Wickeds Scandal by Kathleen Ayers

30

Alexandra helped herself to another muffin. Mrs. Cowries adored baking and Alexandra was a willing test subject for her housekeeper’s new recipes. These particular muffins were filled with berries and held a hint of vanilla. She liberally applied butter to the still-steaming muffin and turned her attention to the letter on the breakfast table, but not before addressing her swollen stomach.

“Your Aunt Miranda is most upset that we are still here and not at Blackburn Heath.” She chuckled and patted the mound again. “Now I fear it is too late. But she’s coming to visit.”

Miranda and the Dowager still resided at Blackburn Heath. At first shocked that Alexandra would leave them to return to Helmsby Abbey, the Dowager gave into Alexandra’s stubbornness. She’d agreed to maintain the charade that Alexandra was at Blackburn Heath, making sure to write to her cronies in the ton on a regular basis, certain the gossip would get back to Jeanette. Now that Alexandra admitted she carried the heir to Cambourne, the Dowager and Miranda were determined to bring her to them. Alexandra refused to budge. Now it didn’t matter. She was simply too large to travel. Her child would be born at Helmsby Abbey.

She put down Miranda’s letter, wobbling a bit as she did so. Her enlarged size amazed Alexandra. Mrs. Cowries suspected twins. But Alexandra claimed her size was due to the enormous amount of food Mrs. Cowries continued to tempt her with. She patted her stomach in contentment. If not for Sutton’s abandonment, Alexandra would be blissfully happy.

No letter had ever arrived. Nor had he communicated with the Dowager or his sister. Alexandra assumed her husband communicated with Viscount Lindley, but since the viscount was in Bermuda, she could not ask him.

Alexandra tried not to think of Sutton. Most days she succeeded. The renovations to Helmsby Abbey took nearly every waking moment. When she wasn’t supervising the building of the new barn, Alexandra tended to the vast Cambourne estates assisted by an army of solicitors. But at night, Sutton invaded her dreams.

She woke nearly every morning by reaching out to touch the pillow next to her head, disappointed each time that Sutton’s dark head did not grace it. Alexandra dreamed of the dragon, its endless tail stretching out as far as she could see. She begged the tail to wind around her and bring her to Sutton. He had to be at the other end. Except he never was.

The baby kicked, interrupting her thoughts. She watched in amazement as her stomach rippled and moved. Closing her eyes, she thought of the child she carried. No matter what happened Alexandra would have this child. Forever. Cherished and loved by her.

While he hadn’t known about the child she carried, Sutton made sure that she, the Dowager and his sisters would receive every bit of the Cambourne fortune and estates that was not entailed. Herbert would receive the title and Blackburn Heath but little else should Sutton not return. Alexandra often wondered if Jeanette, immersed in her greed and ambition, and certain of her own intelligence, would think Sutton capable of outsmarting her. Jeanette would be very surprised.

A carriage rolled into the drive of Helmsby Abbey bearing the Cambourne coat of arms. Alexandra’s heart caught in her throat. She hurried to the front door, clenching her hands in excitement. She opened the door and rushed out to the drive.

The carriage door swung open and a spill of violet silk followed. “Goodness, Alexandra! You look as if you swallowed the Christmas goose!”

Alexandra felt her face freeze into a smile. She tried not to show her disappointment that the coach contained only Miranda. But she wasn’t quick enough.

Dazzling emerald eyes regarded her with regret. “You thought I was Sutton.” Miranda murmured something comforting and held Alexandra close.

“I suppose I did. I know it’s foolish.” Alexandra hugged her friend tightly. “I am so very glad you are here. I’ve missed you terribly.” She pulled back from Miranda’s embrace and took her friend’s hand. “Not in the least disappointed.”

“You are a poor liar, Lady Cambourne. My goodness, what a charming place. And you say there is a library? Oh, I shall adore getting my hands dirty while I help you clean it. I am relieved that your horrid uncle didn’t sell your books as he did the furniture.”

