“What was your plan?” he said, bitterness lacing his voice. “Pretend the child was mine and claim the baby was premature when it was born months early?”
She raised a tearstained face to look at him. The breeze blew her hair across her eyes. “I’m sorry, Darius. I was going to tell you right after the wedding. I swear.”
“A little late then, don’t you think?”
“I didn’t want you to—” She broke down and sobbed harder.
“Admit it, Meredith. You needed a husband and anyone would’ve done.”
“You’re wrong. I care about you a great deal. Plus, you already have a daughter, so I knew you’d be a good father.” She rifled through her purse for a handkerchief. “We can still be a family, Darius. The four of us. There’s nothing to stop us from going through with the wedding.” Hope brightened her eyes.
Needing to move, he got to his feet and paced the grass. Would he have felt differently if he’d been in love with Meredith? He didn’t know. The fact remained that although he was fond of her and had hoped to build a life with her, he couldn’t marry a woman who would try and pass off another man’s child as his. Even if she’d been honest from the beginning, he doubted he could have gone along with her plan.
He turned to face her and shook his head. “I’m afraid I can’t condone that type of deception.”
Her features crumpled. “What am I going to do now? My parents will disown me. Where will I go?”
“Your parents don’t know?” He figured they must have been aware of her situation since they’d agreed to such a quick wedding.
“You know my father. How could I tell him?” She wiped her cheeks again and got to her feet. “Darius, please. I’ll do anything if you marry me. We could even get a divorce later, if that’s what you want.”
“A divorce?” He scowled. “Wouldn’t that be just as disgraceful?”
“Not really. Divorce is becoming more common these days. My family could accept a failed marriage but not an unwed pregnant daughter.” She reached over to grip his arm. “Just think of what this could mean for Sofia. Think of everything we could give her. A nice home. Beautiful clothes. Private schools.”
He tugged free from her grasp. She certainly knew how to tempt him where he was the most vulnerable. He rubbed the back of his neck. Could he compromise his principles for Sofia’s sake? To secure the type of future he’d envisioned for her?
His thoughts turned to Mr. Walcott and his underhanded schemes to obtain the Bennington property. Schemes he expected Darius to go along with for the promise of job security and a raise. Now Meredith dangled this reward in front of him if only he’d go along with her ruse.
Were his lofty morals worth losing his job and a coveted life of security for Sofia?
At that moment, the image of Olivia Rosetti rose in his mind. Olivia, weeping over an injured woman she didn’t even know, then crying tears of joy for a baby born under terrible circumstances. Olivia was living her faith, helping the unfortunate, just as Jesus mandated His followers to do. She would never compromise her morals for any type of personal gain.
How could he do any less?
Slowly, he turned back to his red-eyed fiancée. “I’m afraid the answer has to be no, Meredith. I’m sorry, but I can’t marry you.”
19
Seated in a rocking chair the next morning, Olivia cradled the sleeping Abigail in her arms. Mrs. Dinglemire had left a few minutes earlier, after coming to check on the newborn. The midwife had weighed Abigail and rechecked her vital signs, then used the opportunity to give all the women in the home a lesson on bathing and caring for an infant. Promising to return the next day, Mrs. Dinglemire had stopped to see Mrs. Neale on her way out to discuss the formula recipe they’d been using.
All in all, the midwife had seemed pleased with the baby’s progress, which gave Olivia an immense feeling of satisfaction.
Little Abigail squirmed in her arms and sighed. The warmth of the tiny body against Olivia’s chest acted like a sedative, allowing her muscles to relax and her soul to sing. Never had she felt more at peace, more certain of what she needed to do. She would take care of this precious girl until her mother regained her strength. Then she and Ruth would help Mary determine her future, hopefully one that didn’t include the man who’d beaten her. Baby Abigail did not need a father like that. She deserved someone loving and kind, someone who would lay down his life for her.
Olivia’s thoughts instantly turned to Darius, and a smile teased her lips. He’d been so thoughtful, coming to visit Mary, bringing her flowers, and gushing over little Abigail. Darius Reed would never harm a woman or child. She knew this in the very marrow of her bones.
And he’d promised to come back and check on the baby one day soon. Flutters swirled in Olivia’s stomach just thinking about it.
Stop it, Olivia. You’re being ridiculous.
Fantasizing about Darius was a futile endeavor since she’d vowed never to trust a man with her heart again. Besides, if he ever learned the horror of her past, he’d want nothing to do with her.
And soon he would have no further reason to visit Bennington Place, once his boss accepted the fact that the property was not for sale. Disappointment stole her breath at the thought of never seeing Darius again. Never witnessing that engaging grin or being able to stare into those mesmerizing blue eyes.
Surely it couldn’t hurt to enjoy the pleasure of his company while it lasted.
Angry shouts from outside the house drew Olivia from her daydreams. What was going on now? Was Mr. Simmons harassing some poor woman again?
Carefully, she rose from the rocker, shifted the sleeping baby to one arm,
