With pleading eyes, Sadie waited for Mrs. Headly to take over and stop this madness. Waited for her heart to stop pounding. Neither came. Whether she approved or not, Edwin was leaving. The least she could do was make sure he didn’t hurt as she did.
“I would like you to meet someone special, Edwin.” She forced the bitter words through her tightened throat.
The child’s head rose to the imposing figure standing too close behind her. He stepped closer. The heat from the Duke’s body seeped under her clothing like a caress. He was giving her mixed signals. One moment he placed distance between them as if standing too close singed his skin and now she felt his presence like a weight. Heavy, hot, and disconcerting. Sadie gritted her teeth against the onslaught of emotions and remembered why he was here. It was likely he thought she planned on fleeing with Edwin, not that the thought didn’t have its appeal.
Kidnapping Edwin would be impulsive and all her life she tried not to be reckless. Where would she go? Living in hiding was no way to raise a child, especially not without connections.
“Do you know why he is special?”
Edwin scrunched his eyes in concentration, reminding her of the Duke’s narrowed gaze moments ago. “Because his eyes are blue like mine?”
Of course, the child would notice eyes like his own.
“No,” she said, trying to ignore the chaotic emotions inside her at the Duke’s closeness. Maintaining her anger was becoming more and more difficult. “Those are just eyes, and yours are prettier.” That earned her an embarrassing blush from Edwin. “He is special because he is your father.”
Edwin peered up at the man again. Sadie could not read his thoughts, but knew they were racing from his widening eyes.
“And he has come to take you home.”