Page 123 of A Bride for the Duke of Sin

“Then you should have thought of that before you got her with child!” Lady Dexford shrieked. “Mark my words, Dexford, youwillmarry that young woman even if I have to drag you to the altar myself!”

Ethan shook his head as he closed the door behind him, leaving Lady Dexford screaming at her son to take responsibility for what he did to Miss Delaney.

Whether Dexford chose to marry Miss Delaney was his own business now. Ethan had other things to take care of.

Most of all, he needed to go to Phoebe and grovel at her feet and beg for her forgiveness.

He needed to bring her back home.

CHAPTER 36

After she had cried her heart out and imbibed an ungodly amount of hot chocolate, courtesy of Scarlett, Phoebe was tired and feeling lightheaded. Her belly felt as if it had been weighed down considerably, and she knew she was probably going to regret it in the morning, but she did not care.

“I think you should go get some rest now,” Alice told her gently, wiping the tear tracks on her face with a silken handkerchief. “Sleep does wonders for the mind, heart, and body.”

“You really should not have come,” Phoebe insisted. “It is not good for the babe to be around heartbreak before he is even born.”

“How do you even know it is aheand not a she?” her older sister teased her.

Evie smiled at her. “The first Blackthorn baby is always a boy.”

Alice sighed. “And I had been hoping for a girl…”

“Then you should try for more!” Scarlett grinned at her. “I am sure that husband of yours will be more than up for it.”

But Alice only shuddered. “Sometimes, I fear that he will lose his mind over this pregnancy. It is already hard enough to walk around without him hovering over me…”

“Do not worry, dear sister. I think it will only get better from here.” Phoebe smiled at her.

Alice squeezed her hand reassuringly. “As I hope it will for you, Phoebe. Whatever happens, we will always be here for you.”

Scarlett, who had been sitting close to the window, suddenly jumped up and peered through the glass pane, her palms flattening against the clear surface.

“What is it?” Evie asked her. “Is something amiss?”

The redhead shook her head. “Do not fret now, but I think that the carriage of the Duke of Sinclair just rolled up to our front door.” She squinted through the glass, and her eyes widened in shock. “Itisthe carriage of the Duke of Sinclair!”

No, no… it cannot be! What is he doing here?

Phoebe felt panic rising in her chest, but Alice simply patted her hands. She looked at her unwaveringly and said firmly, “My dear, you have been overwrought since this morning. I believe that it is best that you rest for now.”

Evie stood behind her and laid a supportive hand on Phoebe’s shoulder. There was a steely glint in her eyes. “Alice is right,” she stated. “You do not need to see him right away. Let us handle this for you.”

“In short.” Scarlett smiled coldly. “That husband of yours will have to get throughusfirst before he gets to talk to you. Who does he think he is?” she huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. “He cannot just walk all over you like that, even if he is a duke!”

The other two Duchesses nodded in agreement.

Phoebe smiled gratefully at all of them. It was a very good time to have loyal friends around her.

She almost pitied Ethan for having to face their wrath alone.

Almost.

In all his life, Ethan had never faced a more daunting task than facingthreeladies who were rather displeased with him.

No, not merely displeased—outragedwas a better term for it.

All three of them were bristling with frosty feminine rage for what he had done to Phoebe, and he did not blame them one bit. Even he was angry with himself, but this was not about him.

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