'About an hour ago, my lord,' Hawkins said grimly.
'She took Honor?' God, had she not remembered her maid's wedding was to be celebrated on Sunday?
'She did,' Hawkins said sourly.
'Damnation!' the duke swore softly, and then he said to his valet, 'I am sorry, Hawkins, but they'll be back.'
'It had better be sooner than later,' the valet told his master.
'I know,' the duke said. 'When does Honor believe the baby is due, Hawkins?'
'Late autumn, my lord. You would have thought that Honor would tell Her Grace now that we are to be wed,' Hawkins despaired.
'Do not be angry at Honor, old friend,' the duke advised his valet. 'She has been with her mistress since Allegra was a child. Her loyalty to the duchess is very great as is yours to me.'
'If the parson had already said the words over us I should not worry so much,' Hawkins told his master. 'I don't want anyone thinking my Honor a loose woman. What happens when her belly begins to show?'
'They will be back long before then, Hawkins, I am certain of it. Her Grace is frightened by her father's new child. She believes I shall not love her because she is not the richest girl in England any longer,' the duke explained.
'Bloody silly, if you ask me,' Hawkins muttered. 'You loves Her Grace, and any fool can plainly see it.'
'So I am told,' Quinton Hunter said with a smile. 'Her Grace will go to London, and when she has had time to consider, she will realize how ridiculous it is to believe I should not love her because she is no longer her father's only heir. They will be back quickly, for as you recall, Her Grace does not really like the city at all.'
No, she didn't like London. It was dirty, and noisy, and crowded; but it wasn't Hunter's Lair. Marker was very surprised to see her, especially without her husband. Charles Trent raised an eyebrow, but made no other comment than to welcome her return to Berkley Square. The new social season was beginning, and a fresh crop of debutantes was arriving to embark on the husband hunt. She called on Lady Bellingham.
'My dear gel, I had not thought to see yon back in town for some time to come,' Lady Bellingham said. She was quite her old self now that her niece had been rescued.
'I should like a voucher for Almack's,' Allegra told her old patroness.
Clarice Bellingham's warm gray eyes scanned Allegra s beautiful face. It was obvious that she was distressed and running away from something. It was impossible not to probe. 'Will you need one for Quinton?' she asked casually.
'My husband is not in town, nor do I expect him,' Allegra replied, swallowing back her tears.
'My dear gel, what has happened?' Lady Bellingham burst out, unable to restrain herself. 'Surely you are not estranged?'
'My father and Aunt Mama are having a baby. I shall no longer be the richest girl in England, madame. My husband has been cheated. I could not remain at Hunter's Lair under the circumstances. Sirena has had a little boy for Pickford. Caroline and Eunice are breeding, but I am not. I have proved a bad bargain for Sedgwick. I have come to London to think.'
Lady Bellingham put a hand over her mouth to stifle her cry of astonishment. 'Septimius and Olympia are breeding? You are certain?'
'Madame, I saw my father and his wife but a few weeks ago. She is quite full with her child which shall come in mid-May,' Allegra answered in a tight little voice.
'Gracious me,' Lady Bellingham responded. 'Who would have thought that Olympia and Septimius would have a child between them at their ages, bless me. And of course your father's wealth will now be divided, but has your husband said that he is disappointed, dear gel?'
'He says he loves me, and that it doesn't matter.' Allegra began to sob. 'But of course it matters. My wealth was offered to him in exchange for his name. It is a good name, Lady Bellingham, a proud and honorable name that even eclipses the king's lineage.'
'Has your father said that he is cutting you off, dear gel?'
'No,' Allegra wailed. 'He says that he and my husband must renegotiate the terms of our marriage after his child is born. A boy, however, will be given the lion's portion. My worth to my husband will be nothing now.' And she wept into her hands.
Lady Bellingham considered for several long moments while Allegra cried piteously. Finally she said, 'I believe you are mistaken, my dear gel. I have known Quinton Hunter for his entire life. He is proud of his heritage, and it is true he sought a rich wife, but I know he loves you dearly. Your father's wealth is so great that even if you were given but a third of it, you should still be a very rich woman. But Quinton would love you nonetheless, my dear gel, even if you had nothing.'
'How can you believe that?' Allegra wailed.
'Because for all his bluster last season about not falling in love, Quinton Hunter did just that. He fell in love with you. The fact that your papa settled an incredible amount on you no longer makes any difference. But Septimius Morgan will not cut you off. He will, I am certain, see you and Quinton have a most handsome allowance. Certainly far better than other young couples. You are being quite silly. Now dry your eyes. You can trust your husband. Spend a few days in London amusing yourself, and then go home, dear gel.'
'You really think it will be all right?' Allegra sniffed. 'Oh, dear Lady Bellingham, I do not know what is the matter with me these days!'
'Why, you are breeding, dear gel. Didn't you realize it?' the older woman replied. 'You are at least two months gone, I should guess. And,' she concluded quite archly, 'I am very good at guessing.'
'You are breeding, dear child,' Lady Bellingham repeated. 'You are going to have a baby.'
'I can't be,' Allegra cried.
'And why not? You do have normal relations with your husband, don't you? Of course you do. And when was the last time you had any show of blood? Think!'
Allegra clapped a hand over her mouth. 'Ohhhh!' she gasped.
'Women who are breeding are often given to foolish fancies, my dear gel,' Lady Bellingham said calmly. 'And more often than not they do not see the forest for the trees. It probably happened just before you went to France.' She smiled a kindly smile, and reaching out, patted Allegra's hand. 'Rest a few days from your journey, and then return home. I believe your husband will he very happy to learn your news.'
'I should be certain,' Allegra said slowly.
'I shall send Doctor Bradford to see you tomorrow morning. He has looked after me for years, and is most discreet,' Lady Bellingham told her guest. 'Now, shall we have some tea?'
'Yes, please,' Allegra said. 'And cake, too, I hope.'
Lady Bellingham laughed. 'Of course, dear gel. Of course.'
