Vexing the Viscount by Christie Kelley Read Free Book Online Page B

“You mustn’t tell a soul.”
    Tia nodded. “Is there some specific reason you are not ready to tell your husband about his impending fatherhood?”
    â€œNo,” she answered quickly.
    â€œSurely, he will be pleased with the idea of you carrying his heir?” Tia said.
    The countess stared at her long fingers splayed against the coverlet. Tears fell like rain from her eyes. “I cannot be certain it is his child,” she whispered so quietly Tia barely heard her.
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œI was with another man not long before my marriage. My family did not consider him husband material. Once Eldridge expressed an interest in me, my mother paraded me before him at every opportunity until he proposed only a fortnight later. We were married a week later by special license. I didn’t wish to marry him and when the other man returned a few days before the wedding. . . .”
    â€œWhen did you discover your condition?” Tia asked as she felt Emily’s belly.
    â€œIn all the upheaval of the marriage, it wasn’t until a week ago that I realized I had missed two monthlies.”
    â€œI’m surprised you haven’t been nauseated until now.”
    â€œEvery now and then but today was the worst.” Emily smiled up at her. “Which is why I am so glad I discovered you at the park.”
    â€œGood fortune indeed.” Tia took a seat near the bed as Mallory returned with the tea tray.
    â€œMy lady, are you unwell?”
    â€œJust tired. That is why we are having tea upstairs.” As Mallory placed the tea on the bedside table, Emily asked, “Did you find the peppermint for tea?”
    â€œYes, my lady. I brought both the peppermint and the black.”
    â€œThank you, Mallory. I shall ring if I need anything more.”
    Mallory nodded and then departed.
    Emily looked over at Tia. “Would you mind pouring today?”
    â€œOf course not.” Tia prepared the peppermint tea and then handed it to Emily. “This should calm your stomach.” Then she made some black tea for herself. Sitting back against the chair, an odd sense of discomfort overcame her. She needed to drink her tea and return to Middleton’s before the dressmaker arrived at noon. It was already eleven, so she must make her excuse rather quickly.
    â€œWhere did you learn so much about pregnancy?”
    Tia explained how her mother had taught her and her sister from the time they were old enough to follow her around the estate. They would watch her heal people and treat them for sicknesses with herbs.
    â€œIt seems so odd to me that your mother would allow you to see people’s bare limbs, especially a man’s,” Emily commented and then sipped her tea.
    â€œPerhaps, but seeing it at a young age takes the fascination out of it. Once you’ve seen one bare leg, the others are all the same.” If only the same could be said of a man’s chest. She had never seen a chest like Middleton’s, finely muscled down to his belly. And that line of black hair that crossed his chest, down his belly, and disappeared beneath his trousers had fascinated her.
    â€œI suppose that would be true.”
    Tia placed her teacup down and rose. “I must return to Middleton’s home before he becomes concerned.” Or irate. But still, she hoped his arm was all right. She needed to check his bandage for signs of infection.
    â€œAre you certain?” Emily asked softly. “I would love to have you stay with me. My darling husband is usually too busy with his mistress to escort me to many of the parties. With you along with me, we could both go. I could introduce you to all the handsome young men and then perhaps you wouldn’t need to return to the Midlands ever again.”
    Tia bit down on her lip in thought. If she stayed with Emily, Middleton wouldn’t be able to force her to return. But she couldn’t take charity from a woman she’d