Page 68 of Her Bear of a Duke

"Is it not lovely?" she asked.

"Very much so. Do you still have the little home for them?"

"Yes! I had forgotten all about it. Wait here."

She skipped off with the ladybird, leaving Morgan with one of the ladies he knew disliked him greatly. He turned to look at her, and already she had her arms folded and was wearing a scowl.

"I do not know what you said to Dorothy to make her happy, but I know my friend. She does not like this guest of yours."

"Lady Cecilia, I know what you think of me, but I assure you that I only have the best intentions."

"Yes, for every gentleman with good intentions leaves his wife without warning, and then sits in a room alone with an unmarried lady that he once courted."

"That is fair, but it was not how it seemed. I will admit that my sudden absence was wrong, but it was for the child. I have been searching everywhere for her mother, and at the time I did not know how to tell Dorothy. She and I have discussed it, and I no longer have anything hidden from her."

"Be that as it may, you did not see how she changed when we entered that room."

"I was in there because I do not completely trust her, either. I simply had nobody else to watch her with Catherine. It was foolish, I know, but again I have already discussed this with my wife."

"And what of those snide remarks that this lady continues to make? Do not pretend that you cannot hear them. I know that gossip between ladies is perhaps more insidious than how you gentlemen are, but you must have heard it."

"As far as I know, it is harmless, and if it is not, Dorothy knows to tell me."

"And if she does not?"

"She will," he snapped. "I understand that you are protecting her, but she is my wife. If something is making her unhappy, she is more than capable of saying as much. It is admirable of you to go to such lengths to care for her, but she is not a child."

"I did not say that."

"No, but you are implying that she does not know how to speak for herself."

"A lot of the time, she does not. I am not accusing you of anything, nor am I doing so to Dorothy. I am simply saying that she does not tend to make a fuss. She prefers to let things lie, and when it comes to an unmarried lady trying to stake her claim over Dorothy's home, I will say something if she cannot."

"Here it is!" Catherine said brightly as she returned, forcing him and Lady Cecilia to replace their smiles.

"That is so lovely," Lady Cecilia commented. "Shall we put the ladybird inside?"

Catherine nodded, shaking her hand gently until the ladybird flew inside. They rejoined the others, though they were in no rush, but when they returned Lady Annabelle was missing.

"She has retired for the night," Lady Emma explained. "I may well have to do the same soon enough."

"That is no surprise to me," Dorothy smiled. "Your child shall soon be here. You must rest."

"If you need to sleep, you are more than welcome to," Morgan agreed. "I shall take no offence to it. Would you like your dinner brought to you?"

Lady Emma nodded gratefully, and Morgan had a maid accompany her to her room. He had not asked how soon the baby was to be born, but one look at her was enough to say that it was approaching time.

Mrs. Herrington took Catherine for her meal so that they could have some time as adults, and Dorothy breathed a sigh of relief when they reached the parlor room.

"I am so pleased that you are here," she sighed happily. "I hardly see you."

"That may change," Lady Beatrice suggested. "As it is not the Social Season, we are able to come and go as we please."

"Your father may have something to say about that."

"My father is aware that I am in the company of a duke. He is also of the belief that said duke knows other dukes and eligiblebachelors that I may make acquaintances with. Therefore, he is more than happy for me to spend my time here."

Morgan could not help but smile at her. Dorothy's friends were indeed more outspoken than Dorothy herself, and he was pleased that, of the four of them, he had married the most agreeable one at least. She was not a troublemaker like the others were, not that he minded them either. He liked that they made noise, and that with them in attendance the household felt livelier.

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