“Thank you very much. We appreciate the work you did for our family. I insist that you send your bill to me.” Max walked Nizal to the front door.
While he waited for Max to return, Harlow poured himself a glass of brandy and considered her, a smile on his face.
“You have this glow about you, Lady Worsley.” He grinned.
Oh goodness! He knows too. She struggled for a reply. “It is the weather. I enjoy the new birth of spring each year.”
Harlow held his smug expression. “Yes. The new birth.” He sipped, giving a look of nonchalance.
The two men acted more like brothers than friends. She was growing accustomed to Harlow’s teasing and refused to spill the beans to him. She would not spoil this news for Max, who returned not a moment too soon.
“We have news too, my dear.” He moved to his wife and kissed her on the cheek. “Your cousin, Slade—I am sorry, Nash—has accepted Harlow’s offer.” Max nodded to his friend. “And ours. He will live on your family’s estate and run it as its man of business under the tutelage of Harlow’s man, Dean. I expect Nash to be a fast learner. He has already exhibited a great eye for horseflesh and asked if he could expand the stables there. What do you think?”
“I think yes!” She clapped enthusiastically. “I do not agree with the way the ton treats children born on the wrong side of the blanket. Their burden is not of their making. Slade—Nash…” She sputtered. It would be difficult calling him by his given name, especially since she had lived in fear of him in her prior life—but not through his making, as she had gradually realized. “Nash needs an opportunity to prove himself, and he needs and wants a family. I believe he has earned it. Father tried to support him, and I feel we honor my family in helping him. And Nash is trying to be our friend.” A sense of peace fell over her as she said that aloud.
“There is more.” He grinned and went to his desk, digging out the ring of keys. He held up a small brass key. “Harlow and I went through the house and tried the keys on everything we found, and this one belongs to a small safe your father kept in the floor of his library.”
Maggie was astonished. “I never knew he had one.”
“He did. I wondered where he kept his other important papers and the family jewelry. I thought either it had all disappeared with Silas, or that your father had a place that was very sacred. It was under his desk.” He reached into his waistcoat and brought out a string of pearls and small diamonds. “Your mother’s.”
“Those were my mother’s favorite. They were a gift from Father when he found he would be a father for the first time.” Excitement stirred in her stomach as she comprehended the uncanny timing.
“They suit you.” Max smiled.
Maggie held up her hair, and he gingerly placed the string around her neck.
“It looks lovely. I am sure your mother would want you to have it. I secured the rest in my safe. We can look through it together whenever you would like. Silas may have taken what he found in the open, but your parents kept what looks like most of the jewelry and estate information under lock and key. Remember the birth certificate we found? I had it authenticated. Of course, it was Nash’s. I hope you do not mind, but we returned it to the hidden wall safe for Nash’s use. However, it is without your father’s lockbox. Nash never knew his actual birthday. He was quite pleased to know it.”
“That was thoughtful of you. My father left a bounty of surprises, it seems. I remember Mother wearing these often. She told me it would be mine one day.” Her voice cracked with emotion as she touched the delicate necklace.
“We believe the third key unlocks a lockbox and will check with your father’s man of business. It looks much like a key I have for that purpose.”
“This is a lot to take in at once, but it is good news. I am happy for Nash.” She looked at both men in front of her, gauging her timing. Should she wait? “I will share some news of my own,” she decided, suddenly challenged by the smirk Harlow cast at her when Max could not see. “Since Harlow is like family…”
“Wait. Let me take my leave. This sounds like it should be private. I feel a sense of déjà vu and do not want to intrude on what should be private.” Harlow moved to her side and kissed the back of her hand before leaving. “Congratulations, I think,” he whispered for her alone and left.
Cheeky devil! She took a calming breath and steadied herself. If Harlow knows, Max knows. Warmth flushed through her. Max was staring at her, grinning like the cat that just swallowed the canary. The man might keep silent, but he could never control his delight. She cleared her throat. “Do you think the name Nathan fits with Worsley?” she ventured nonchalantly.
“Are you saying you are with child?” Max’s voice choked with emotion.
She swatted him. “You know I am. You cannot fool me with that innocent look. I am.” Tears suddenly flooded her eyes. “You will be a father in six months.”
There! That took his breath away. At least there was some surprise, she thought smugly.
“I will be a father!” He swept her off her feet and swung her around. “I love you, Meg Worsley, my sweet, beautiful wife. And I do like the name Nathan. Darling, we will name the child anything you would like. I just want both mother and child to have a safe delivery.”
“You knew. Be honest.”
“I suspected,” he clarified. “I have memorized every loving detail
