To Capture a Duke's Heart (29 page)

“Rest assured, Your Grace,” the mild-mannered country doctor stated, “for while this can be an anxious time for a woman, especially for a first-time mother like yourself, I can assure you that both you and your baby appear to be in the very best of health.” 

“Thank you Dr. Goddard.  That is certainly comforting to hear.”

“And, if you are careful to maintain a healthy diet and avoid all strenuous activity in the coming months, I see no reason for that to change.”

Penny nodded.

“Well then,” he said, gathering up the last of his things, “if you have no further questions, Your Grace, I shall take my leave, with the expectation that I shall see you for a follow up visit next month.”

“Yes, of course, and thank you again, Dr. Goddard,” Penny stated, as Meg rose hurriedly from her chair to show the physician out.

“Congratulations, Your Grace,” Meg exclaimed as she returned to the room just as few moments later, a wide, enthusiastic smile spread across her face.

“Thank you, Meg, “Penny replied, careful to maintain a pleased expression, despite her inner turmoil.

“And what wonderful news you shall have for His Grace upon his return,” Meg continued excitedly.  “Oh and just think, now you may have as many desserts as you like without feeling the least bit guilty,” she proclaimed.

Penny couldn’t help but smile.  “Yes, I suppose that’s true, isn’t it.”

“Shall I have Mrs. Hobbs instruct the kitchen to prepare something special for you for dessert this evening?”

“No, that won’t be necessary.  I’m sure that whatever Cook prepares will be more than sufficient to satisfy my dessert cravings,” Penny assured her.

“Is there anything I can do for you in the meantime then?  Shall I ring for a cup of tea or chocolate, perhaps?”

“No, Meg.  I’m fine, thank you.  In fact, I think that I might actually lie down for a bit.  So mayhap you could just inform Hastings that I shall be resting for the next little while and don’t wish to be disturbed.”

“Yes, of course, Your Grace.”

“You know, Meg, it’s such a lovely day out, perhaps you should spend some time outdoors this afternoon,” Penny suggested, eager to be alone with her thoughts.

“It is a rather nice day,” Meg agreed, glancing toward the window. 

“Indeed it is; so off you go then.  Enjoy the sunshine whilst you can, for we’ll likely be getting another bout of rain soon enough.”

It wasn’t until she was finally alone in the quiet of her bedchamber, that Penny was able to turn her full attention to the unquestionably shocking and equally confounding results of the physician’s examination.  If Dr. Goddard was correct, and she feared that he was, the child she was carrying had been conceived upon that fateful night in Scotland.  Although how such a thing could have possibly occurred was entirely beyond her grasp. 

In fact, it wasn’t until she’d been wracking her brain for more than a quarter of an hour, and after she’d gone over each and every scenario she could possibly think to imagine, that she went back to the one thing that seemed to make even the least bit of sense in light of her present condition.  Albeit, it was a notion so completely inconceivable and entirely nonsensical that she’d scarce allowed herself to give it more than the briefest of consideration when it had first crossed her mind.  But now, now she couldn’t help but wonder if perhaps the idea wasn’t so implausible after all. Was it possible that she had been drugged? 

And if such a thing
was
in fact possible, then it only stood to reason that she might not be the only one who lacked any memory of that night; and that maybe, just maybe, Gabriel hadn’t been
asleep
the entire night as he believed.  So was it conceivable then, that
both
of them had been drugged?  And while it seemed ludicrous to even contemplate such a thing, how else could she account for the child growing inside of her, a child who could have only been conceived on that one, solitary night. 

Of course, even if such a thing
were
possible, two very important questions remained, who would have done such a thing and for what possible purpose?  Pacing back and forth across the length of her chamber the questions repeated themselves over and over within her head. 
Who?  Why?
 
Who?  Why?
  

Briefly she considered Maryanne’s possible involvement, for as far as she knew her stepmother was the only person who’d harbored feelings of ill will toward her at the time.  But then, just as quickly, she discarded the notion, as her selfish, narcissistic stepmother obviously resented the fact that she was now a duchess, and that
she
of all people, had been the one who’d succeeded in compelling England’s most sought after bachelor to the altar, despite the appalling manner in which it had transpired.  As such, Maryanne was surely the last person on earth who would have done anything to help facilitate such an occurrence. So who then, and why?  It simply made no sense.

