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“William.” Lilian touched his arm. “Whatever is the matter with you?”
He jerked his arm from her fingers.
“Please inform Mrs. Gibbons to pack Daniel’s things and bring him downstairs,” Georgina said. “Then I’ll be on my way. And have him brought down as well.” She took in her sister’s appearance. “Why don’t you get your cloak? Come with me,” Georgina pleaded. Lilian looked so fragile standing next to the door frame.
“No, I—”
“Lilian isn’t going anywhere.” William cut off her sister, his eyes flitting out to the road before coming back to Georgina.
He’s waiting for someone.
William walked down the steps and past her to the driver of the hack. He had a low conversation with the hack driver, who climbed back into his seat and shot Georgina a dubious look before snapping the reins and driving off.
“No,” Georgina yelled out as the hack disappeared down the drive.
“I’ll send you back to the ferry in our carriage. Much more comfortable than a hired hack and warmer. For Daniel’s sake.” He shot a look at Lilian, who was still standing at the door. She wobbled slightly, clinging to the frame, as if about to faint.
“Then call for the carriage.”
William only smiled at her.
Georgina’s unease unfurled. He made no move to call for a servant to bring his carriage around. In fact, it didn’t look like any servants were about. Snow landed on his shoulders and in his hair as he stared at Georgina.
“William, what is happening?” Lilian’s fingers were stark white against the door frame.
“Mrs. Gibbons!” William nudged Lilian aside as he yelled up the stairs. “Bring the child down, please.” His eyes went to the road again.
The nanny appeared, a small bundle in her arms. The breeze lifted a strand of Daniel’s dark hair, visible above the blankets he was swaddled in. He was asleep. Thankfully. A rush of relief filled Georgina.
“Give him to me this instant.” Daniel was dressed for traveling. But William had onlyjustcalled upstairs. Fear stole her breath. “Whom are you expecting, William? My God, youdidn’t.” But it was clear he had. He’d already found another home for Daniel and was prepared to give her child to perfect strangers. “Give him to me.” Georgina’s voice echoed in the late afternoon air as she strode toward the porch. “How dare you, William.”
Lilian slid further down the door, pain tightening her lips. “William, what have you done?”
Mrs. Gibbons stepped around Lilian, nudging past her as William had, as if Lilian were no more than a piece of furniture or a troublesome dog. She walked in Georgina’s direction as Georgina held out her arms. The smell of clean linen, lemons, and spice filled the air as the nanny passed her.
Now she remembered why the scent was so familiar.
Hands shoving her over the railing. The water of the East River directly below her.
Georgina, terrified at her sudden realization, reached for Daniel. “You. It was you on the ferry.”
The nanny gave her a mild look. “Would have been kinder had you gone into the water, don’t you think?”
Georgina reached for Mrs. Gibbons, but William’s arm shot out, shoving Georgina hard until she fell against the steps. A cry of pain left her as her knee made contact with the wood.
The nanny came to stand next to William, nearly as tall as he.
“Troublesome little bugger, isn’t he, Anna?” William peered down at Daniel. “Is he bundled up warmly? I’d hate for him to catch a chill. Ah.” Her brother-in-law looked up. “Finally.”
A carriage came up the drive, coming to a stop before the porch. The driver on top gave Georgina a curious look but didn’t get down from his seat.
Where were Lilian’s servants?She had at least two strapping young lads who worked in the stables. And a gardener.
“You shouldn’t have come here,” William said to her. “Now things will only be more difficult. I tried to help you, Georgina. Tried to talk some sense into you.”
Georgina struggled to her feet.
Mrs. Gibbons looked over at William, lifting her chin for a kiss as they waited for the carriage’s occupant to step out.
