Page 4 of The Duke's Lesson in Love

He didn’t like being challenged, she realized.

She would not cower.

“Take heed, Miss Fields.” His gaze raked her, sending an unexpected shiver down her spine. “You have no say in what happens to my son.” Sadie swallowed a strangled declaration that Edwin wasn’t his. He was hers. Only hers.

Miley took her elbow, guiding her to the settee to sit between her and Mackenna. In a single afternoon, her life was ripped apart.

“Tell me about the man who tried to grab Edwin?” the Duke asked.

Her eyes widened. Was that why he was here?

“The children were at the little park playing when it happened. Edwin put up a fight, allowing Miss Fields and another caregiver to go to his aid,” Mrs. Headly said. “Edwin is a handsome boy. Certainly the incident was nothing more than an opportunist.”

Mrs. Headly’s words didn’t sound any better aloud than they did when Sadie thought them. She sensed from his triumphant stare that she had played into the Duke’s hand.

“Yet, Miss Fields, the other children were safe,” The Duke said with confidence. “Wouldn’t any of the other children do if the man was simply another charlatan?”

Sadie wrung her fingers together, conceding his logic. What if it happened again? With all the children to care for, she couldn’t keep him at her side indefinitely, not without him growing rebellious as he watched the other children play freely.

“Do you recall what he looked like?” The Duke’s voice softened, almost coaxing as he spoke directly to her. “Miss Fields?”

Gooseflesh rose along her arm at the gentleness in his tone. Is this the same man who issued threats a few minutes ago? “The man was dressed like a street urchin, in ragged trousers and old shoes, but this was no youth. His face and fingers were smeared in mud. Other than his brown eyes, I cannot say I can identify him with certainty.”

The Duke’s expression turned introspective then he shook his head. “A hired man then. How did he smell? Stews? The Docks?”

He thought someone wanted Edwin. When he turned to pierce her with his steely stare from a pair of eyes so much like Edwin’s, her world shifted on its axis. Putting her off balance for the briefest of moments. A shiver raced along her skin and her gaze lowered a fraction lest he heard the quickening of her pulse.

Unable to deny herself one more fanciful glance, she looked up at the expectant arch of his brow. His eyes were made more pronounced by a straight nose that would be too long if not for his slender face and strong jaw. “Your Grace?”

“Did he have an odor about him?” he repeated in exasperation.

Sadie’s brows furrowed.

“Did he smell?” he asked again.

“No, he did not,” Sadie said.

“As I gathered, the tattered garments and mud were nothing more than a means to hide his identity.” The Duke nodded. “I do not know how or who revealed my son’s identity, but I will find out.”

“I can assure you, Your Grace,” Mrs. Heady said, “until this day, no one other than the orphan mothers knew he was yours. Not even Sadie knew, and she is closest to your son.”

“What happens now?” Miley asked.

“Edwin comes home with me,” he said.

“But surely,” Sadie pleaded. “Now that we know to be vigilant, he can remain.”

A nanny appeared in the doorway. In one hand, she clutched Edwin’s fingers and in the other, she held a small sack containing his belongings.

Sadie gasped, springing to her feet before the Duke moved forward. She took Edwin into her arms and hugged him until he wiggled.

“Mamon Sadie,” he giggled. “You are squishing me.”

Her chest tightened. How was she to let him go? He was her bright star. She gave him another tight hug and inhaled. The lavender soap she’d used that very morning to wash his hair filled her nose.

“Mamon!” he cried when she kissed his cheek repeatedly. “I am too old for kisses.”

The Duke cleared his throat, standing behind her.

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