The Viscount's Veiled Lady (Whitby Weddings 3)

‘Maybe

I shouldn’t go in after all.’ He looked uncertain suddenly, running a hand through his hair as he half-turned back towards the stairs. ‘Or maybe just a drink first...’

‘Don’t you dare.’ Arthur gripped his shoulders, swinging him back round again.

‘But I can’t...’

‘Yes, you can! Lance, Violet needs you, more than she’s ever needed you, and if you go anywhere near a bottle tonight then I swear I’ll throw you out of this house myself. Imagine what she’ll think if you go in there smelling of brandy.’ He pushed his face closer. ‘Don’t make me beat some sense into you, little Brother. Now get in there and be strong for your wife.’

Frances felt as though the temperature in the corridor had just plummeted, the atmosphere turning icy as the two brothers fronted up to each other. She’d never heard Arthur speak in such a peremptory fashion, nor sound so commanding before. Anyone listening would have thought that he was the army captain. She waited as the mood seemed to become more and more tense, afraid that they were about to come to blows, but then Lance pulled his shoulders back, clenched his jaw and marched straight ahead into the bedchamber, his face set with a look of stolid determination.

‘Well, if you don’t need me any more...’ The housekeeper gave her a beseeching look.

‘No, you’ve done plenty, Mrs Gargrave.’ Frances recognised the plea. ‘I think the doctor can handle things now. I’ll stay, too.’

‘She looks relieved.’ Arthur arched an eyebrow as the housekeeper practically ran down the staircase.

‘It hasn’t been easy.’ Frances threw a worried look at the doorway. ‘I think Mrs Gargrave is the one who needs a drink.’

‘Then she’s welcome to raid the drinks cabinet.’ He took her hand and pressed it. ‘How about you?’

‘I’m all right.’

‘I’ll be here in case you need anything.’

Frances looked into his face, touched by the gentleness of his expression, and then rushed forward, throwing her arms around his midriff and burying her face in his neck. At that moment, all she needed was his warmth and reassuring presence. He held her close, pressing his lips into her hair as she let out a sigh. How could she ever have thought he was a brute?

‘This is all I need.’ She squeezed her arms tight. ‘Just this.’

Chapter Twenty-One

Arthur felt as though he’d been pacing for hours, which in all fairness, he probably had. It must have been at least three since he and Lance had arrived and Violet had been in labour for at least another hour before that. He’d paced up and down while several maids had come and gone, carrying fresh supplies, though Frances and Lance had remained closeted inside. The world outside the windows had fallen silent and dark, in contrast to the lights burning and the cries emanating from inside. Time itself seemed to have lost all meaning. If only there were something he could do...

He stopped abruptly, jerking his head up at the sound of a baby’s cry, followed by a muffled exclamation.

‘Frances?’ He called her name out instinctively, breathing a sigh of relief when the door opened and her face appeared. Her bun had come half-unravelled so that tendrils of dark hair tumbled loose over her shoulders and cascaded halfway down her back. He’d never seen her hair down before and she looked beautiful. As well as half-dead on her feet.

‘Is it over?’ He stepped forward as she came out into the corridor and closed the door softly behind her.

‘The first one, yes.’ She gave a tight smile. ‘Twins.’

‘Twins?’ He drew in a long breath and then released it again in a rush. Of course it was twins. They ought to have known by Violet’s size. Ironic that he and Lance, of all people, shouldn’t have guessed.

‘This one’s a girl.’

He nodded. ‘How’s Lance?’

‘Better. I think what you said did the trick, only...’

She lifted a hand as if to brush whatever she was worried about aside and he caught it, raising the knuckles to his lips.

‘Only what?’

‘Only don’t go far.’ She didn’t look him in the eye this time, staring at a point just below his chin instead. ‘Just in case...’

Just in case... He felt his throat constrict at the intimation. ‘Is it so bad?’

‘Violet’s exhausted, but the doctor says the second baby is usually easier, so...’