His mouth was a grim line, and the heavy crease between his brows looked as deep as a valley. “Lord Lacey has ruined Miss Monteith. He told me he wouldn’t, but he did it anyway. I trusted him, Estelle. After all these years, I thought I knew him. I never thought he’d do something so unpardonable again, not after what happened the last time.”
Estelle hardly heard him in her mounting excitement. Wicked Nic and Olivia were lovers; he’d have to marry her now.
“You’re glad, aren’t you?” Abbot accused her, correctly reading her expression. “You think it’s a good thing.”
“I…yes, I suppose I do. But what did you mean, ‘after what happened’? I don’t understand.”
Abbot shook his head, turning stubbornly away.
She reached up to cup his cold face in her warm hands, forcing him to look at her. “I’m sorry if I’m not as upset as you. I’m glad because I love you and I want to marry you and live beside you. Is that so terrible?”
He shook his head, the grim line softening. “No, it isn’t so terrible.”
“Then tell me what you meant. What has Lord Lacey done that makes his compromising Olivia so much worse?”
He bent over her, urgency in his voice. “You must swear to me to tell no one else. Swear to me, Estelle.”
“Yes, yes, I swear.”
He took a breath, and she could see what a struggle it was for him, the loyal manservant, to break a confidence. “Before Nic’s father died there was a woman, a—a respectable young woman. Her parents were well-to-do, but that didn’t stop Nic. He seduced h
er…ruined her. Her parents hid her away, but one day she returned to Castle Lacey. She was carrying a child—a mere babe in arms.”
“Oh dear,” Estelle murmured, her spirits falling.
“Lady Lacey was out calling on friends, so the girl was taken to the library, to speak with the late Lord Lacey, Nic’s father. Nic arrived, and soon afterward the girl and the baby were taken away in the coach, to London. Nic and his father remained in the library—they had a dreadful argument. It could be heard all over the castle. His father kept shouting: ‘Swear to me. You must swear to me.’ It went on for a long time, and then Nic slammed out of the library and went to saddle his horse. He rode off across the park. When he came back, he seemed calmer, though he still looked dreadful. He went back to the library, but when he opened the door he found his father lying on the floor. He’d taken a turn and was close to death. In fact, he died moments later.”
“The shock killed him,” Estelle breathed.
“When Lady Lacey returned and discovered what had happened…well, I don’t think she has ever recovered from the shock of it. She blamed Nic entirely for what happened, which is why she’s never spoken to him since.”
“What happened to the woman and the child?” Estelle said, after a moment’s respectful silence.
“They live in London, and Nic visits them whenever he is there. He pays for their home and all their expenses.”
Estelle chose her words carefully. “This isn’t unique, Abbot. There are a great many gentlemen with bastards, and not all of them treated as well as this one. I’d be more shocked if Nic had abandoned the child into squalor.”
“I heard him swear to his father it would never happen again,” Abbot said stubbornly. “After his father’s death he was so consumed with guilt and grief, he got drunk and climbed the old wall. He fell and broke his leg, badly. When his mother regained her senses, she came to his bedside, and she made him promise he would never prey upon a respectable young woman again. It was the last thing she said to him for nine years.”
“You heard him swear?” Estelle said after a moment.
Abbot nodded. “I was in the room.”
“So he has broken his word.” Estelle shrugged. “I’m sorry, Abbot, but sometimes it is necessary to break your word. A promise is only good as long as it makes sense. Olivia Monteith is set on capturing Nic Lacey, and no promise was going to stop her, especially when he is wild for her, too.”
Suddenly Abbot looked exhausted. “Is that what you really think?” he said. “That promises are worthless?”
Estelle wrapped her arms about him and held him, cradling him against her. “I didn’t say that, not exactly. Besides, what are the Laceys to you? This isn’t your fault. Let them sort it out among themselves.”
His voice was muffled against her hair. “What was Miss Monteith doing at the demimonde ball, Estelle?”
Estelle felt a moment of panic, but it was brief and she pushed it firmly aside. She convinced herself that her interfering had not jeopardized anyone’s happiness, or harmed the man she loved.
“Never mind about the ball. You have more important things to think about. You’re going to be a father, Abbot. We’re your family now, and we love you. You need to take care of us.”
“Yes,” he murmured. “Yes, I need to take care of you and the babe.”
Estelle longed to take him upstairs, but she knew she didn’t dare. The Monteiths were very strict about such matters, and if she was caught she would be instantly dismissed. It made her angry that she couldn’t lie down with the man she loved when he so desperately needed her. They must marry, and soon.