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“No,” Daniel said. “No, no.”
“I’ll have to stop the bleeding.”
“Of course, do what you must,” the earl said.
“Crispin.” The countess turned her head into her husband’s shoulder, choking back sobs.
“I’m sorry,” Dr. Blake said, “but I have to ask. Is there any chance she might be breeding?”
“Of course not,” Lord Ashford said.
Daniel looked down at his feet and raked his fingers through his thick hair. “Yes,” he said, barely audibly, “there is.”
Thomas started forward. “Lybrook, I’ll throttle you!”
“Not before I do,” the earl said, holding his son back with his arm.
“Stop it, the both of you,” Lady Ashford said, motioning to Daniel. “Can’t you see this is killing him?”
“Flora, he took our daughter into his bed!” The earl said, his hands clenched into fists.
“Stop being such a barbarian,” the countess said quietly, but harshly. “You know as well as I do that Lily never would have done anything that she didn’t want to do. And have you forgotten our own courtship? We weren’t saints, as you should well recall, and by the time I was her age I was married and had a child.” She turned to her son. “As for you, I know more about your dalliances than I wish to, so just keep your mouth shut from here on. None of this helping Lily.”
“I know this is difficult,” the doctor interjected. “But I need all the facts. How far along would she be if she were breeding?”
Silence.
“Your Grace?” the doctor said again.
“I’m sorry,” Daniel said. “Days. Only days.”
“I must try to stop the bleeding. There is no other way. The method I need to use will terminate the pregnancy if there is one. However, it is likely that she has already lost the babe.”
“Just save her, damn it!” Daniel said.
“There is something else.”
“What?” Daniel yelled. “What is it?”
“If I’m unable to stop the bleeding, I’ll have no choice but to remove the womb.”
Lady Ashford gasped. “Then she won’t be able to—”
“No,” the doctor said. “She won’t be able to bear children. I’m sorry.”
“I don’t care,” Daniel said. “I don’t care. Just do what you have to do to save her life. I can’t live without her.”
“I’m sorry, Your Grace, but that decision is not yours to make. You’re not her husband yet.” He turned to the earl. “My lord, may I have your permission for the procedure?”
“Give him permission. Please,” Daniel begged. “I need her. I need her.”
“Of course, do what you must,” the earl agreed.
Lady Ashford turned to a housemaid. “Fetch the duchess at once. Tell her that her son needs her.” She went to Daniel and guided him to his leather chair. “Sit,” she said. “Come on. It will be all right.” She took his hand in hers. “She is strong, so very strong. She will be all right.”
“I can’t live without her. I can’t.”
Daniel sat, his mind numb, as Lily’s mother held his hand, massaging it lightly. Several moments later, his mother and Aunt Lucy entered.
