Page 67 of The Duke's Bride in Disguise
"The Shakespeare, the water glasses," Lord Fairfax mused aloud, "I should have guessed—you did not seem yourself at all."
"Indeed," Emily replied to her father, taking a seat on the leather couch opposite him, "I have not felt myself for these past few weeks father—for I have no idea who I really am."
The atmosphere within the library, which had been one of shocked excitement, turned rather sombre, as Emily gave her father a sad look. For her part, Ava felt rather uncomfortable, as father and daughter exchanged melancholy glances.
"I suppose, Emily, my dear," Lord Fairfax said, gesturing for Ava to take a seat beside her sister, "That I'd best explain how you came to be my daughter. Do you recall how we used to joke about how much your mother wanted a daughter?"
"She wanted a girl so much that she had twelve names picked out, but you only allowed her six," Emily answered, with an affectionate smile to her father.
"Emily Louisa Margaret Anne Augusta Constance Fairfax," Lord Fairfax listed the names off on his fingers, "I swear, I spent days arguing with her about it, but I digress. Your mother wanted a girl so badly that she entered into her pregnancy against the orders of three physicians. She laboured for three days and it very nearly killed her."
Lord Fairfax paused and gave the two young ladies before him a rather worried glance. He cleared his throat nervously, before he continued.
"I am not," he began, "Proud of what I did, but at the time, I saw no other way. The babe that your mother bore did not live long, and I was afraid that the news might kill her—she was very, very weak. So, the laying-in woman, went to one of the orphanages and swapped my poor girl for you, Emily."
"So, I am not your real daughter?" Emily asked with a frown.
"Of course you are," Lord Fairfax said indignantly, "You are my real daughter, I love you more than you will ever understand. It matters not that we share no blood—you came into our lives and made this family complete, Emily."
Ava felt tears prick her eyes at Lord Fairfax's vehement declaration of love; it was obvious that he was sincere, for he gave the appearance of being greatly anxious and agitated at Emily's assumption.
"And what of Ava?" Emily asked simply, "Did you know that I was a twin?"
"Of course not," Lord Fairfax was horrified by the suggestion, "Had I know, I would have instructed the midwife to take you both. It pains me to think that you have lived so long apart—but I am glad that you have found each other, and that this family has acquired a new member."
"Really?" Ava's heart soared at the marquess' words; could it be, that he would readily accept her, just like that?
"Of course, my dear," Lord Fairfax beamed at her, "You are as much a part of this family, as anyone else."
"I had wanted to find," Ava confessed, "Who my real parents were, but I think that this is far, far better. Thank you, Lord Fairfax."
"Papa," Lord Fairfax corrected her with a grin, "I'll not have my daughter stand on ceremony. Now, my dears, come here."
Lord Fairfax held out his arms to Ava and Emily, who both embraced him at the same time. This was what it was like, Ava thought with wonder, to be part of a family. The family hug did not last long, for a knock on the library door forced the trio apart.
"A Mr McCasey," Graves said soberly, "For Lady Emily."
It was to the butler's credit, Ava thought, that as he noted not one, but two, Lady Emily's staring back at him, only a small flicker of surprise crossed his face, before he assumed his usual impassive expression.
"Send him in," Lord Fairfax called cheerfully.
"Should I leave?" Ava questioned; surely Mr McCasey would spread the word about her if he was to meet her.
"Why should you?" Lord Fairfax gave a shrug, "I have two daughters now, there's nothing to hide."
Ava tried to hide her own astonishment at Lord Fairfax's ease; he seemed unconcerned about the scandal that would erupt, once thetonheard about the marquess's second, illegitimate daughter. It was both terribly sweet and a little reckless, she thought, as she waited for McCasey to enter.
The actor followed Graves into the library, accompanied by his wife. There was something so familiar about her regal face, Ava thought, as she noted Mrs McCasey's high cheekbones and fine bone structure.
"Forgive me," McCasey said with a small bow to Ava, "But I had to come. I was with Lady Emily when she had her accident, and I heard that man shout at her. I had to know—"
The actor broke off as he noticed Emily, standing a little behind her sister.
"There are two of you," he stated, looking to his wife for confirmation of what was before him.
"Yes," Ava offered, her heart thumping nervously in her chest. What was McCasey about? Obviously he had heard Boris call her Ava, but what did that mean to him?
"I knew it."
