Page 106 of A Baby to Seal the Duke’s Fate

“You must take the child and go.”

Honora looked up. “Now?”

“Yes.”

She looked down at Cecily. The baby was awake, though quiet, as if she were listening to what was happening around her. Honoria’s relief at the housekeeper’s words was immediate. She was to take Cecily with her. Leopold did not intend to try to keep the baby. Perhaps he did not care as much about Cecily as Honora had imagined. Or perhaps whatever he had heard about her true identity had convinced him that he wanted nothing to do with Honora or Cecily. She was glad, whatever the case, but the relief was admittedly diluted.

She would get to take Cecily and flee as she had originally planned. But now, she was being forced out of the home she had come to love, from friends she had grown fond of, and from the man who made her soul smile each time he laughed. She would have what she had wanted all along. But she sensed that she would no longer have what she needed.

Honora swallowed. “Can I say goodbye to Martha?”

Mrs. Pritchard hesitated. “His Grace has asked that you leave now.”

Honora looked at her. There was no anger in Mrs. Pritchard’s face, only regret. Honora wondered if she even knew the reason for her sudden eviction. But she knew she did not have time to try to find out or plead her case. If Leopold wanted her gone, he would be angry if she dallied. And she did not want to make him any angrier than she already had.

Honora nodded. “Very well.”

She packed in three minutes. She took everything she had brought for herself and Cecily but hesitated when it came to the toys and clothes that had been provided for Cecily since she arrived.

Those had been purchased by Leopold, and she did not feel right about taking them. The only thing she took was some extra milk she had taken from the kitchen and saved in case Cecily woke up during the night and needed a bottle to go back to sleep.

She did not know if she could afford to purchase what Cecily would need. But when she reached her aunt, she was sure her aunt would help her until she could find more work. If Leopold does not warn all of England of my deceit, she thought woefully.

Cecily was already wrapped in her traveling cloak. Honora lifted her, and the baby rested her head against Honora’s shoulder as though nothing in the world had changed, which almost broke her.

She carried her to the door. Mrs. Pritchard stepped aside. “Come.”

Honora followed. They crossed the corridor in silence. At the bottom of the stairs, the kitchen door stood open. Honora looked toward it. Martha was inside. Their eyes met. Martha’s face changed immediately. She opened her mouth, then closed it. Honora stopped.

For one second, neither woman moved. Honora wanted to say everything. Thank you. I am sorry. I wish I could have stayed. I wish I had told the truth. I wish I had spoken to Leopold sooner. Martha looked as though she wanted to say something too. But she did not get the chance.

Mrs. Pritchard touched Honora’s arm gently. “Come.”

Honora looked at Martha one last time, then turned toward the entrance hall.

Isolde was waiting there. She stood beside a waiting carriage dressed for travel, elegant as ever, one gloved hand resting lightly on the door. Her expression was pleasant, almost sympathetic. Almost. But something in her eyes seemed calculating, dulling what might have been warmth and sincerity. It unsettled Honora, but she had no choice but to ignore it under the circumstances.

“I am sorry,” she said.

Honora stared at her.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

Isolde smiled. “Given the circumstances, I thought it best to arrange transportation.”

Honora nodded, searching for words.

“A carriage will take you to the coaching inn at the county border.” She glanced at Cecily. “And the baby, of course.”

Honora’s throat tightened. “You arranged it personally?”

“Yes.” Isolde’s smile was gentle. “It seemed the kind thing to do.”

Honora looked toward the carriage. She did not want to accept, as it felt wrong under the circumstances. But she had no money for a coach, no secure way to travel with a baby, and no other option. Only then did she realize that with no time to continue with her original plans on such short notice, she could not manage without Isolde’s offer. No matter how uncomfortable she was, she had no choice.

“Thank you,” she said quietly.

Isolde smiled. “You are welcome. Even a woman who makes mistakes deserves a little kindness.”