Could it have been an accident, she wondered?  Had she somehow been drugged by mistake, perchance, or both of them even?  Then again, mayhap they
had
been drugged on purpose, but
she
had never been meant to leave her bed; and much like she’d considered before, had simply awoken during the night, wandered disoriented out into the hall and then thinking to reenter her own chamber had mistakenly entered into Gabriel’s room across the hall.  But no, that too seemed entirely implausible, she thought with a frustrated sigh. But then again, there was nothing about that night seemed even the slightest bit possible to believe. 

For the next hour, one question after another sparked within Penny’s thoughts until her head was all but throbbing.  Unfortunately however, she hadn’t come up with any answers to her questions, only speculation; and even that was of remarkably little help.  But alas, the one unknown that worried her far more than any of the others was what Gabriel’s reaction would be when she told him that she was carrying his child, and especially that their baby was to be born in less than four months’ time. 

Though in actuality, the contemplation of Gabriel’s reaction wasn’t just worrisome, it was completely and utterly terrifying; for however could she expect him to believe anything that she might say when she could scarce believe it herself?

It was well past sundown when Gabriel arrived at Ainsworth Park, but with nearly a month and a half having passed since he’d left for Vienna, he had chosen to make only a brief stop in London before continuing on to the country; the decision prompted by his unarguable desire to be reunited with Penny.  For during his time away he’d found himself missing her far more than he could have ever imagined.  Yet somewhat surprisingly, or perhaps
not
so surprisingly if he were being completely honest with himself, it had been more than the memories of those long, exceedingly pleasurable hours they’d spent in bed that had elicited such feelings, for in his absence he had come to realize just how much he’d grown to enjoy the time they spent together both in
and
out of bed. He’d missed their light-hearted conversations, as well as their more serious-minded discussions on all manner of topics.  He’d missed their companionable morning rides that more often than not turned from leisurely to spirited and sporting, and the hours that he’d spent teaching her how to play chess whilst she’d attempted to improve upon his middling grasp of the German language.  But more than that even, he’d missed their progressively more affectionate rapport and the ever-increasing feelings of contentment he experienced in her presence.  Truth be told, what he’d missed most… was
her
. 

And so, entering into the house, Gabriel stopped in the front hall just long enough to speak briefly with Hastings and to inquire as to his wife’s whereabouts, before he was striding purposefully toward the stairs.  Then, reaching her bedchamber a short time later, he felt an odd little rush of anticipation as he knocked lightly upon the door, his heart seeming to beat just a tiny bit faster within his chest as he waited for Penelope to answer his knock. 

It wasn’t his wife who opened the door, however, but her lady’s maid, Meg. “Your Grace, welcome home,” she exclaimed as she executed a hasty curtsey.

“Thank you,” he acknowledged, offering a polite nod to the wide-eyed maid as she rose to her feet.  “I was on my way to my chamber and thought that I would stop to see if Her Grace had retired for the evening?”

“No, Your Grace, she hasn’t,” Meg stated with a slight shake of her head.  “In fact, Her Grace is presently in the bath.”

“Ah.” 

“Shall I inform her that you’re home?”

“Actually, I think I would prefer to tell her myself,” he stated in a pleasant tone. 

For a second or two the young maid eyed him uncertainly as he stood unmoving at the door, but when understanding dawned just a moment later she replied falteringly, “Oh.  Yes, Your Grace.  Yes of course.”  Then, as Gabriel stepped aside, she took hold of her skirts and hastened from the room.

When she was gone, Gabriel pushed the door closed and stepped farther into the room, his eyes going to the partially opened door that led into the dressing room, as during the most recent renovations he’d had the original dressing room that sat between the two master suites expanded to include a bathing area that utilized the latest advances in indoor plumbing, much like the changes he’d made to the London house the year before.  And so, with a decadent smile playing upon his lips, he walked silently across the room, stopping for a moment to set the small, paper-wrapped package he held onto the corner of Penelope’s writing desk, before moving to stand unnoticed, just outside the dressing room door.

For several long moments he stood transfixed, his eyes following the narrow rivulets of water running down the length of Penny’s naked back as she rinsed the last traces of soap from her skin.  Then, as she rose from the bath water just a few seconds later, reaching as she did for the thick piece of toweling hanging upon the adjacent rack, he drew in a slow, ragged breath as his gaze travelled appreciatively from the glorious mass of hair pinned atop her head, over her rounded shoulders and down along her back to where it lingered upon the enticing curves of her derriere until she wrapped the towel around herself, obstructing his view.

