Deerhurst pulled her closer. “There is something I still haven’t told you.”
She nodded. “About Abigail’s mother.”
“How did you know?”
She pinched his skin. “Of course, I know. What else is there to tell me? In any event, it doesn’t matter to me.”
“It matters to me...” he said slowly. “Because once we marry, if the truth ever comes to light, you will be affected as well.”
She lifted onto her elbows, eyes searching his. “How?”
Deerhurst sighed. He had to get it out. “I told you I courted a woman before.”
“Yes, she married someone else.”
“Even though she married someone else, she came back to me. She might have cared for me, I don’t know. Perhaps she just didn’t want me to marry someone else, too. But an affair began.”
“And Abigail is the result of that affair.”
He nodded. “She went into hiding from her husband during that time, and once she gave birth, she sent the baby away. The maid in charge of this came to me and let me know she left my daughter at an orphanage.”
“That’s horrible. Where is this witch now?”
“Exiled to Wales by her husband. It seems I was not the only affair after I ended our relationship.” He dragged a hand through his hair. “Her husband is the Duke of Ruthbridge.”
Her eyes widened. “Ruthbridge? Isn’t he...”
Deerhurst nodded. “Ruthless. Prone to violence. Powerful friends.”
“If he ever learns of Abigail, that she is the product of you and his wife...”
“There is no telling what he might do.”
A short silence followed, and Deerhurst held his breath. This had been the deepest secret he had carried for seven years. Phaedra had accepted Abigail, so logically, there was no reason for her not to accept the past behind his daughter. Behind him. But still, he couldn’t help the small bit of hesitation to linger. Would she condemn him? Loathe him? Suspect him of more beastly acts?
“Well then,” she began. “We shall just have to make sure that the duke never learns the truth.”
Deerhurst blinked.
“What?” she teased. “You thought I would judge you for your past?”
“You don’t think I’m a beast?” he asked.
“A beast?” She grinned. “A scoundrel, maybe, but not a beast. Not even a full scoundrel. Perhaps half of one.”
“Phaedra...” He loved this woman beyond measure.
“We all make mistakes, Marcus. I’ve realized a lot of things this past week, but the most important thing I’ve realized is that it’s less about the mistake, and more about how we move on from it.”
He buried his head in her shoulder. “Christ, I love you.”
“I love you too,” she said softly. “And I’m glad for this wicked woman, for Abigail. Else you would probably be married to another right now. Everything happens for a reason, don’t you agree? I am exceedingly grateful not to have missed out on you.”
Deerhurst nodded. Everything did happen for a reason. How comforting to know. “The reason is you,” Deerhurst said.
She laughed. “The reason isus.” She combed back his hair with her fingers. “You must send for Abigail at once. We aren’t complete as a family without her.”
Deerhurst nodded, and his heart swelled. “I shall send for her at daybreak.”
