Page 65 of Taken By the Dangerous Duke

“Thank you,” responded Cynthia. “It will be nice to spend time with you, and I do want to be close to the people who are helping me. With everything that is going on with our families, I don’t know who to trust anymore. Has London always been like this?”

This time, the footman was quick enough to get to the door first, and he opened it for Margaret and Cynthia.

“I fear that it has, but we have both been so sheltered that we have not witnessed it. I am glad that my eyes are opened to the ways of the world now. I don’t want to live in the shadows anymore, and if this is what it has taken for me to break free, then I am glad for it.”

Cynthia sighed as she sat on the padded bench. The coach started to move after Margaret gave the order for them to be taken to the duke’s London residence.

“I just wish that there could be more good in the world. Please tell me that life is not all bad, Margaret. I always thought that there was more good than bad in this world, but I am starting to doubt that now.”

“Don’t doubt it, Cynthia. There is more good than bad in this world—I am sure of that. In fact… I wasn’t sure if I was going to tell anyone, or when I was going to tell them, but if I was going to tell anyone, it was going to be you.”

“What is it? Your face has lit up like nothing I have ever seen before.”

“It is the most exciting news, Cynthia. I still can’t believe it myself.”

“Well, don’t tease me like this. What is your news?” asked Cynthia.

Margaret took a deep breath and placed her hands on her stomach.

“I am pregnant,” she stated.

“Oh, my goodness!” squealed Cynthia. “Are you serious?”

Margaret smiled and nodded her head, the excitement threatening to burst out.

“I went to see the doctor here yesterday, and he confirmed it for me. I had an inkling that I was with child, but now I know for sure. I simply can’t believe it, Cynthia. I’m going to be a mother.”

“This is the best news I have ever heard in my life. You truly have cheered me up. First, you get me out of that prison, and now you tell me you are going to have a child.”

“Well, it was the duke who got you out—” Margaret laughed. “I guess he had a hand in both.”

Cynthia joined in with the laughter, both of them joyous inside the small carriage as it trundled down the road.

“But you must tell me of your business with the duke. You alluded to something when you visited me, and I have to know what is going on with you.”

“I really don’t know how to explain it, Cynthia. I had to get away from London so I would not have to marry that awful man my parents had picked out, and they were only doing it for the money. That is why they did what they did to you. The duke saved me on the way out of London, and that is how we ended up together.”

“It all sounds so romantic,” said Cynthia wistfully.

“It does sound romantic.” Margaret sighed. “But it is not. You see, the duke took pity on me because of my situation, and there was his father to think about.”

Cynthia stared at Margaret with a confused look on her face.

“His father passed a few years ago,” continued Margaret. “When he passed, his dying wish was for Arthur to carry on the family name. So, you see, it was not romantic, even if it does sound that way. I needed a way out, and the duke needed a child. It was a good… arrangement. And now, the duke has what he needed—if the child is a boy.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“I don’t really either,” agreed Margaret. “We both agreed to this. When I give him a child, I can do as I wish, and he has an entire wing of his house set aside for me if I want to stay there.”

“And do you?” asked Cynthia.

“I don’t want to be away from my child. But it feels more complicated now. Over the past few months, we have grown closer to each other. And I know the reason he does not want a wife has nothing to do with me, and everything to do with his past. And I thought he felt something for me—I was sure of it, but I told him I loved him, and he didn’t reply. I mean, it was blurted out on my part, and I don’t know if I do or not, but I do have feelings for him, and I thought he had the same for me, but I must have been imagining it.”

“Well, why don’t you talk to him about it?” asked Cynthia.

“Because I am scared,” responded Margaret straight away.

“Scared?”

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