Page 7 of Her Honorable Viscount (Noble Pursuits #3)

CHAPTER 7

D ot’s mouth dropped open at Mr. Redgrave’s declaration.

She knew of his reputation with women, of course, but he had always been proper enough at social functions, although all knew he enjoyed gambling tables and widows.

His offer was to be admired, but marriage? She respected him stepping up for this, but she couldn’t help but wonder what Edward would think of it.

According to his expression, he was stunned.

“Michael, you can’t be serious,” Adelaide said, nearly laughing.

“I am serious. Completely,” he said, coming over to kneel in front of her, taking her hands in his as Adelaide stared down at him in wonder. “I know I’m not the best man around, but the thought of you – and the baby – alone and in ill health makes me nearly mad. I will ensure that you are healthy, strong, and well-looked after. The only way I can ensure all of that is to have you under my roof.”

“Perhaps I should be your mistress,” Adelaide said gently, surprising Dot. “It would be far more common, I am sure.”

“Then I would eventually have two women to care for,” Michael said, his eyes widening. “I could never take that on.”

Well, at least the man knew his limitations.

“You will be scandalized,” Adelaide said.

Michael rolled his eyes. “I do not care.”

But Edward would.

Dot glanced at him again, and he met her gaze, finally recovering.

“Michael, you can be rather impulsive. Why do we all not think about this for a time before coming to any conclusions? I promise, Adelaide, we will look after your well-being, no matter what.”

Michael rose to his feet and looked down at his brother, who was still sitting in one of Magda’s comfortable, warm chairs.

Magda was standing at the side of the room, arms crossed, wearing a look of amusement. Dot caught her eye and smirked. Her mentor was enjoying this far too much.

“Edward,” Michael said, his eagerness growing, and Dot sensed that as steady and practical as Edward was, Michael was completely opposite and as impulsive as could be. “You might care about the scandal, but I do not. This is my life. If I want to marry Adelaide, then I will marry her. With or without your support.”

Edward stood and snorted. “You could never survive without my support.”

“No?” Michael said, drawing back his shoulders, even though he still had to look up at his brother. “Watch me. Come on, Adelaide.”

Adelaide pushed up from the sofa, one hand on her stomach and a look of queasiness on her face. Instead of walking to Michael, she glanced at Dot, who decided it was time to finally intervene.

“Actually, Mr. Redgrave,” she said, “I would first like to examine Adelaide, if that is all right with the two of you?”

Adelaide nodded, and Magda pushed off from her position against the wall.

“Use the room in the back,” Magda said, and Dot nodded, leading Adelaide out of the main room toward the back of the small house, leaving the brothers and their tension behind.

“Well,” Adelaide said with a huge exhale as they entered the smaller room. “That was interesting.”

“It was, wasn’t it?” Dot said with a small smile on her face – one that she and Adelaide shared. The tension released from both of them as they found solace in one another, and soon the two were chuckling together.

Dot liked her. The woman had pluck, which she would need if she decided to take Michael up on his offer and marry into a noble family. Dot hated to think of what would await her from others in the ton , but that wasn’t for her to be concerned about, now was it?

“I am happy to help you how ever I can, Adelaide,” she said. “That might mean navigating social circles eventually, but for today, I am here to help look after your health and that of the little life you carry. Now, come lie down on the bed if you don’t mind.”

She patted the bed, and Adelaide lay down before her. Dot went through all the routine checks, finding nothing amiss, before she sat back and began to ask her the usual questions.

“Michael might not have said it as he should have, but he is right. To be frank, you do not appear to be in robust health. Can you tell me about what you are eating and how you are sleeping?”

Adelaide sat back up and was silent for a moment. Dot was certain she was trying to decide whether or not to lie to her. Dot could see the moment Adelaide relented when her face dropped, vulnerability taking over.

“Very well. Since I told my brother I was expecting, he has been asking more of me at the tavern. More hours. I’m always on my feet, and I’m exhausted. Added to that, it seems anytime I look at food, I need to vomit, and the food at the tavern is not exactly appetizing on a good day.”

“And your sleep?”

“It’s difficult when one is concerned about just what the future will hold.”

“I see.” Dot paused, contemplating the situation. It was heartbreaking, especially when she knew that it was nothing out of the ordinary. This was life for most people. Just look at Lucy, who would be on her own after surviving the first week post-birth on the benevolence of a kind housekeeper. What if she didn’t have someone like Mrs. Adams?

As a midwife, Dot’s job was to see to the birth. But it was becoming apparent that more was needed. She just didn’t know how to get there.

“I know I told you that I try not to become involved in my patients’ lives,” she said. “But I do feel like something needs to change for you.”

“You think I should take Michael up on his offer, don’t you?”

