Page 34

Three weeks later

B elinda stroked the tiny fingers of the sleeping baby resting in her arms. Little Archibald Chetwynd, future Earl of Aylsham, was perfect.

The child was pink and healthy and had made both his parents exceedingly proud.

Finally, Belinda found she could take pleasure in sharing her sister’s joy, instead of recalling her own grief.

“I’m glad we have managed to see so much of you these last few weeks.

I hope you have forgiven us for sending you down to Devon—I genuinely felt that you needed a break from us.

You had been looking exceedingly pale and melancholy, and there’s nothing like a brisk walk on Dartmoor to bring the roses back into one’s cheeks.

And, as I understand it, there was a certain gentleman able to do the same. ”

Belinda placed a kiss on the little one’s forehead before handing him back to his mother.

“I thought my banishment cruel at first. But I understand everything far better now, and I hope it has helped me to grow up. I apologize—I didn’t know how much maturing I still had to do!

I imagined that as I had had a husband in everything but name, and borne a child, I knew all I needed to navigate the choppy waters of life.

How ignorant and how arrogant of me! I hope I shall be a much better person from now on, and I intend to be a completely honest one. ”

“Your new resolutions have landed you one of the biggest catches in London. Although you’re probably not aware of it, since you avoid gossip and have few friends.

Oh! I don’t mean to be unkind—I’m not saying that’s your fault.

We may have protected and cosseted you too much.

I mean, I have. Leo is innocent in most of this. ”

A warm feeling spread over Belinda, making her beam with happiness. “I have done rather well, haven’t I? I only hope the earl thinks the same.”

“Leo will make the right decision.”

Belinda raised her eyebrows. “How can you be so certain? Are we not all supposed to be on tenterhooks while we await the outcome of his meeting with Piers?”

Minty winked at her. “I am certain because I’ve told him what that decision is to be. I can tell how much in love you both are, and I’m sure Leo will recognize it as well. There can be no objection to Piers Darvill. Anyone would be glad to have him for a brother-in-law.”

Letting out a sigh, Belinda stood and walked across to the window. “I wish I had your confidence. Everyone has some dark secret, and often it’s at one’s moment of greatest triumph that said secret reveals itself, and one risks great loss.”

She’d already told Minty about Charlotte Lavoisier’s and Piers’s illegitimate son.

This meant that the earl would know, too, since this pair of lovebirds shared everything.

There was Piers’s rakish reputation as well, but since every handsome gentleman of worth had sown a few wild oats in their time, it was to be hoped that this would be overlooked.

Many a rake had been redeemed when he finally learned the true meaning of love.

“I trust you can be open with one another, eventually,” said Araminta, settling little Archie back in his cradle.

“I believe we already have been—assuming Piers has no more skeletons in his closet. We both know that I have nothing further to disclose. However, you have kept your counsel regarding how you won the Earl of Aylsham, and what made him like you, when you both detested each other to begin with.”

Belinda had the pleasure of seeing her sister’s face turn beetroot. She’d always guessed that something very untoward had happened to bring the couple together. Putting her hands on her hips, she gave her sister a level stare.

“Your face says it all, sister. I understand Mrs. Dove-Lyon stops at nothing in her matchmaking exploits. Are you ever going to tell me what happened?”

Minty sat down again and busied herself with rocking the cradle from side to side. “Perhaps, one day, I’ll reveal everything. I know I owe it to you because I realize it was hypocritical of me to condemn you for unladylike activities when I’ve indulged in extremely improper behavior myself.”

“Oh, well. If you won’t tell me, maybe I can ask Caroline, whose relationship with Mr. Starveling seems to be moving in a very positive direction. I dare say Starveling will have an idea of what has been going on at the Lyon’s Den in the last year.”

Her sister jumped up with a gasp. “Don’t you dare, Belinda!

I promise—I will tell you, one day. But for now, I beg you, please don’t pursue your inquiries any further.

Anyway, we can both play at that game. I could always ask Mrs. Dove-Lyon what part she played in matching you with Piers Darvill.

I expect that would bring a blush to your cheeks, would it not? ”

“What do you mean? I never gave her any money—except my winnings from a gambling game that I shouldn’t have been involved in.

