Page 29

Two years later

Bentley Estate

Kent

LYDIA HURRIED up to the front door of Malcolm’s cottage, a bundle of nerves and excitement.

Porter had retired a year ago, and Malcolm had moved into the stable master’s cottage.

Though he still visited often, having settled close by.

Lydia couldn’t deny it had been lovely, Malcolm having his own place now.

She sucked in a deep breath. Oh goodness, she was just a jumbled, bundled mess of emotions, both eager and uncertain.

There was only one way she would be able to do this.

And that was charging forward. She burst through the door.

And came to a stop at the sight of Mal and Freddy sharing a dram of whisky in the cottage’s cozy living area before the wood-burning hearth.

She paused, her heart drifting happily into place in her chest.

“Oh, excellent. You’re here, too, Freddy. I wanted to speak with you both together.”

She loved how close Freddy and Malcolm had grown over the past two years. After the thorough lecture Freddy had delivered to Malcolm when they’d returned from Devonford Castle that fateful day two years past, Malcolm properly chagrined, they’d fallen into a fast friendship.

Heaven help her, Freddy was a special kind of man. Because her best friend? He’d accepted Malcolm— a servant— as an equal. Because he was Lydia’s man. Her lover. So, to Freddy, Malcolm was family. And her heart could barely contain the happiness that gave her.

Malcolm sent one of his soul-stirring smiles her way, his piercing slate-blue eyes stealing her breath as they always did. “Mo chridhe, well, aren’t you a bonnie sight for sore eyes?”

She tucked in her chin and glanced at him through her lashes. “Thank you, love.”

Even after two years, he had her as bashful as a maiden caught in her first fancy. But she wasn’t a maiden. The topic she needed to discuss came barreling back. She twisted her fingers in her skirts and rolled her lips in.

“Lyddie… Is something amiss?” She could hear the frown in Freddy’s voice. He knew her well.

Malcolm, on the other hand, was already out of his chair and pulling her into his arms. “Something is wrong, lass?” He glanced between Freddy and her. “What’s wrong? Are ye hurt? Is it the children? Are you ill?”

Freddy snorted from behind them. “What is it they say in Scots, Malcolm? Haud yer wheesht. Let the woman speak.”

Malcolm smiled sheepishly down at her. “Apologies,” he mouthed.

She patted his chest. There really was no tactful way to say this. So, she just blurted it out. “I’m with child.”

Silence greeted her.

“I’m in the family way…” she tried again.

She prodded Malcolm’s chest. But he appeared to have turned to stone. She glanced around him and met Freddy’s warm amber gaze, one that was sharp and considering. Considering how they would handle this situation, if she knew him at all.

But then his gaze softened. “That is lovely news, Lyddie.” Freddy made his way over to them.

“Obviously, it was something we were trying to avoid. But now that the child is here, it is a thing to celebrate.” He turned to Malcolm.

“We will find a way to make it work so you can have a presence in the child’s life.

” Freddy clapped the still-frozen Malcolm on the shoulder.

“You hear that, Malcolm? You’re about to become a father. ”

The air burst from Malcolm, and he came back to life before her, his large hands coming to frame her face. “Is it true, mo chridhe?” he said hoarsely. “Ye have my bairn in your belly.”

Her face split into a foolish grin. “Aye,” she said saucily.

Malcolm whooped and swept her up into his arms, spinning them both in a whirl of joy. Laughter filled the small cottage, echoing off the walls as Malcolm finally settled her back on the ground.

She turned to Freddy. “But there is something else. I know the solution in a situation like this…is well, the child would be yours for all intents and purposes. But I want the child to be raised by Malcolm, Freddy. I want the child to live with and be raised by his father.”

Her best friend’s brows came together. “Lyddie, it’s not possible. We can’t hide you away for a year. We won’t be able to hide your condition. And you know we cannot allow it to be known you’re having someone else’s child.”

She reached out and squeezed Freddy’s hand.

“Of course not, Frederick. I would never want that either. Our family’s image must remain untarnished.

And I don’t want our children to think we’re anything but the loving family that we are.

We must always present a united front. Now, more than ever, it is imperative to solidify the Bentley name’s power and influence—to ensure no one can harm us, or Felix, in the future. ”

It had become apparent over the past two years that Lydia’s inkling about Felix was very likely, though her son hadn’t spoken more on the matter.

Yet. But she and Freddy both made sure they made it abundantly clear that they loved him.

Unconditionally. No matter what. And that he could come to them with anything.

Malcolm’s gaze bounced between the two. “Then how would it ever be possible, love? Regardless of if the bairn is mine. If you bear a child while married to Freddy, the world will see it as his. Even if you said otherwise, legally the law recognizes the child as his.”

“I have a plan,” she said, and her gaze locked on Malcolm. She lifted her chin, determination buzzing through her. “And it will allow our son to reside with you, Mal. No one will be the wiser.”

“All right, Lyddie,” Freddy said. “Let’s hear this plan of yours.”

Thank you for reading Lydia and Malcolm's story! I hope you fell head-over-heels for my big teddy-bear Scotsman. Sighhh . If you’re new here, welcome, and thank you for joining me in my world of Koz!