Page 92 of Her Bear of a Duke

"And at last," Cecilia continued, "thetonhas its answer. It might not be the news that one likes to hear, but at least it is a mystery solved."

"Yes, and after that all that was left to do was decide what happened to the family. It could have been accepted as a grieving family, and had that been the case then perhaps they would have been forgiven for lying."

"Except that word has spread among staff that Lady Annabelle has been scheming all this time, trying to damage marriages in any way that she could so that she would no longer be on the shelf."

Dorothy blinked.

"Do you mean to say that I was not the first?"

"You were the third," Beatrice explained. "Unfortunately, in a moment of desperation, she attempted to entrap a married man out in the gardens at a ball two nights ago. They were not seen, which was perhaps what she had intended, but the gentleman told his wife. She is ruined now, completely."

"I do not see what is unfortunate about that," Cecilia smirked. "I would say that it is precisely what she deserves."

"As would I," Dorothy agreed, "but I still have some pity for her. I suppose she wishes that she had not spurned Morgan's affections all those years ago."

"Well, she did, and now she is the child that has been sent away. She will be in the country for a very long time."

Dorothy knew that she was supposed to feel a sense of satisfaction that the lady that had caused her so much pain would be gone from her life permanently, but she did not. Her first thought was Catherine, and how it would have to be explained that she could no longer see her aunt.

She and Morgan had agreed that, in spite of everything, if Catherine ever wished to see her aunt again then they would not stop her. They would, however, be present at all times and never leave the two of them alone together. Now, however, that could not happen.

"This is a good thing," Beatrice promised, squeezing Dorothy's arm. "You may live now, with no need to wonder whether or not you are being watched."

"And, with all that has happened to that family," Cecilia added, "the news of you and your husband adopting Catherine has fallen by the wayside. It has been accepted by theton, is that not brilliant?"

"It truly is. We were going to take her out soon, but I think we might wait until Emma has made an appearance or two with her new little one. Has the baby been given a name yet?"

"He is called Rupert," Beatrice smiled. "He is a lovely little baby, too. I cannot wait for you to see him."

"Nor can I," Dorothy replied. "We have yet to discuss having children of our own, and we have Catherine, and I do not believe Morgan has a particular desire to sire an heir."

"You never know," Cecilia said. "He could well change his mind upon speaking with Levi. Then again, the poor man seemed terrified by his prospects when we saw him. He was not allowed in the room with his wife, and he was furious about it."

"That is awful," Dorothy gasped. "I did not know that it had to be that way."

"Well, there is a certain strength required, one that only we women possess."

Dorothy thought of all the pain that Emma must have been in, and she wondered if she truly did possess such strength herself.

"I do not know what I am supposed to do. I am not supposed to be a father!"

Morgan had never met the man pacing the room, but he wished to befriend his wife's friends' husbands as they met, and Levi Hunter, the Duke of Lupton, was to be the first. He seemed to be a kind man, but in that moment he could not seem to collect himself at all. He could not sit still, and had to walk from one end of his study to the other as he uttered nonsense.

"She is well, Your Grace," Morgan tried. "As is your baby, your son."

"I know, but I should have been there. It was humiliating to be shut out of a room in my own household, unable to support my wife."

"Your wife was supported, and she is in good health now. I know that all of this is scary, but believe me it becomes easier with time."

"Have you had a baby, Your Grace?"

Morgan hesitated for a moment.

"Not exactly. Not in the way that you have, at least, but I do have a daughter, for all intents and purposes. I have raised my niecesince she was a small child, and there have been difficulties but there have been more rewards than anything. I assure you, even if you do not think you are prepared, you can do this."

"Is it wrong to wish he was a girl?" he laughed sadly. "We are supposed to want heirs, but if Rupert were a girl then it would not be my responsibility to teach him everything. I am supposed to show him how to be a duke one day, but I could not even tell you the first thing about it. I simply do it."

"And that is all that you need to do. If you act as a good duke, and a good man, then he shall follow suit. Believe me, it will come to you almost instinctively."

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