She felt I owed her that. I worked in her kitchen for a spell, but we never entered into any contract, even though that was what I’d hoped to do originally.

You succeeded in winning your perfect partner, Minty.

I wished to do the same, but it seems I’ve managed it without the involvement of Mrs. Dove-Lyon, or anyone else from the Lyon’s Den. ”

Araminta shot her a knowing look. “ That remains to be seen.”

Frustratingly, Belinda couldn’t press her sister on what she meant, for at that moment, the door into the nursery opened quietly to admit Minty’s husband, the Earl of Aylsham.

“Darvill and I are done discussing the particulars. Allow me to extend my hearty congratulations to you, Belinda.”

Araminta’s arcane remark was forgotten, and Belinda flew into the earl’s open arms and accepted his embrace.

“You’ve said yes? Everything is agreed?”

“Have I not just said so?” The earl chuckled, then released her.

“Sorry, Araminta. I have to go.” Belinda hastened off in search of Piers, her heart full and her head buzzing with such excitement, it made her giddy.

She’d never truly believed that the earl—who was, in effect, her guardian—would object to Piers as a suitor and a husband.

Leo Chetwynd was an intelligent man, and for all that he appeared fierce or cold at times, she knew a heart of solid gold beat beneath his ribs.

He’d saved Minty and herself from penury, and he’d thrown his life into disarray to make his new wife happy.

He’d taken her on, too, even though she’d been a handful.

And she still was, she realized. Oh—if only the wedding could be soon! She needed to talk to Piers.

Belinda’s husband-to-be was waiting in the earl’s study, gazing through the long window to the grounds beyond where, behind a new brick wall, the children of the Forty Court Foundling’s Hospital were playing.

As he turned to her, she thought she’d never seen him look more handsome, tall, and elegant.

He was wearing his best blue jacket with dark trousers, which exaggerated the length of his legs.

His raven-black hair was brushed back, curling behind his ears and revealing the strong line of his jaw, and his warm hazel eyes glowed with love and satisfaction.

Belinda needed no invitation, but ran toward him, to be swept up in his arms and kissed with a thoroughness and a need that made her knees tremble. What a man! She was so lucky.

When they finally paused for breath, he said mockingly, “I assume the earl has told you the good news. He has made his inquiries and is satisfied that I can keep you in the manner to which you have become accustomed and can see no objection to us being wed as soon as it can be arranged. We will have to have the banns called, of course, unless you want me to obtain a special license?”

“It will feel more real if the banns are called. At the moment, I feel like I’m caught up in a dream, one so wonderful that I never want to wake.”

“You’re not dreaming, my little love, I assure you.

And neither am I. If we can achieve the same heights of domestic bliss as your sister and her husband, I could ask for nothing more.

Now, my darling, I must be on my way. I want to call on Roland to see if he’s heard anything about Tom Haggar and stop in at the Lyon’s Den to give Mrs. Dove-Lyon the good news.

I trust she’ll keep silent about your activities there.

After that, I’d better head down to Devon to make arrangements for Maman and Papa to come up to London.

It would be splendid if Papa could marry us. ”

He was going? So soon? Why, he’d barely even arrived, and he’d spent most of his time this morning closeted with the earl. There was so much they had to talk about, and despite the wonderful distraction of Minty’s firstborn, she felt hollow when Piers was not at her side.

“Don’t look so anxious, my sweet. Nothing’s going to come between us now, I swear it.”

She tilted her face for his kiss but her heart was beating erratically.

For no reason she could fathom, she didn’t want Piers to go to the Lyon’s Den.

They didn’t really need to have anything further to do with the place, did they?

What need would Mr. and Mrs. Piers Darvill have for a notorious gambling den and the black-clad widow sitting like a spider at its center?

Belinda leaned back against the earl’s desk and bit her lip.

The Lyon’s Den. There were so many secrets hidden there, so much dubious history—and so much temptation.

She would far rather she and Piers were married before either of them set foot in the place again.

Coming to a decision, she hurried after Piers to beg him to wait, but by the time she reached the front door of Forty Court, he’d already mounted up and was riding out through the gates.

She had to hope that her unnerving presentiment of doom was meaningless, just a result of her being in a high state of nervousness. She had to believe that everything would go according to plan. The alternative was unthinkable.