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“Leo and I have a rather complicated relationship. Fraught with misunderstanding and well-founded assumptions. I went to him only once after...” She waved her hand.
“You bedded him.”
Georgina blushed. “Yes. We argued. We both said very horrible things to each other. Masterson died, and I found myself with child, something he was averse to. Or at least I assumed he was, based on a previous conversation. And I could hardly allow Harold to know about Daniel. Hiding his very existence seemed the best solution at the time.”
“You should have sent for me sooner. You could have had Daniel here.”
“I couldn’t. Harold was already suspicious, and he knew I hadn’t been back once since Father sent me away. Nor had any of my family visited. What I did was safer for Daniel. Harold doesn’t know about him and never will.”
“And Leo. What will you do about him? I don’t sense his stay in New York will be short.”
“Leo hates me. Just as I feared. He will want to see Daniel, but beyond that...I don’t know. I’m not sure what I’m going to do, Ben.”
Her cousin pulled her close as the East River glistened in the sun. “Murphy is angry. But he doesn’t hate you. Far from it, I think. Look. There’s the ferry.”
* * *
A short time later,Georgina made her way up the steps to Lilian’s home, anxious to see her son. Hold him. Maybe whisper into his hair about Leo.
“Mrs. Masterson.” Mrs. Gibbons, Daniel’s nanny, greeted her at Lilian’s front door. “We weren’t expecting you.”
Georgina smiled up at her. “I’m full of surprises, Mrs. Gibbons.” She stepped through the doorway. “Goodness, but the weather has turned.”
“Mrs. Harrison is napping, I’m afraid, and Mr. Harrison is in the city for the day. Master Daniel is asleep, but I was about to wake him. Unless you’d rather? I can have tea sent up.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Gibbons. Tea would be most welcome.”
William had found Mrs. Gibbons, citing the need for additional help with Daniel now that Lilian was with child. According to Lilian, Mrs. Gibbons, despite her youth, came with a stack of references from some of the finest families in Philadelphia. There was no mention of a Mr. Gibbons.
Georgina started up the stairs, passing the nanny. The aroma of lemons, clean linen, and some undefined spice met her nose, all coming from Mrs. Gibbons.
Her fingers ran along the banister as she made her way up the stairs. “What is that scent you wear, Mrs. Gibbons? I quite like it.”
The nanny’s lips pursed in annoyance before her features smoothed again. “A little something I put in my hair, ma’am. Keeps my curls from escaping my cap.” She touched the bit of lace on her head from which a profusion of reddish curls could clearly be seen. “Unruly things.” Mrs. Gibbons nodded politely before hurrying off in the direction of the kitchens.
Georgina couldn’t place the scent, though it had to be a spice of some sort. She’d caught the aroma elsewhere. Perhaps coming from the kitchens. Cinnamon? Ginger?
A small cry sounded from the nursery, and she pushed all thoughts of spice out of her thoughts. Daniel was awake.
