Page 74 of Duke of Iron
He bent and placed the baby in the basket, tucking the blanket around him. The care in his gesture surprised her.
She watched as Logan cleaned his hands, then leaned back against the counter. “I found the mother.”
May’s heart skipped. “You—what?”
He nodded. “I found the baby’s mother. Or, rather, my man did. It was a matter of time. She is Lady Rebecca Beamond, the daughter of a viscount. She was in Italy during her confinement, returned with a baby, and the family arranged for the child’s disappearance.”
May processed this. “So… what will you do?”
Logan was silent for a long moment. “I will return the child. It is the right thing.”
She stared at him, then at the baby, who slept with his face pressed into the side of the basket, thumb in his mouth.
“It is the right thing,” she repeated, voice hollow.
He watched her, unblinking. “If you disagree, say so.”
May shook her head. “No. You are right.”
She stared at the lamp, watched the flame gutter and dance. Her hands felt cold, though the kitchen was warm.
“Will you tell him?” she asked.
Logan frowned. “The baby?”
She nodded. “Will you tell him why he is not wanted?”
“He is wanted,” Logan said. “Just not by me.”
She winced. He crossed the room and stopped, just short of reaching for her hand. “I did not mean?—”
She looked up at him, eyes shining. “You never mean to, Logan. But you always do.”
He stood, arms awkwardly at his sides, and for the first time looked truly lost.
She forced a smile, though it hurt. “It is for the best. I will prepare him for the change.”
He nodded, but did not move.
They stood, caught between action and inaction, words and silence.
May reached for the basket, cradled the baby, and started for the door.
“May,” Logan said, softly.
She paused.
“Thank you,” he said.
She did not trust herself to answer.
She climbed the stairs with Rydal heavy in her arms, the knowledge of what was coming heavier still.
She would enjoy every moment she had left.
She would make it count.
She tucked the baby into his cot, smoothed the blanket, and sat beside him, watching him breathe.