Watching her then as she stepped from the cast iron tub, he felt that same, intense rush of desire he experienced nearly every time he cast his eyes upon her.  But when she turned to the side, laying the towel across the rim of the tub before reaching for the silk dressing gown that had been laid out upon the narrow bench at the foot of the bath, he caught sight of her stomach and his desire gave way to a different emotion entirely.  That particular emotion lasted only an instant, however, for as he continued to stare at the unmistakable swell of her abdomen, his eyes slowly narrowed in a combination of shock and disbelief. 

He stared incredulously, his mind reeling as he watched her don the robe, knotting the narrow sash around her protruding midsection. 
Bloody hell!
It all made sense now he realized as the pieces fell slowly into place within his head.  The lies, the treachery, the deceit, it had all been part of a vile, calculated effort to protect herself and the bastard child growing within her belly.  She’d needed a dupe, someone she could use to safeguard her reputation and provide legitimacy for her unborn child; and clearly she’d chosen
him,
of all people, to be her unwitting victim.  Good lord, it was almost too outrageous to be believed. 

Perhaps even worse, however, was the sudden, stomach-turning realization that he had allowed himself to be played the fool not only once, but now twice.

Securing the dressing gown at her waist, Penny turned to the partially-open door, her eyes widening in surprise and delight as she caught sight of Gabriel standing on the other side.  “Gabriel, you’re home.”

“Clearly,” he replied. 

Penny felt her stomach drop at the clipped, one word response; but it was the combination of loathing and undisguised contempt evident upon his face that seemed to all but stop her heart.  Quickly she moved to the door and pulled it open, stepping across the threshold.  “Gabriel, please, let me explain.” 

“Oh, by all means,” he replied in a cold, mocking tone, crossing his arms over his chest.  “I await your explanation with bated breath.”

Penny cringed, for while she had tried to prepare herself for the inevitability of Gabriel’s reaction, both the accusation and condemnation reflected in his hostile gaze were nearly impossible to bear.  “I know what you must be thinking,” she said, struggling to maintain her composure as she met his furious stare.

“Yes, I’m sure that you do.”

“Gabriel, this child is yours, I swear it.”

“I can assure you, Madame, that I am not blind,” he asserted.  “Nor have I forgotten that our marriage was consummated a mere ten weeks ago.”

“But this baby,
your baby
, wasn’t conceived ten weeks ago,” Penny hastened to explain.  “Our child was conceived five-and-a-half months ago, in Scotland.”

Gabriel blinked, his expression incredulous, for clearly that wasn’t the explanation he’d expected to hear.  “Have you lost your mind?” he scoffed.  “Or are you perhaps harboring the mistaken belief that
I
have suddenly lost
mine
?” he demanded indignantly.

“No,” Penny shook her head emphatically, “of course not.”

“
Of course not?
  And yet there you stand, trying to persuade me that the child you’re carrying, a child who will undoubtedly be born in a matter of a few short months, is mine?”

“Yes. That is exactly what I am doing,” she stated, her tone earnest. “For as implausible as it might seem, I am convinced that we must have been drugged that night in Scotland,
both of us
.  And yet, somehow we… we must have…”

“You cannot
possibly
be serious?”

“I know that it is difficult to believe,” she said, “for in truth I can scarce believe it myself.  But it is the only thing that makes sense.”

“
That
makes sense?” he refuted, regarding her as if she’d suddenly sprouted a second head. “That we were both drugged and yet somehow managed to conceive a child?”

“Gabriel-”

“God’s teeth woman,” he interrupted angrily, “is there no end to the loathsome tales you are willing to spin?”

“No.  It’s not a tale,” Penny insisted.  “I wasn’t lying to you in Scotland and I am not lying to you now.  Please, Gabriel, you have to believe me.” 

“I confess to being disappointed, Madame, as I would have thought that you could have come up with something at least somewhat conceivable,” he stated disparagingly, shaking his head in disgust. 

