Death of a Duchess by Nellie Steele (the beginning after the end novel read TXT) 📗

“You are most understanding, Robert,” I answered, grateful for his kind and tolerant nature. “And I shall place him with the utmost haste.”

He smiled at me, then at the child. His gaze lingered until I spoke up again. “I promise,” I added.

His smile persisted, and I wondered what he found so amusing. “As far as I am concerned, the child has already found an excellent placement with a loving mother.”

My brow furrowed in confusion. He could not mean… “Robert!” I exclaimed before my mind finished my thought.

“Am I mistaken?” Robert questioned. “Do you prefer not to keep the child?”

I remained silent for a moment. “I had not considered the matter,” I admitted. “I acted in haste at the brothel with no plan.”

“And have you considered it now?”

The crinkle in my brow deepened, the concept still incredible to me. “I am not certain what to say. I… Are you suggesting…”

“I am suggesting that we take the child in. Tilly wished you to provide a good life for the boy. What better life than that of a Duke and Duchess’ son? Unless you object to raising the boy, I cannot fathom a better solution.”

I stood speechless. I had expected to receive, at best, a tongue-lashing about my lack of judiciousness and impulsivity. Instead, my husband welcomed the child into our home permanently. He provided a mechanism by which I could fulfill Tilly’s final wish.

Tears sprang to my eyes. “I am speechless,” I managed to breathe out. I struggled to compose myself.

“I hope these are tears of joy,” Robert prodded.

“Yes,” I replied, smiling at him. “Yes!” I wrapped one of my arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you! Tilly would be most pleased.” I bit my lower lip, staring down at the precious babe swaddled in her scarf.

“Oh!” Robert exclaimed, surprised by my reaction. “You are most welcome.” He grinned at me. “He is a handsome little chap. I shall be proud to call him my son.”

“Shall we finish our walk?” I asked after a breath.

“Yes. Unless you deem it to too chilly for the child. Or you are too weary to carry him.”

“Too weary?!” I exclaimed. “I feel as though I am walking on air. You relieved a great burden from me, Robert!”

We continued down the path. “Is there a need to make arrangements for a burial?” Robert inquired.

“No. Given our departure tomorrow morning, I left a sum with one of the girls at the brothel and instructed her to provide a proper burial.”

“Hmm,” Robert murmured. “We could delay our departure and see to the services ourselves. If you prefer to attend for your friend.”

I considered it. The paltry services the few shillings I’d contributed could afford would be a shabby send off, indeed. Plus, I wished to attend. I wished for Tilly’s child to attend. “I should like to attend, yes. But not if it is too much trouble to modify our travel arrangements.”

“Not at all!” Robert responded. “I shall see to it at once.”

I nodded. “I shall visit the brothel to make arrangements for her body to be…”

“No, you shall not,” Robert said, interrupting me. “I shall handle the matter. You shall attend to the important duty of seeing to our son’s wellbeing.”

Robert made a solid point. Someone must attend to the child. Though I could take him with me. “I…” I began.

 “I do not wish to see you go into that dangerous part of town again, anyway. The matter is closed. Give me the address and I shall make all the arrangements.”

I agreed, providing him with the information. We looped around, returning toward the hotel. Our conversation turned to discussing plans for our family’s new addition. Mr. Langford would be tasked with drawing up the adoption papers, an assignment I was certain would shock him when he learned of it this afternoon. He would also assist in hiring the necessary caregivers for the child.

We reached the hotel, and I took the baby straight to our suite. Robert arranged for milk to be sent to feed the child, now fussing and likely hungry. I sat rocking the baby in my arms awaiting the arrival of his meal and Robert’s return.

The door swung open, and Robert and Henry Langford entered. Robert glanced to me, holding the whimpering babe then around the room. “No milk as yet?”

“No,” I confirmed.

“Where the devil have they gone for it? To the fields to milk the damn cow themselves?”

“I am certain it will arrive at any moment.”

“I shall find out. The poor child is wailing with hunger!” Robert stepped into the hallway, only to return in seconds. “He is on his way now.”

The man arrived with milk and a spoon as requested though Robert still groused at him about being late. I set straight to feeding the child as Henry admired him over my shoulder.

“Congratulations, Duke,” he murmured, gazing at the child. “He is a handsome child.”

“Quite,” Robert agreed, his chest puffed. “He shall grow into a fine, strong man. He grasped my finger earlier whilst we walked in the park. His strength is impressive.”

“And little mother seems to be like a duck to water with his care,” Henry said, noting my ease with feeding the child.

“I have nursed many a babe at St. Mary’s. They can prove finicky at the start, but with some perseverance, the task can be managed.”

“We must arrange for the doctor to see him at once when we return home. And, of course, there is his christening to be seen to,” Robert mentioned. “Henry has agreed to handle all the necessary paperwork. Oh, we shall need to name him! Have you any ideas, Lenora?” He checked his pocket watch. “If you have, give it to Henry for the paperwork. I should be off to make arrangements for Tilly’s burial. Unless I am needed?”

I smiled at Robert. “No, dear, you may go. I shall finish feeding him and settle him for another nap.”

Robert kissed my forehead and