Page 29 of Her Honorable Viscount (Noble Pursuits #3)

Dot emerged from the back bedroom exhausted but filled with joy.

Which only grew when she looked around her at the people walking through the corridors and sitting together in the drawing room below.

The voices, chatter, and baby cooing filled her ears, while a roast chicken being prepared for dinner smelled heavenly.

All of these women and children were supported and content, including the newest additions to their home who she had just welcomed in the room behind her.

After taking a moment to herself, Dot walked through the facility, greeting women and ensuring all was well.

She rubbed her own growing belly as she stared upon the babies, almost shocked that, soon enough, she would be welcoming one of her own.

A baby with Edward.

A smile graced her lips as she gathered the few belongings she had brought with her and left the house for the waiting carriage.

The driver always pulled up right to the door, but they never allowed any men into the house, for they could cause worry in some of the women whose past experiences were particularly troublesome.

A surprise was waiting for her when she entered the carriage.

“Edward!” she said. “What are you doing here?”

“I missed you,” he said simply, holding his arms out to her. “You had been gone for some time.”

“It was a long birth,” she agreed, nestling in beside him as he wrapped an arm around her back. “I missed you too.”

“You are feeling well?” he asked, peering into her eyes as though to make certain for himself. “And the mother and baby are healthy?”

“Everyone is perfectly fine,” she said with a smile. “I am well, though tired.”

“We will get you home and rested,” he promised, and she smiled gratefully at him.

“It is beautiful there, Edward,” she said. “Thank you so much.”

“There is no need to thank me,” he shook his head. “It is all because of you.”

“Is it worth it?” she asked. “I wouldn’t say we are entirely ostracized, but you know there are people who refuse to include us in their circles anymore.”

“More than worth it,” he said confidently. “I have seen that firsthand.” He hesitated a moment before asking, “How is Adelaide?”

“She is doing as well as can be expected,” Dot said.

“You should tell Michael. He is overcome with worry.”

“I will,” she promised. She knew Michael’s intentions were honest. She had tried to make Adelaide see that, but she was still suffering from her mistrust.

Dot hoped they could find their way forward. But that was a story for another time.

Today, she was happy here, with her husband, the love of her life.

A love she had never thought possible.

But that proved itself each and every day.