Page 93 of A Sight to Behold
“How does he know?” Pippa asked Isabel, who stood watching her husband with pride on her face.
“Because I planted some juicy half-truth to test the hypothesis,” Isabel told her, never taking her eyes from Lance.
“And I helped spread the rumor in just the right directions.” Violet smiled. “The gossip spread like a wildfire in less than a week and left a clear trail that led to you.”
“With my help,” The earl wobbled his head proudly. “I have some connections, as you know.”
“B-but the viscount’s son is—” Carolyn didn’t finish.
“I’m right here, Lady Pemberton.” A young man in evening attire cleared his throat. “And none of your vicious gossip is true, except that I love Sophia Sheridan. And you’re not invited to our wedding next month.” He stepped back and bowed in the direction of the Earl of Langley.
“See, Lady Pemberton, a real doctor would never spread gossip or sell information from a patient. There’s no betrayal of trust possible with the young doctors from 87 Harley Street. They keep absolute confidentiality.”
“But I can see the work you’ve had done!” Carolyn cried out.
The earl fumed. Then he walked away and straight to the edge of the crowds where his guests were. “Look at me!” he called out. He didn’t need to speak very loudly—everyone’s attention was already fixed on the drama unfolding on the dance floor in front of them. He opened his mouth wide and bared his teeth. “I’m admitting to repairs and the use of various medicines to feel good in my body. It’s my prerogative to accept the advances in medicine gracefully, and I’m not ashamed.” He smiled widely, baring his gold fillings. “I’d be stupid to hide it if it helped me regain my strength after years of ignoring my health.”
The guests gasped and some looked away, while others stared curiously, and most gave the group in the center of the throng evil eyes. But the earl kept his chin high and his posture so strong, he oozed control and masculinity.
“And here!” He held his eyes wide open. “Both lenses were replaced because, low and behold, I drank myself nearly blind!Who knows the feeling,hm?” He nodded at some of the peers in the crowd. At first, they were embarrassed but then they slumped their shoulders and approached the earl. “I wanted to be in the best shape possible for my beautiful wife! Is that so bad? Look at her! She’s breathtaking! And intelligent!”
Violet chuckled and took Bea’s arm. “I love him. Isn’t he wonderful?”
“And yet all the money you spent with the doctors won’t give you the one thing that you need,” Carolyn snarled.
The earl turned back and returned to her. “What?”
“You need an heir, my lord.” Her tone was languid and dangerous like a snake curling itself around its prey ready to squeeze tight to suffocate it. “It’s been six months and you ought to have made more progress by now.”
The earl inhaled deeply, his fury evident on his face and in his movements.
Wife Six continued, oblivious to the fact that he was only just holding his anger in check. Or maybe she didn’t care. “A real man would have fathered a child by now, but you are all but a fool who spent money on these doctors and all you have to show for it are spare parts that will remain long after your body has decayed. But I suppose your doctors haven’t been able to cure all of your ailments,hm?”
Silence washed over the room.
The earl’s heavy breathing resonated with the expectant gazes of the crowd.
And then there was a rustle of silk.
Violet came to his side and took his hands in hers, pulling him to face her. “She’s wrong.”
His gaze lifted and he met Violet’s eyes. “What?”
“It’s a bit early to say but…” Violet looked over her shoulder at Wendy. “It’s possible.”
The earl’s eyebrows darted up but then his gaze fell to her stomach. He looked like a young boy who’d received the best surprise on his birthday. “A baby?” His voice was hoarse, and his sincerity was plain for the crowd to see.
He was just a man in love with his wife and he’d done what he thought was best to keep up with her. Surely it was a problem to which more than one of the guests could relate.
Now, Pippa approached Carolyn and inhaled a deep breath. Nick knew that what she was about to say would change their lives.
Chapter Forty-Two
“Carolyn, you’ve broughtshame to our family,” Pippa said gravely.
“Says the clumsy goose,” Carolyn laughed Pippa off and turned to receive support from the crowd.
But none came.
