Lady Dearing's Masquerade Read Online Free PDF Page A

generous jointure—meant unprecedented freedom for a widow.
    “I am content with the friends I have,” she replied.
    “Yes, I know, Viscount Debenham and his wife. I cannot imagine how they can bear to visit with you, when you live as you do. Are you not aware of how your behavior reflects on me and Sophronia? On little Walter?”
    “I do not know why it should.”
    “How can it not? Are you unaware of what is said about you?”
    “My dear nephew, I am afraid common report has slightly exaggerated the number of my amours .”
    Adolphus reddened like a girl. The self-conscious prig!
    “But I am content,” she continued. “I have my music, my garden and the children to keep me very well entertained.”
    “Yes, the children . . .”
    One of his eyelids began to twitch; a sure indication that she’d reached the crux of his problem.
    “What about the children?” she asked with deceptive calm.
    “Well, there’s a new rumor.”
    “Yes?”
    “It’s being said that the little one—er—”
    “Robbie. His name is Robbie. They all have names, you know,” she said, picturing four dear faces in her mind. Philippa, Ben, Mary and Robbie. Her children, and Adolphus was worse than an idiot to think he could part her from them.
    “It’s being said that he must be yours. Of course I realize the complete impossibility of such a thing!” he said with false sympathy dripping from his tone.
    Livvy bit her lip. What a cruel, small-minded thing he was to remind her of her failure to produce an heir for Walter.
    “But think how sad if a son of mine had cut you and little Walter out of the title and estate,” she murmured.
    Adolphus reddened again, but his small eyes flashed. “I bore too much affection for my uncle to feel anything but regret that he never had the joy of fathering a son,” he replied loftily. “It grieves me that you have so little respect for his memory, living as you do, taking in those little bast—”
    He broke off as Livvy leapt from her chair.
    “Do not call the children that again,” she said, staring down at him contemptuously.
    He cringed, plucking at his diamond pin. “B-but that’s what they are, after all.”
    “They are innocent children,” she replied, resuming her seat. “Foundlings. Yes, some or all of them may be illegitimate, but I for one cannot hold their parents’ transgressions against them.”
    “Such charitable sentiments may be admirable, but I don’t know why you cannot content yourself with making a modest donation to the Foundling Hospital,” he said peevishly. “Why must you take such children into your care? Whatever you say, they are not the innocents you make them out to be. I am sure the staff at the Hospital were more than happy to see them go!”
    “They knew these children required more attentive care than they could provide.”
    “What of the damage they may cause the house and grounds? Have you thought of that? Your father could not possibly have intended this when he settled Rosemead on you.”
    “Papa only wished to make provision for me and any children I might have. You must content yourself with the knowledge that when I am gone, Rosemead will go to you and your heirs.”
    If only her marriage settlements did not preclude her from bequeathing the property to the Foundling Hospital! It was the one thing she would change if she could. Papa had never dreamed she would not have children of her own to provide for. Having no other family, Papa had set up the default clause leaving the estate to Walter and his heirs, but he had not truly expected it would be invoked.
    Only her remarriage could prevent it, but that was out of the question.
    She rose from her chair and once more smiled sweetly at Adolphus, who was obliged out of politeness to rise as well.
    “In the meantime,” she said, “I am mistress at Rosemead. You will have to trust that I shall keep it in good repair for you. Now I have a number of matters to attend to. I am sure you will