Dot hesitated. What might work for the pregnancy perhaps wouldn’t be what Adelaide needed for the rest of her life. But she did need help.

“I would certainly take his offer to provide you a home and all you might need. Marriage is rather final, so that is your choice. I do not know enough about your relationship nor what you want in your life.”

“Any woman in my position would be falling all over herself to marry a man of his station,” Adelaide said. “But Michael is not reliable. He is fun, but how am I to know if he would still want to be married to me in a week?”

“Perhaps you give him some time to prove himself?” Dot suggested, and Adelaide nodded.

“I will think about it. I had my own plans for my life, but now…. Now everything has changed.”

“Of course it has, and you need some time to decide what’s right for you. In the meantime, let him take care of you.”

“You mean the brother.”

Dot raised a brow.

“He is the one who arranged this, who will make sure that I am looked after. Michael probably wouldn’t have come if it weren’t for him.”

Dot paused, considering that. Lord Mandrake appeared to enjoy righting wrongs, and yet… most noblemen would have paid for the problem to go away. But here he was, making sure that Adelaide was looked after.

There was more of a heart beating in his chest than he ever let on, that was for certain.

“Well, both of them are here. Accept the help, Adelaide. If you need anything, I am here for you. I will see you every few weeks until the baby comes. When you decide where to settle, let me know where to find you.”

“Very well.”

Adelaide slid off the bed before fixing her with a stare.

“Thank you. I wasn’t sure what to expect from you – especially when I discovered who you were. But you have been surprisingly helpful.”

Dot laughed at that.

“I am glad to hear it. Take care, Adelaide.”

“Thank you.”

Dot followed her out of the room, watching Adelaide pick up her bag and walk out the door, Michael following. Dot would have loved to hear that conversation. She could sense the spark between the two of them, but she wasn’t sure if it would burn brightly or if it would explode and then wholly fizzle out.

She hoped for the former, especially now that there was another life that would be intertwined through both of theirs.

Lord Mandrake cleared his throat, drawing Dot’s attention.

“Lady Dot,” he said slowly, his eyes lifting to meet hers, hesitation held within them. “Could I, perhaps, walk you home?”

Dot nodded. Best to get this conversation over with. She’d like to explain herself. At least now, he would know exactly why she couldn’t marry him. It was rather a relief to have this all out in the open.

“Yes. I would like that.”

She said farewell to Magda, who seemed bursting with questions.

“Next week,” Dot murmured in her ear before walking to the door. John was leaning against a building across the street, and she nodded to him, gesturing east toward home. He seemed to understand as he pushed off the wall and began to follow behind them.

“Your servant?” Lord Mandrake asked, which she confirmed.

“Where did Mr. Redgrave go?” she asked.

“He told me he would follow Adelaide home and help her pack her things to move them to his apartment. It is supposed to be for gentlemen only, so I am interested in how he will manage it. Knowing Michael, however, he will get away with it. He always does.”

“With your help, it seems.”

Edward snorted, shaking his head. “As always.”

She tilted her head as she looked over at him. “Why is it so important to you, to always look after everyone else?”

His jaw tightened. “I was put in a position of power. I have the means to be able to do this, so how could I not?”

“Your brother is a grown man.”

Edward sighed. “I know what you are going to say. That he needs to start taking accountability for his decisions or he will keep making the same mistakes. But what am I supposed to do?”

“I know you are doing your best,” she said quietly. It shouldn’t matter to her what he did with his life. She observed his stern yet handsome profile, allowing him to lead the way. “Do you understand now why I couldn’t marry you nor consider your suit?”

“Because you have this occupation,” he said, not looking at her, and she could sense the judgment in his tone.

“I knew that it was not something of which you would approve,” she said. “I could never be your wife while also doing the work I love.”

“I would still marry you,” he said quietly, and she started in surprise, especially when her heart leaped toward him at his statement.

“You would marry me despite my being a midwife?”

“I wouldn’t hold it against you that you were one,” he said. “Everyone has a past.”

Her hope came tumbling down as her shoulders slumped.

“But you would make me give it up.”

“I would not put it quite like that, but, of course,” he said in surprise. “I could not be married to a midwife.”

“That is exactly why I turned you down,” she said, bitter even though she had no reason to be. Of course he wouldn’t be with a midwife. It was the very reason she had denied him. “I have no interest in this being part of my past. It is part of my future as well.”

“You would not give it up?” It was his turn to be surprised.

“No,” she said firmly. “I love what I do and intend to keep doing it. Marriage or not.”

His face fell, but he nodded slowly in understanding. “Very well.”

Before she could respond, he came to a quick stop, placing a hand against her hip to still her, and it was only then that Dot looked up to see what was in their path.

It was not a what but a who. They had entered Mayfair, and there, in front of them, stood Lady Carroway.

As though this day couldn’t get any worse.