Page 34 of Yielding to Love

“Next week, I think,” Jasper said. He glanced at Vanessa, then away.

Vanessa said, “It probably depends upon whether Georgiana feels up to traveling.”

“Ah.” Crispin hesitated. Was Vanessa comfortable discussing this? He barreled ahead. “Is she not well?”

“She is with child,” Vanessa said. “And I am envious, but not upset, so you needn’t tiptoe around me.”

Jasper put in, “We are not upset, but we are concerned.” His face reddened. “You see…ah…we thought you might have a talk with Reg.”

“A talk?” What the devil? The only thing to say to Reg was congratulations.

Vanessa said, “You were not here for this bit of drama, but Georgiana was nursing Arthur herself.”

Odd for a duke’s daughter, but Crispin didn’t see why that would cause drama. Or, God forbid, why he should talk to Reg about it. “And?”

Jasper said, “I thought it was because they are so absurdly frugal. But when they came to London for Livvy’s wedding, they had a wet nurse.”

“And Georgiana showed every sign of being with child again.”

“I’m not following,” Crispin said. “This is not in my bailiwick.”

Vanessa signed impatiently. “It is a common belief that nursing mothers cannot conceive.”

“Is that true?” Crispin asked.

“Obviously not.”

“The point is,” Jasper said, “Vanessa thinks they were hoping to spread out their children more.”

“It would be safer for Georgiana. A baby every year takes a toll.”

“All right. I can see that. But what does this have to do with me?”

After a pause, Jasper said in an embarrassed rush, “I don’t think Reg knows about French letters. Someone needs to tell him. And I don’t think it should be me.”

“What?” This had grown awkward fast.

“Think, Crispin. It will look like I’m telling him to stop having children until Vanessa and I manage to have one.”

He almost said, no it won’t. That’s absurd. But they both were red-faced and looking at the floor.

Bloody hell. He’d thought he was done with solving his brothers’ problems for them. He was happy to play the sage when he could. But, to his embarrassment, he didn’t know much about French letters. He knew what they were: “cock armor.” But he had never used one. Whores had their own tricks to prevent babies, a fact for which he was infinitely grateful.

“I don’t know…” But their whole supposition was based on shaky evidence. So Reg and Georgiana had hired a wet nurse. Maybe they did so because they wanted another child right away. How idiotic it would be to take Reg aside and lecture him if there was no need. Then he felt a whoosh of relief. “If Georgiana is increasing, it’s too late. If this is still a concern after Arthur’s sibling appears, I’ll talk to Reg.”

“Unless you’re in Paris,” Jasper said.

Crispin sighed. “Then you will have to talk to him.” Dread of that discussion was enough to send him to Paris. He stood. “Now, if you’ll permit me, Vanessa, I’m going to go raid your kitchen.”

*

Mother returned two days later. Reg and Georgiana did not. Mother explained that Arthur had a cough, and they did not want to subject him to travel until he was better. Crispin watched Jasper and Vanessa exchange significant glances. He just shook his head.

Yet August rolled on, and still, they did not come. Four weeks, and Crispin grew restless.

He couldn’t explain his dissatisfaction. After all, he’d spent those weeks doing all of his favorite Chaumbers things. He rode Mercury around the property. He raced Olivia, the best horsewoman he knew. She had a splendid new mare, a gift from Jasper, that she’d named Winner. Crispin called her Second Place. Olivia pretended to be furious. It should have been more fun than it was.

He spent time lazing about the folly, a simulated medieval abbey. He enjoyed it more when Olivia brought Hannah to play among the ruins. Hannah still called him “Major,” but she also called Jasper “Milord” and Mother “Lady,” so he didn’t feel singled out as a stranger, even though he was one.