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“She would not tell you.” She strode out of the room and called for one of the maids. After a quick conversation, she walked back into the room and sat down.
“Oh dear,” she fretted and stared down at her fingers.
“What is wrong?”
“I spoke with Lucy. Mia hasn’t started yet.”
“Why is that an issue?”
“I know my daughter’s cycle, my lord. If she hasn’t had her flow yet, she is at least five days late... maybe more.”
Simon raked his fingers through his hair. He could not believe the topic of conversation he was having with Mia’s mother. Mia would be mortified if she ever discovered it.
He blew out a long breath. This had been his only chance to get her to agree to marry him. She would never accept his proposal and honestly, he knew he couldn’t marry her until after she gave birth. It was his obligation to have an heir. He couldn’t let some other man’s child have that right. He pounded his fist so hard on the desk Mrs. Featherstone jumped.
“I’m sorry, my lord.”
“Why hasn’t she told me?”
“If I were her, I would want to be certain. There is still the chance that she is just late.”
“How often does that happen?”
Mrs. Featherstone shrugged. “A traumatic event like she experienced could be enough to make her body react differently. I have seen it in other women.”
“How long?”
“There is no way to determine how long. Every woman would react differently. ” Mrs. Featherstone stared at him. “Would you like me to talk to her about it? She might already know but not be willing to say what she believes is true.”
Simon shook his head. “No. She will inform me when she’s ready.”
“I am truly sorry, my lord.” Mrs. Featherstone slowly rose from her seat. “I had hoped you would become my son-in-law. You are a fine young man.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Featherstone.” Simon stared down at the ledgers on his desk. “Mrs. Featherstone, before you leave, can you tell me something?”
She stopped just before the door and turned around. “Of course, my lord.”
“Where did she learn to do her figures so well? She looked at my books for an hour or two today and found several discrepancies I missed.” It still amazed him that she had done in an hour what took him half a day.
Mrs. Featherstone smiled proudly. “That girl was always remarkable with her mathematics. Her father had been a steward for Mr. Singer in Suffolk before we married. Her father taught her everything he knew and then brought in a tutor for her. Tia must have taken after me because she could never do the sums Mia did. Half the time, she does it in her head with no pencil.”
If he had only known Mr. Featherstone had been a steward, Simon might not be in the predicament he currently stood. “Why didn’t your husband tell me he had been a steward?”
“You had Mr. Norris until he passed three years ago. At that point, Mr. Featherstone’s health was starting to decline and he didn’t think he could manage. Mia wanted to apply for the position but knew you would never hire a woman.”
Staring down at the perfectly calculated books, he might just consider hiring her. She could do a better job than he could. “Is that why you don’t trust her to take care of Middleton’s tenants on her own?”
She cocked a brow at him and laughed. “No, that has nothing to do with it. Good day, my lord.”
What an odd woman. She should have at least explained her comment before leaving. If it wasn’t a matter of trust, was it a matter of skill? He found that hard to believe since he’d seen Mia’s healing skills. She was a wonderful healer with a gentle touch.
He stared down at his books again and realized an opportunity for Mia to stay here even if she was with child. He leaned his head back and sighed. The idea of her with child, and not his child, was eating at him. He didn’t want it to be true but at some point, he might have to face the reality that she would never marry him. Feeling his anger stirring at the futile position he faced, he took refuge with his boxing gloves and bag.
Chapter 9
Mia awoke the next morning feeling better than she had in days. With one major exception. She counted the days on her fingers and wanted to cry. Eight days late. It wasn’t possible that she now carried his child but every day that passed with no sign of her monthlies only increased the chance that she was with child.
Being with child meant she would have to leave her sanctuary here. Her mother would take her in but would she be safe if Davies was still out there? Her mother’s cottage was near the edge of Hart’s lands. Davies might just try to hurt her again if he had the chance.
