Page 78 of Debating with the Duke (Second Sons of London 2)

Haggert bobbed his head up and down several times, saying, “Thank you, Your Grace. You are most generous.” He gave directions to his cottage and then returned to the men.

Everett mounted his horse and rode directly to the Haggerts’ cottage. He knocked on the door and a woman of about thirty answered.

“Mrs. Haggert?” he asked.

“No, Your Grace, it is Mrs. Parker. I live in the cottage just to the south of here. I have come today to help Mrs. Haggert a bit with her newborn.”

“I have come to see the new babe,” he stated.

She moved aside and said, “Do come in.”

He stepped inside the one room. To the right was a table and chairs and a fireplace. A pot of stew bubbled, the delicious smells filling the room. He looked to his left and saw a woman in bed, holding a newborn in her arms. Everett went toward her and also saw a small girl who sat at the foot of the bed, playing with a doll.

As he approached, the woman beamed at him. “Your Grace. How nice of you to come. I suppose Her Grace told you about how she delivered young James here.”

Everett smiled at the woman. “My wife is very humble and I only learned about her role from your husband this afternoon.”

Mrs. Parker joined them and said, “Oh, Her Grace was wonderful! She sent wee Sarah here to me and I fetched the midwife. By the time we arrived, Mrs. Haggert had already given birth.”

Mrs. Haggert nodded in confirmation. “Her Grace had stopped by to deliver a basket of food to us when my labor pains began. Though it took nearly a day for my Sarah to make her appearance in the world, I knew second babies take far less time. Her Grace was so friendly and had such a calming effect upon me. Though she had never delivered a child, I told her what had occurred the first time, and she took charge with ease. By the time Mrs. Parker and the midwife arrived, Her Grace already had the babe cleaned up. It was touch and go for a moment before my James began to breathe but Her Grace kept her head and encouraged him to do so. I will be forever in debt to her.”

A warmth spread through Everett. This was the compassionate Addie he knew and loved. He wasn’t sure why she had disappeared after they wed but now, more than ever, he was eager to be with her again. He decided he would leave for London at once.

“I am leaving for town immediately,” he told the two women. “I will most certainly convey your gratitude to Her Grace and let her know that James is thriving.”

The baby awoke and frowned a moment then let out a lusty cry.

“He’s hungry, Your Grace,” the new mother explained.

“Then I will leave you so that you might feed him. When Her Grace and I return to Cliffside, we will stop in and call upon you and Mr. Haggert.”

Everett took his leave and mounted his horse, riding it at breakneck speed back to the stables. He let Porth, his head groom, know he would be leaving for London in the next half-hour and to notify his coachman and have the carriage readied.

Racing back to the house, he found Roper in the kitchens sipping a cup of tea.

“We are leaving for London as soon as you can pack for me. The quicker, the better.”

The valet rose and said, “I can have you ready in half an hour, Your Grace.”

“See to it,” Everett said.

He went to his study and dashed off a quick note to Painter, telling the steward that he was returning to London and wasn’t sure when he would be back at Cliffside. He asked for a weekly report to be sent regarding both the crops and the sheep.

He rang for a footman and handed the note to the servant, asking him to place it on the steward’s desk. He tidied up his desk, making sure he was leaving nothing undone.

Then he went upstairs and claimed the wedding gift he had yet to give to Addie, handing the box to Roper and asking that it be packed with his clothes.

Roper opened the trunk and said, “Then this is the last of it, Your Grace. We are ready to leave.”

Within five minutes, Everett was sitting in his carriage, eager to reach London.

And finally tell Addie that he loved her.

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