Page 60 of The Duke of Deceit

Then Jess held her at arm’s length and dropped a critical glance over her, fearing the worst.

“Are you all right?” She wasn’t able to see any kind of large bulge beneath her sister’s layers of high-waist skirts and long travel coat, but then, she wouldn’t. The dress and coat were purposefully large, her skirts overfull, all to hide any glimpse of her belly. With concern, Jess lowered her voice so Simms couldn’t overhear. “Is the baby…?”

“I’m fine.” Amanda gave her a reassuring—if tired—smile. “We both are.”

“Thank God.” Her shoulders sagged as relief swept over her. Then she impulsively hugged her sister again and half-laughed into her ear. “I was worried that something had gone terribly wrong to bring you back home so soon.” So unexpectedly, without telling her and Aunt Matilda, too, and traveling alone in her condition. Jess didn’t know whether to kiss her for her being courageous or shake her for being foolish. “But why are you here?”

“Because something has gone terribly wrong.”

Jess stiffened in her sister’s arms, then slowly stepped back. From beneath the brim of her straw bonnet, Amanda’s face darkened into a drawn somberness that sent prickles of fresh worry spinning through Jess.

“What is it?” she whispered, afraid of the answer even as she asked the question.

“You.” Amanda’s lips pursed together. “Or rather—me.” She wrapped her arms around her middle as if attempting to protect her unborn child. Jess had never seen her sister look so small and vulnerable before. “That is…what I led you to believe about the Duke of Crewe.”

Jess’s mind reeled. Before she could think to put together a coherent question, Amanda stepped away and turned her smile onto Simms. She removed her bonnet and coat and handed them to the butler, who couldn’t hide his happiness that she had returned, even if he had no idea of the truth of her situation. They had kept the baby secret from everyone except Auntie and their cousins in Ireland, including their servants. If any of the staff suspected Amanda’s predicament, none of them dared gossip about it, especially Simms, who adored Amanda and would protect her however he could.

“I am exhausted from traveling,” she said, placing a beseeching hand on his arm. Amanda had always been the butler’s favorite of the two sisters and so was allowed liberties that Jess would never be granted. “Would you ask Cook to make up a little tray of refreshments for me and send it to my room? I’d also like to have water heated for a bath, if it’s not too much trouble. And could you please take my bags up to my room?”

“Of course, Miss,” Simms answered and turned smartly to leave. He would see to all of that, Jess knew.

Just as she knew her sister had made all those requests to give them time alone to talk in private.

As soon as the door closed after him, Amanda took Jess’s hands and led her to the settee. Concern panged in her chest as she settled onto the cushions next to her sister. Oh, this could not be good!

“What’s the matter?” Jess whispered. “Tell me.”

“I received your letters. You were very thoughtful to write to me.” Amanda kept her gaze firmly fixed on their joined hands on the cushion between them. “I don’t deserve a sister as wonderful and caring as you.”

Oddly, that compliment stung more than it flattered. “I only want—”

“Or one as lovingly misguided.”

Thatcertainly stung. Jess tried to pull her hands away, but Amanda held firm.

“No—I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be cross.” She gave an apologetic squeeze to Jess’s fingers. “It’s just—your letters when you—” She pulled in a deep breath and straightened her shoulders with resolve. “You need to leave Lucien Grenier alone. He didn’t do what I led you to believe.”

Her body flashed numb, and her lips parted, stunned, as she stared at Amanda.

Lucien had been telling the truth all along, which meant… “You lied to me,” Jess whispered, barely louder than a breath.

Guilt marred Amanda’s face. “I did, and I will never be able to forgive myself for losing your trust. Can you ever bring yourself to forgive me?”

“That depends.” When Amanda’s watery eyes lifted to meet hers, Jess demanded more than asked, “What really happened?”

Amanda pushed herself to her feet. In the month since she’d been away, her middle had grown bigger, and now Jess could see how it had begun to affect her movements. But of course it would. Before this was all over, everything about her life would change.

“I met a wonderful man,” Amanda confessed softly, “at the museum lecture about Lord Elgin’s marbles last winter. He was kind and intelligent in a quiet way that drew me to him. We spent the rest of the afternoon talking, and by the time I left, I knew…” A happy but troubled light brightened her eyes. “I was in love. So was he. We began to spend time together whenever we could, wherever we could…meetings in the park, at galleries and shops…” She paused, as if carefully selecting her words, “And then, one evening, when we had both been invited to the same party, we sneaked away into the garden, and we…”

Made love.Amanda didn’t have to finish the sentence. Jess heard it as surely as if her sister had shouted it into the wind.

Amanda put her hand on her belly and began to slowly pace. She stared at the rug, not lifting her gaze. “Two months later, when I’d again missed my courses, I knew…”

“In March?” Just in time for Lady Hawthorne’s ball. Jess’s skin grew cold as the icy truth about that night settled over her. She hadn’t seen at all what she’d thought.

Amanda confirmed that with a curt nod.

“So Lucien didn’t compromise you,” Jess whispered. Good Lord, he’d been telling her the truth this whole time, and she hadn’t believed him. “But I saw…”