Luke
Tears burning her eyes, she sank down on the bed. She couldn’t believe his generosity. This sort of money could completely change her life. If she were frugal, it would allow her to live comfortably for the rest of her days.
For a bitter moment, she wondered if this was how much Gemma had received for telling the countess of her pregnancy and destroying her life.
Shaking the thought away, she held the book to her chest and drew in a deep, shuddering breath. Luke knew how much she craved security, and he had given it to her. Even though she’d always wanted to find that security with him, she saw that this was much better. She could make a rational decision now, not one motivated by desperation.
She sat there, lost in thought, trying to figure out how to fix everything that had gone wrong, until the lady’s maid came up to help her prepare for lunch at Vanessa’s. She found it very odd and uncomfortable to sit there like a doll while she was dressed and coiffed. But she endured it, still wondering what she should do with her newfound freedom and the knowledge that Gabriel was probably her son.
If only she knew for certain. But her gut feeling was not enough to go on. Not enough to hurt Gabriel, Vanessa, and Adrian. No, she must try to be patient and wait for Luke to find the proof he still sought. Maybe she was wrong about everything. Maybe her little girl was still out there waiting to be found, and she was so desperate that she’d imagined Gabriel’s resemblance to Luke.
At last, she arrived at Vanessa’s lovely townhome, smiling when Vanessa met her at the door herself, ushering her into a lovely formal sitting room. “I am so pleased you could come,” Vanessa murmured, after giving her a swift hug. “It is so nice to have a guest who isn’t a snooty society type.”
Serenity laughed at that, pleased that Adrian’s wife was so down to earth. “Thank you for having me. I am going mad alone in that big house waiting for Luke to find out what happened. My imagination is going wild, as I’m sure you can imagine.”
Vanessa nodded, just as a maid entered with a tray of tea and biscuits.
They were silent as Vanessa poured and then passed her a steaming cup and a lovely china plate with an assortment of delectable-looking biscuits.
“Thank you,” Serenity said, smiling. “I’m still not used to having so much food! I fear I’ll gain a stone before the end of the month.”
“I know exactly what you mean,” Vanessa assured her. “I doubt I’ll ever get used to it myself.”
This acknowledgment that they’d come from similar backgrounds soothed them both and gave them a kinship that Serenity hated to do anything to break.
Before they could continue their talk, Gabriel came dashing into the room, squealing with excitement. “Mama,” he cried. “Mama!”
Serenity’s heart clenched to hear him call another woman that. Her gaze eagerly drank him in as he ran to Vanessa’s side and began earnestly telling her that the cat in the stable had given birth to four kittens. As he described each one in great detail, she had to look away, for fear the longing and jealousy in her eyes would give her away.
After the story had been completed, Vanessa chuckled and sent him to the kitchen for some biscuits of his own. “Sorry for the interruption. I was so impressed by the way Anne was with her children. She never left them in the nursery except for lessons. Her sitting room was always strewn with toys and filled with laughter.” Her voice broke, and she cleared her throat. “In any event, Adrian and I wish to raise Gabriel the same way.”
“That’s very admirable and exactly what I would wish for my own child,” Serenity assured her, blinking away her own tears. “I wish I could have met Anne. She sounds lovely.”
“She was,” Vanessa agreed with a sigh. “She would hate that Morgan still hasn’t retrieved Felicity from the orphanage. I went to see him this morning. He seems to be doing better. He’s being wonderful with the other children, but he refuses to even speak of Felicity.” She shrugged helplessly. “I’m afraid that he blames Felicity somehow, for Anne’s death. I don’t know what to do.”
Serenity leaned forward and grasped her new friend’s hand. “He’s grieving, Vanessa. That child probably symbolizes the future he thought he’d have with Anne. It’s only been a week. Hopefully, he’ll come around.”
“At least she’s in good hands,” Vanessa said. “Fiona and her staff are showering that little girl with love.”
“Fiona is wonderful.” Serenity smiled at the thought of her new friend. “I am very happy to have met her.”
“Perhaps you could volunteer at the orphanage,” Vanessa mused. “It might help keep you busy until you find your own child.”
“That’s a wonderful idea,” Serenity said, nodding. “I am so glad you thought of it.” At least with Fiona, she would not have to pretend. And she had so much love inside her; giving it to those unfortunate children might help ease the ache inside of her somewhat.
