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“I am, and this is my wife, Grace,” Aidan said, his arm coming around Grace’s shoulders.
The woman’s expression was one of kindness. “I’m Emma’s nanny, Lisa Gomez. I’ve cared for Emma since she was born.”
She pointed to the sofa opposite the fireplace. “I’m aware of Deidre’s intentions concerning Emma, and I want you to know I approve of them. A child should be with her father in a situation like this. Emma has a lovely photo of you, Mr. Fellowes.”
Grace sat on the edge of the sofa her mind reeling. A photo of Aidan? She turned to Lisa. “You have a photo of my husband. Why?”
Lisa glanced quizzically at Aidan before she answered. “He is Emma’s father. Deidre wanted Emma to be able to recognize her father. Deidre’s company worked closely with his company, and I’m sure they stayed in touch through work, although she never said as much.”
Lisa raised her eyebrows, her gaze resting on Grace’s face, a look of understanding dawning on her face. “I’m terribly sorry, Mrs. Fellowes. I don’t know why, but I thought Aidan was single when he and Deidre met…”
Aidan had sworn he hadn’t been involved in Deidre’s business after the affair. He’d claimed Lucas looked after anything Deidre’s company needed. Was that the truth? Had her husband been here since that weekend? Was she the only one who didn’t know what was going on? Had Aidan and Lucas both hidden the truth from her? Lucas wouldn’t do that, of that she was certain.
Tears burned Grace’s eyes. She fought to regain her equilibrium, deciding to say nothing more to this woman. Her hands clammy, her breath coming in short gasps, she struggled to stay in this room and listen to what was being said. Her eyes sought the door. Her body tensed as she placed her feet firmly on the floor in front of her. “Could I see the photo of my husband?”
“That’s not necessary,” Aidan said.
“I’d like to see the photo of my husband,” she said, suspicion writhing through her at Aidan’s objection.
Lisa left the room and came back a few minutes later, holding the framed photo out to Grace. “Deidre wanted Emma to understand that she had a dad who didn’t live with them. Deidre wanted her to see what her dad looked like.”
Grace searched the photo for clues as to where it had been taken…a park somewhere. She didn’t recognize the photo or the place, but the smile on Aidan’s face was playful and open. How could he have been looking that way if their relationship was a quick hookup, a fling, as he’d described it? And why had they been in a park she didn’t recognize? “I thought you had no role in Emma’s life, that you knew nothing about her until the lawyer called,” she said, seething.
“I swear to you I didn’t,” Aidan said, his smile forced as he glanced across at Lisa. “You’ve never met me before, have you, Ms. Gomez?”
“That’s correct. I knew you by the photo only. But I assumed she was in touch with you over her arrangements, Mr. Fellowes,” Lisa said, a small frown forming.
Aidan shook his head emphatically.
“After her dad passed away last March, Deidre decided that, since there really weren’t any close family connections, she wanted to provide Emma with a sense of belonging,” Lisa said, her gaze one of disbelief as she continued to stare at Aidan. “I can’t imagine that she didn’t tell you what she was doing. Once Deidre made a decision, she stuck to it. Because of that, I assumed you knew about Emma and that one day you would show up here. Deidre didn’t say that, exactly, but I am pretty sure she intended to find you and encourage you to be involved in Emma’s life.”