Heaven help her, Penny thought, for this was even harder than she’d imagined it would be.  Nevertheless, she knew that she couldn’t give up.  Somehow she
had
to convince him that she was telling the truth.  “I know that this all sounds completely nonsensical, for I don’t know who or why someone would have done such an unspeakable thing to either you or to me; but I promise you that I am being entirely truthful.  Please, Gabriel, if you will only just consider what I’m telling you,” she implored.

Gabriel snorted contemptuously.  “You may have played me for a fool before, Madame, but if you think that I will give this absurdity you’re spouting even a moment’s consideration, you are sadly mistaken.  For not only is it beyond the realm of possibility to think that I would be unable to recall having bedded you, drugged or not,” he scoffed indignantly, “but if I
had
been drugged, I surely could not have accomplished the deed even if I had wished to.”

“But you cannot know that for certain,” Penny professed.  “Not when you, not when
we
,” she amended, “know nothing about whatever it was that we may have been given.” 

“Enough!” he snapped. 

Penny ignored the command, continuing hastily, “Our child
was
conceived upon that very night.  I was examined by the local physician just this past week in fact, and he confirmed the timing.”

“Well that’s hardly cause for surprise, as we both know just how convincing you can be when you wish to,” Gabriel stated caustically.  “And of course when the child arrives well before its anticipated due date, I have no doubt that the good doctor will be similarly convinced to declare the child
conveniently
premature,” he continued with a contemptuous sneer.

“Gabriel-”

“No, damn you!  I will not stand here and listen to any more of your lies.”

Though Penny choked back a sob, she couldn’t contain the moisture welling in the corners of her eyes as she regarded him entreatingly.  “I would never lie to you,” she uttered softly, as the tears began to roll slowly down her cheeks.  “Gabriel, please,” she continued, raising her hand to him in supplication, “I love you.”

“Don’t!” he ordered furiously, his expression hardening as his arms dropped, his hands curling into tightly-clenched fists at his sides.

Seeing the contempt reflected in the depths of Gabriel’s beautiful green eyes, Penny felt as if her heart was being sliced to ribbons within her chest.  “Is it truly so difficult… for you to believe… that I might actually… be telling the truth?” she choked brokenly, her expression beseeching.

He didn’t answer her question, and for several long seconds they simply stared at one another in the taut, heavy silence.  Then, with a weary shake of her head, Penny said softly, “You really don’t know me at all, do you?”

Gabriel visibly stiffened and for a moment it appeared as if he was about to respond, but then abruptly he turned to the door.  When he reached it he stopped, his hand stilling upon the brass knob for several seconds, before he turned back to her with an austere expression.  “You had better pray that child you’re carrying is a girl,” he stated forbiddingly, “for I can assure you, Madame, that there is no way in hell that I will ever allow another man’s bastard to inherit the title and lands that have been in my family for generations.”

Penny regarded him unflinchingly through the sheen of her tears.  “Then you would do naught but deny your own son his birthright,” she said in a remarkably steady voice, “for whether this child is a boy or a girl, it
is
your child.”

Gabriel didn’t respond.  Instead, he turned back to the door, jerked it open and exited into the hallway, pulling the heavy wooden portal closed behind him with an ominous-sounding thud.

It was only then that Penny finally gave way to the agonizing, heartrending pain that seemed to radiate from her chest and move unerringly throughout her entire body; and sinking to her knees upon the carpeted floor, she succumbed to a torrent of violent, wracking sobs that felt as if they would surely go on forever.

Downstairs, Gabriel gave strict instructions to Hastings that he wasn’t to be disturbed, before continuing on to his study and locking himself behind the set of wide, cherry-paneled doors. 
Damn her
, he thought furiously as he strode to the liquor cabinet and grabbed the heavy brandy decanter from within, along with one of the matching crystal tumblers.
God damn her to hell!
Then, setting both the decanter and the glass carelessly onto his desk, he threw himself into the leather chair behind it. And for a time he just sat there in silence, staring wrathfully at the closed doors, wondering how he could have possibly allowed himself to think for even a moment that the past months had been anything other than a continuation of the heinous deception she had embarked upon in Scotland, outraged to know that he had allowed himself to be deceived once again; more so because fool that he was, he’d allowed himself to care, had allowed himself to care about
her
.  For though it galled him to admit it, in that split second when he’d first glimpsed the rounded curve of her stomach and thought that it was his, the notion had filled him with joy.