AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It took her a moment to comprehend his words.
“What do you mean, you have children. Whose children?” she asked, bewildered.
He coughed. “They are mine, of course, born by my first wife, Bunty. It was Libby, the eldest, whom you heard last night. She has been suffering from nightmares ever since her mother died.”
Her temper rose, and she swallowed back an angry retort. She must try to remain calm.
“Why have you not spoken of the children’s existence before now, and why did you not explain all this to me last night when I became anxious about the cries?”
“I thought the idea of another woman’s children might decide you against our union and I wanted you to meet the girls directly after I explained the situation. In fact, they are on their way down now with their nanny to make your acquaintance.”
“Oh,” she said, too shocked to say more.
“You need have no fear of them interfering with our daily life. They are well cared for, and their days are kept full and busy on my instructions,” he continued hastily.
“Oh…” Surprised, she couldn’t think of anything more say. Her mind raced with so many questions and accusations. If the children were indeed on their way to meet her, she decided it would be best not to speak her mind until the visit was over and they were out of earshot.Children…Goodness, that meant she was their stepmother.
A tap at the door was followed by the entrance of a portly nanny in a starched uniform accompanied by three young girls of graduating height, all clothed in black.
“Girls, form a tidy line,” their father ordered.
As the nanny stepped aside, the three children obediently queued. Holly met their wan faces with a welcoming smile. The tallest girl stepped forward and curtsied to her.
“Welcome, ma’am. I am Libby and I am nine,” she said. She was followed by the middle girl who gave Holly the same sentence informing her that she was seven and called Kitty. The smallest child beamed up at Holly.
“I’s is Clemmy and I’s is five. Are you going to be our new mama?” she asked.
“Clementine!” her father rebuked sharply.
The child’s eyes brimmed with sudden tears and she stuck her thumb into her mouth sucking furiously.
Holly swivelled towards Gregory. “Why don’t you and Nanny both leave us ladies alone for a little while in order for us to become better acquainted?” she suggested.
“There is no need for that, my dear. I have explained to the girls that you will not be replacing their mama. Nanny, please take the girls back up to the schoolroom, Nanny. They have lessons to attend.”
Fury simmered in her veins at such high handedness.
“Wait! You have presented me with afait accompli, one that I do not accept. These childrenaremy stepdaughters, I am their new mamaand I willtake the time to get to know them.”
Gregory completely ignored her statement, gesturing for Nanny to leave. She gathered her charges and directed the children from the room.
Holly waited until they’d left then jumped to her feet, rounding on her husband.
“That was ill done of you, sir!”
He held up his hands. “I know, I know, I should have told you before, but your father and I both agreed…”
“What, Papa knew that you had children and failed to share that information with me?” she asked, incredulous.
“Yes, we discussed it. You are too young at nineteen to—”
“Oh, this is unbelievable. You, sir, areunbelievable!” she cried, incensed.
“Now then my dear, no need to have vapours over this—"
Holly interrupted. “Vapours? I am livid, Gregory,furious! How could you treat your daughters this way? How could you treatmewith so little regard? Just because you paid my father’s debts does not give you the right to treat me so shabbily.” She moved swiftly to the door.
He grunted. She halted and waited for him to speak, yet he remained silent. Hearing in her mind his unspoken words as clearly as if he’d spoken…
