brighton.’

      ‘Impossible,’ he said shortly.

      She accepted this, but he must have observed her disappointment for he added in a kinder tone, ‘Perhaps next year. Dr Harris is very good, but I should like you to have the services of my father’s medical man, a very experienced doctor. He delivered both of my sister’s children. Ribblestone’s country seat, Fairlawns, is but five miles from Rotham and Gwen will vouch for him, I am sure. That is, have you told her that you are increasing?’

      ‘Yes, but I swore her to secrecy.’

      He gave a wry smile. ‘Then I doubt it will remain a secret much longer.’ He pushed back his chair. ‘If you are in agreement, then I shall write to my father today and tell him we shall be at Rotham by the middle of July.’

      What could she say? It was good of him to pretend she had a choice.

      * * *

      When Gwen heard that they were going to Rotham she screwed her face up in distaste. Dominique blinked away a rogue tear that threatened her eye.

      ‘Gideon says I am to stay there until the baby is born.’

      ‘Six months! You poor thing.’ Gwen added quickly, ‘I am sure he is thinking of your well-being, my love.’

      ‘He says the doctor there is very good.’

      ‘Oh, yes, indeed, you will like Dr Bolton, I am sure. Did Gideon tell you he delivered my babies? Perhaps if he had been our doctor when Mama was carrying that last child...’

      ‘What happened?’ asked Dominique.

      Gwen sighed. ‘When we were young Mama was never well. She was always enceinte, or recuperating after a miscarriage. She had six more children after Gideon, but they all died within hours. Not that she ever complained. I believe she loved my father passionately. But the last time she was brought to bed she did not recover. Papa was heartbroken. I did not understand at the time why he should blame himself, but now that I am married I understand that a man can be too...physical.’ Gwen blushed.

      ‘And when did she die?’

      ‘Oh, it must be twelve years since. It was a bad time, we were all at Rotham, we all knew her suffering.’

      ‘Poor lady,’ murmured Dominique. ‘Perhaps Gideon really is concerned for my health.’

      ‘How can you think otherwise? You are still fretting over your cousin’s words, is that it? You are worried Gideon wants to be a bachelor again. I do not think he has any such intention.’

      ‘He did say he had outgrown Max and his circle,’ said Dominique, hopefully.

      ‘I am sure he has.’ Gwen said slowly, ‘Gideon’s wildness in recent years was more a rebellion against Papa, I think. You see, after Mama died Father changed. I was engaged to Ribblestone at the time, so I never suffered too much from his melancholy, and James, too, was of age and spent most of his time in town, but poor Gideon—Papa tried to turn him into a pattern card. It became even worse when James was murdered in Paris, and then Tante Gwendoline and the duc were guillotined. Gideon remained at Rotham, Father said it was his duty, now he was the heir, but the constraint irked him a great deal. It was no wonder that when he inherited a small fortune he took the opportunity to escape to town. He spent recklessly and seemed intent on committing every folly imaginable...’ She smiled. ‘So you see, my love, marriage to you could well be the making of my brother!’

      * * *

      Dominique clung on to that small ray of hope as she prepared to leave London. It was not to be expected that her interesting condition would remain a secret, although Gwen had assured her sister-in-law that she had told only her closest friends. By July it was all over town and Dominique had to accustom herself to beaming smiles and knowing looks. She saw Raymond Lamotte occasionally, but afforded him no more than a distant bow. She was still very angry with Max, but thankfully the one time they met she had Gideon by her side.

      They were attending a musical recital and she was coming out of the supper room on Gideon’s arm when the earl appeared before them.

      ‘Martlesham.’

      As Gideon bowed she made her curtsy to the earl.

      ‘Good evening, Albury. Cousin.’ He held on to her fingers after kissing them. ‘I understand I am to congratulate you.’

      ‘Thank you, Max.’ She withdrew her hand as she gave him a glittering smile. He responded with one equally false.

      ‘It explains why you can do no wrong in your husband’s eyes at present.’

      Gideon gave a soft laugh.

      ‘You are thinking of our embrace in St James’s Street.’ He pulled her hand on to his arm again and patted it. ‘An outrageous display of affection in public, of course, but I could not help myself.’

      ‘Could you not?’ Max’s lip curled. ‘I thought it might be for my benefit.’

      ‘Good Gad, no,’ exclaimed Gideon, recoiling artistically. ‘Whatever gave you that idea?’

      ‘Oh, I don’t know,’ returned Max, considering. ‘I think it was something Lamotte said to me.’

      Dominique froze. A furious retort rose to her lips, but Gideon’s hand was still covering hers and he gave it the slightest squeeze. She remained silent.

      ‘Ah, yes, Monsieur Lamotte.’ Gideon’s voice was quiet, silky, but no less menacing. ‘Odd that you should deny him one day and the next he is a friend.’

      ‘I should say he is more of an acquaintance.’

      ‘A charming young man,’ said Gideon lightly. ‘But French, you know. He is unfamiliar with the way we do things here, especially when it comes to husbands. They can be the most unaccountable creatures, you see.’

      ‘Can they?’

      Max sounded wary and, casting a quick glance at Gideon, Dominique thought that despite his pleasant tone his eyes had never been so menacing.

      ‘Oh, yes,’ he said softly. ‘I did not realise it until I became one myself, but it seems now that if anyone should try to harm my wife, or even to upset her, then I should be obliged to wreak the most terrible vengeance. I just couldn’t help myself.’

      Despite the noise and chatter of the room, a dangerous silence hung around the two men. Dominique could feel the tension and remained still, not daring to do anything that might precipitate violence. At last Max gave her a tight smile.

      ‘You are to be congratulated, Cousin, you have found yourself an admirable protector. I wish you joy of your bulldog.’

      With a curt nod he stalked past them.

      ‘Do you think he understood you?’ she asked as they continued back to the music room.

      ‘Oh, yes,’ murmured Gideon. ‘I think he understood СКАЧАТЬ