“Odious Oliver never did see the value in books,” Alexandra said wryly.

Miranda waltzed through the large front door and removed her bonnet, tossing it on a side table. Jameson, the aged butler, moved as quickly as he could to catch Miranda’s cloak.

“My apologies, my lady.” His hand shook as he collected Miranda’s things.

Miranda looked over his head at Alexandra. A smile twitched her lips.

“This is Jameson. Jameson, this is Lady Miranda. See that the blue room is made up for her.”

Jameson nodded, hurrying away as fast as his aged legs could carry him. When he vanished around a corner, Miranda burst into laughter.

“He is even older than Grandmother. Possibly older than Bevins and he is quite ancient.” Miranda looked at Alexandra, all amusement gone from her gaze. “You were right to save them. Because of you they have a home.”

“Yes, well,” her voice caught, “it has cost me dearly. Though I have no regrets.”

Miranda moved forward, but Alexandra waved her away. “It’s all right. Women’s nerves. The baby.” She ran her hands over her stomach.

Miranda looked as if about to mention Sutton, then thought better of it. She smiled brightly. “Yes. The baby. I am full of questions. Does it kick? Do you dream about it? I say that only because I read once that a woman who is enceinte will sometimes dream about her child and the dreams come true. And furthermore-”

Alexandra laughed, grateful her friend had chosen a subject Alexandra did not mind discussing. “Miranda, that is quite the most anyone has said to me in quite some time. I must catch my breath.”

Miranda giggled, her green eyes bright and so like Sutton’s that Alexandra felt a spurt of longing for him.

Miranda cocked her head, her gaze knowing. “He’s a dimwit, Alex. I never thought to say such a thing about Sutton. But he has to be addled to have left you.” Miranda put her hand to Alexandra’s cheek. “He does love you, you know. I saw it that day at Thrumbadge’s. My brother is just a bit,” she hesitated, “damaged.”

Alexandra shook her head. “Miranda, you don’t need to tell me.”

“You need to understand why he would react the way he did. I’m not excusing Sutton, mind you, only I empathize. I know all about the business between him and Mother. She’s a terrible person, my mother.” Miranda’s lips hardened, and she looked away for a moment. “When I was a child and Sutton just a lad about to go to Eton, my mother used to say things to him. Horrible things. I knew even then she hated him.” Miranda shook her head. “Sutton used to moon after Mother. Obeyed her every whim. He was so desperate for her to love him. Hungry for it, in fact. I often wondered why, as she never loved me, and I don’t miss it.”

Alexandra noted the thread of hurt in Miranda’s words and gently placed a hand on her friend’s shoulder.

“I am not excusing his behavior, Alex. I just want you to understand that Sutton never allows anyone to see who he really is, but I suspect he allowed you to, and it scared him. Mother saw that. She is an expert at finding a person’s weak spot and exploiting it.

“I should have told him, Miranda. About Helmsby Abbey. I knew it was wrong to keep the truth from him.”

“Actually, I believe the fault is Grandmother’s. She shouldn’t have purchased Helmsby Abbey without telling either of you, though it’s glorious, by the way.”

“I don’t blame the Dowager. I blame myself.” Alexandra’s brow wrinkled. “I should have told him before I married him, but I was-”

“Afraid he would run away? Mother did this to him before. Years ago.” She cocked a brow at Alexandra. “But we won’t speak of that now.” She gave a pointed look at Alexandra’s stomach. “I know Grandmother’s told you everything. About Elizabeth. In case-”

“Sutton doesn’t return.” The words hung in the air between them. So, the Dowager had lost hope that her grandson would come back to England. Desolation and emptiness stole over her, and for a moment she allowed herself to wallow in it before pushing it aside. Now was not the time for her to be weak. The lives and well-being of many depended on her. Alexandra lifted her chin, pushing aside her fear. “No matter what,” she placed her hand on her stomach, “we shall be fine.”

Miranda nodded in approval. “He will return, and I look forward to watching him beg your forgiveness. But until then, I am here. I won’t leave you.”