Only then did recognition strike with the force of a thrown candlestick, straight to his chest.
“Lady Rose?” he asked, his voice unsure.
“You didn’t even recognize me,” she scoffed.
The cut of her voice prickled.
“Lady Rose Whiteridge,” he said, his words surer a second time.
She met his eyes at last, and he felt his chest tighten. “I see your memory is as reliable as your sense of honor.”
“I didn’t expect to find you here,” he said. “With this child. At St. Clement’s.”
Lady Rose shrugged, her face all brittle edges. “Life is full of surprises. You may finish your business with the Mother Superior and be on your way.”
Mother Superior moved with measured authority, spine unbending as she interrupted. “Your Grace,” she said. “You have caught us at a most delicate time. As you see, the child is well-cared for at the moment. Whatever matter of guardianship you wish to raise, I trust it can be resolved through theproperchannels.”
Felix’s patience snapped. He crossed to the desk with a single stride and produced a small chamois-leather purse. It landed on the ledger with a weighty thunk.
“A gesture of goodwill. For the novices, or for roof repairs, or whatever needs it most,” he said.
Mother Superior pocketed the offering in a drawer and locked it with a swift, practiced motion. When she looked up, her smile was smoother. She tapped the desktop with two knuckles. “If the child belongs to you, I see no reason to keep her from you, Your Grace.”
Lady Rose’s mouth dropped open. “You cannot possibly—you told me she could stay.”
“I told you she could stay in yourcare,” Mother Superior said, with the serenity of someone who had never once contradicted herself in her own estimation. “His Grace presents a rather different set of circumstances.”
“His Grace,” Lady Rose said through clenched teeth, “presents himself without invitation and expects the world to reorganize accordingly. That is not a separate set of circumstances. That is a pattern of behavior.”
Felix had to stifle an amused laugh. “I assure you, Your Reverence, I mean no disruption to your nunnery.”
“Of course not.” Mother Superior smoothed the front of her habit. “A man of your station, naturally, would never seek to disrupt a place of calm and serenity. We are grateful for your concern for the child’s welfare.”
Lady Rose stared at her. “You cannot be serious.”
“Rose.” The older woman’s voice dropped to its administrative tone, the one that ended conversations. “You will mind yourself.”
“I am minding myself. I am minding myself considerably.” She turned to Felix, who was watching her with curiosity. “You walked in here ten minutes ago. You act as if you understand this situation fully, but I sincerely doubt you even know this child’s name.”
“Her mother called her Lizzie,” Felix retorted. “I know that much at least.”
He extended his hands, indicating he wanted Lady Rose to give him the child.
She stepped away from him hurriedly. “Don’t,” Lady Rose breathed as she shifted the bundle away from him, her knuckles whitening against the swaddling cloth.
Mother Superior rose from behind the desk with the deliberate motion of someone removing themselves from a problem they have already solved. “Might I suggest, Your Grace, that a privateword with Lady Rose may be the most efficient path forward. I find that women of strong feeling benefit from the opportunity to?—”
“I am standing here,” Lady Rose said.
“To express themselves fully before reaching a sensible conclusion.” She moved toward the door with the unhurried authority. “I shall be just down the hall.”
The door clicked shut behind her.
“Well… I imagine,” Felix began. “…you’re not here of your own accord.”
She turned, her jaw set. “What does it matter?”
“I should have called,” he said, surprising even himself. “After our dance at the ball.”
