Page 52 of A Duke, a Virgin and a Baby
“How can you be so sure the child is mine? How can I be sure that you did not have a child with a mistress and you wish to pass it off as mine to stay in your wife’s good graces?” he snapped angrily.
Julian leveled him with an unimpressed stare.
“Can you even hear yourself? Do you really think I have nothing better to do than to chase you about, urging you to fix your mess? If I had a child, you likely wouldn’t even know about it, because you do not care about anyone but yourself. That is why my wife is currently tending to your son as we speak. I have never evaded my responsibilities. I am not you.” He told Seth coldly.
Seth was silent for a moment and then his shoulders dropped as he asked,
“Then why?”
Julian frowned. “Why what?”
“Why are you so intent on making me take up this massive task? You know better than anyone that I am not made for fatherhood, no more than you were made to be a husband. Not when the one who was meant to teach us these things only cared about himselfand his mistresses. You are wasting your time, Julian. Do not put me in a position to ruin that poor child’s life.”
It was strange. Julian never expected his brother to say something so thoughtful, and while he did raise good points, it wouldn’t be right to leave things as they were.
“How would you know if you have never tried it? You are incorrigible and unreliable, but that does not have to be who you will always be. Perhaps this is what you need – a chance to prove that there is more to you than your vices. Do you feel content like this? Living your life this way? I know better than anyone that the void within you cannot be filled by the hobbies and activities you employ to keep yourself busy. You need a real reason to live, Seth. The least you could do for yourself is try to live right and now you have a reason to do so.” Julian implored, using a tone he hadn’t attempted since they were young boys.
Seth’s uncertainty and doubt remained stubborn, but it did seem as though he was at least listening to Julian’s words. And so when he began to protest, Julian tried one more tactic.
“You should at least see him. Just once.”
Seth frowned. “Who?”
“Your child, Seth, Christ. You should see him. Perhaps it will help you understand just what I mean.”
“I do not think that is wise –”
Julian pressed gently, “Only for a moment. I am not saying that you have to spend an hour caring for him. Just… come and take a look at him. You will understand why I believed he was yours, from the moment I set my eye on him.”
With a tired sigh, Seth relented.
“Fine. All right. I’ll meet the brat.”
“Watch your mouth,” Julian scolded, rising to his feet and walking around the desk to lead the way to Nicholas’ nursery.
“Yes, Your Grace,” Seth grumbled sarcastically.
“I mean it. Do not utter a single unkind word in front of the child or my wife will have you hanging off the terrace by noon. If she orders it, I will have to command it to be done. I advise you not to cross her.” Julian stated, ignoring the gobsmacked expression on his brother’s face.
“That is absolutely bullocks –”
Julian shushed Seth and slowly pushed the already ajar nursery door fully open, both of them simultaneously captivated by the sight occurring in the center of the room.
Anna held Nicholas in her arms, softly speaking to him with a smile. The boy looked just as delighted with her presence as she was with his. He kept babbling happily and reaching for her face, his adorable little hands managing to press against her jawat some point, the feat garnering so much joy from him that he squealed.
It seemed that Seth was as absorbed with what was happening as Julian was, even though they likely had different subjects of their interest. It was still a relief that Seth hadn’t walked away yet.
Moments later, Julian learned that fleeing was the last thing on his mind as his brother stepped into the nursery, his eyes fixated on Nicholas. His movement caught Anna’s attention and she immediately wrapped her arms around Nicholas protectively.
“Who are you and what are you doing in my house?” Anna demanded, quickly rising to her feet and backing away from Seth.
Sensing things were already going awry, Julian stepped forward.
“Do not fret, An– wife. This is Seth, my brother.” He paused before adding. “Nicholas’s father.”
To his brother, he said, nodding in Anna’s direction. “That is my wife. And in her arms, your son.”
He had thought that the introduction would help ease things into a more comfortable atmosphere, but Anna only seemed to grow more agitated.
