Miss Merton's Last Hope (Miss Mayhem 4)

She just couldn’t figure out when it had happened.

Not that she could or should do anything about her feelings. He wanted children and she still did not. She couldn’t deny him what he wanted most, so that meant going ahead with her original plan on Friday without telling him what she was doing.

She dragged her feet to the doorway and then squared her shoulders. Time to pretend she was happy about leaving in the face of Julia’s mournful expression.

Dearest Julia just didn’t understand how painful living here would be after Walter had given up on her. Even the idea of him with other women in her imagination was painful.

She made her way downstairs and stopped short in the parlor doorway. Julia hadn’t shared her plans for the day so she was surprised to find the room was full. Her stomach flipped. “Lady Watson, Mrs. Hawke. What an unexpected pleasure.”

Many months large with child, Abigail Hawke waddled across the room to kiss her cheek in greeting. Her rounded stomach bumped her. “It’s good to see you again.”

The small dog she owned bounced around them, paws raised as if eager to say hello too. Melanie bent to pat its head, knowing the animal would continue pleading for attention if ignored. “I had not heard of your arrival.”

Abigail squeezed her hand. “We arrived from London very late last night. Hawke surprised me with this trip so I had no time to send a letter ahead to announce we were coming. He has some great secret he will not share no matter how much I plead with him.”

“A matter concerning your husband’s bank?”

Abigail frowned. “No, I do not think that is his business that brings us. Mr. Knight and the new partner, Lord Beecroft, are involved though. They would not answer my questions either so it remains a surprise. I am terribly intrigued.”

Melanie nodded but dismissed the matter. She glanced at Julia. “You said you needed me?”

“Not me,” Julia said quickly.

Abigail twisted to look at Imogen. “It is not us who drags you to the parlor, but Lady Watson.”

“Oh.” Melanie glanced between the ladies. Julia practically bounced in her seat, Abigail beamed and Imogen sat impassively, regarding her curiously but without the faintest trace of warmth in her expression. “What is it I need to hear?”

Silence lengthened and Imogen’s brow rose.

“Am I supposed to guess?”

“I suppose not.” Her lips pressed together tightly a moment. “Julia insisted I tell you myself. I am with child.”

Melanie froze but then tears filled her eyes at the hard way Imogen delivered her news. The thin edge of hostility reminded her that no matter what she might feel for Walter, his sister could never forgive her for the hurt she’d caused.

She smiled awkwardly, unsure how to convey her happiness. She had only ever wanted Imogen to be happy. Imogen had always wanted a little girl to bounce on her knee. She felt so very low. “Congratulations. I trust you are well.”

“I am.” Imogen?

??s chin rose defiantly.

“I see.” She took a deep breath as she inspected Imogen. There was no outward sign of her condition so she couldn’t begin to guess when the babe would come. She would also most likely never see Imogen’s child, and that made her terribly sad. It was really too late to make a difference, but this might be her only chance of mending any fences with the woman. “Would you excuse me a moment?”

She didn’t wait for an answer, but rushed from the room and up the staircase. She raced to her bedchamber and grasped the handle of the first trunk stored under her bed. It was heavier than she remembered it being and she could only drag it from her room by one handle. At the top of the stairs she paused, listening to Julia plead with Imogen to stay a while longer. She eyed the stairs anxiously, but there was no help for the noise she would make and she had to hurry before Imogen left.

With a deafening clatter, she pulled the trunk down each tread. At the halfway point, she blew her hair from her eyes.

Valentine rushed up to her. “Melanie, what the devil are you doing with that trunk? You don’t leave until tomorrow.”

“I have to give this to Imogen. Would you help me carry it the rest of the way? She’s in the parlor at this moment and about to leave.”

Valentine grunted a little as he hefted the full trunk. He manhandled it the remaining distance to the parlor and departed, giving her a concerned glance. She had not time to explain to him what she was about to do.

Abigail caught her eye and suppressed a smile. She had already received her trunk a few months ago and had clearly guessed what this one also contained.

Imogen crossed her arms over her chest and scowled at it.

“Open it,” Melanie urged when she did not move.