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Tart.
Whore.
Bastard child.
Spoken in the voice of others, the words ran through her mind—and as if through a sieve, they disappeared. Dread eluded her.
I must be numb.
She turned to the practical implications. James wanted to marry her already, and she’d been the one to ask for a delay. Wouldn’t he be delighted to have a wedding sooner rather than later?
She bit her lip. She’d asked him about having a family once; he claimed not to think about it.
She smiled.He also said he didn’t want sentimentality.
Clara had to believe that James would welcome the news of a babe.
David!
Her plan to establish James as worthy in David’s eyes required time—time she wouldn’t have now. Getting her with child during a secret liaison didn’t dovetail with the image of James she wanted her brother to know!
Even David would have to accept that marriage was required—but would he ever forgive her?
Clara sank down into the bath, wrapping her arms around her abdomen.
She would have to accelerate and intensify her plan. So much for insidiously building on James’s and David’s similarities and shared interests. There simply wasn’t time for that gradual approach.
She and David already had plans tonight—and the ball was tomorrow. It was imperative that she make the most of both opportunities.
A powerful longing to see James stirred within her. How she wanted to share this news with him.
Family. She would have more family. She would have James’s babe! Tears filled her eyes, and she placed her hand protectively over her womb.
I will love you,she promised her child.
