Page 16 of Dubious about the Duke (Second Sons of London 5)

The former actress nodded. “Yes. And soon, Sally found she also was with child.” Her voice was now a whisper as she took another sip of water.

“I continued onstage until I could no longer hide my condition. By then, all of Polite Society knew what had occurred. Sally and I retreated to the townhouse my marquess had gifted to me.”

Tears brimmed in her eyes. “My child came two weeks late. The midwife said that wasn’t unusual with a first child. Sally’s labor pains started the same day, only hours after mine did. We lay in the same bed together in order to make it easier on the midwife. I gave birth to Freddie first.” Her mouth trembled. “Charlie arrived almost twenty minutes later. And Sally died with my arm around her as I nursed my newborn son.”

Shock filled Win. His eyes flew to Blumer, who shrugged, obviously taken aback by the actress’ revelations.

More coughing occurred and he patiently waited for Miss Sawyer to recover.

When she did, she said, “I’ve let Charlie think he was mine all these years. That he and Freddie are brothers. I thought it would be easier.”

“What have you told them of their father?”

“Nothing. Other than his name was Sawyer and he died before they were born. They have only turned six a week ago. They haven’t known to ask many questions.” She paused, her gaze meeting his. “They do know I am dying.”

“Where are they now?”

Miss Sawyer shook her head. “I don’t know. The past two months, I have gotten worse and worse. They have come and gone. I haven’t been able to mother them. I don’t know what they’ve been up to.”

She tightened her fingers on his. “Please, Your Grace. Look for them. Promise that you will help find them a home.”

Determination filled Win. “They will come to live on my country estate, Miss Sawyer. I shall find a childless couple to take them on and care for them. I will see that they learn to read and write. If they want an education, it is theirs. If they choose to learn a trade, I will see they have the proper instruction.”

Her tears flowed freely now and she kissed his hand. “Thank you, Your Grace. You... are similar in coloring and looks to your brother. But you... are nothing like him.” She winced. “He is the true bastard. Not my boys.”

A violent shudder seized her and she began coughing up blood. It poured from her nose and mouth.

“Get Dr. Cook,” Win shouted and Blumer opened the door.

Miss Sawyer clutched at her throat as if she couldn’t breathe. He patted her on the back like a fool, thinking it might do some good. More blood spewed from her, landing upon his coat and trousers.

Dr. Cook said, “Move, Your Grace. Wait outside.”

He stepped away from the bed and found he couldn’t leave, watching as she trembled and coughed. Then she gasped and fell back onto the pillows.

And was still.

Win saw her large green eyes staring out vacantly. The physician brushed his palm across them, closing them.

“She’s gone,” Cook said.

“I will see to the burial costs,” he said.

“You don’t have to do that,” Your Grace,” the runner said.

“I know. I want to do it for her. It is the least I can do after my brother treated her so abominably and abandoned her.” He swallowed, his heart heavy, seeing the once-beautiful actress lying in all the blood and filth.

“Blumer, do you have any idea where her boys might be?”

“Somewhere on the streets,” the detective said. “I’ll find them now.”

Win gazed steadily at the runner. “We’ll find them. Together.”

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