Bloodleaf (Bloodleaf #1)(54)

My vision was blurring a little, but I tried to ignore it the best I could. “She?”

“Oh, yes,” Kate said, beaming at her belly. “She’s a girl. I can feel it. Don’t tell Nathaniel yet, but I want to name her Ella, after his mother.”

We were approaching the lane to Kate’s cottage now, and not a moment too soon; my strength was flagging. It was a struggle to comprehend what Kate was saying—?I had to concentrate on each word.

At the end of the cottage walk, though, she came to a sudden halt. There was a man standing on her doorstep, fist raised as if to knock.

“Dedrick?”

The man whirled around, jaw dropping open. “Katherine? Is that really you?” Then he flew down the walk to sweep her into an enthusiastic hug.

“What are you doing here?” she asked with a broad smile. “It’s been so long since our last letters, I can’t believe you knew where to find me!”

“I was here for Petitioner’s Day, but since it is so close to the prince’s wedding date, I decided to extend my stay until after the engagement ball. That’s why I’m here, actually. I’ve been inquiring about where to go for the best costume and came up with this address. I never dreamed you were the seamstress they were talking about.” He took a step back. “Look at you. You’re an absolute vision. How long do you have left?”

“Just a couple of weeks now,” Kate said cheerfully.

“I always knew you’d make a lovely mother.” He chuckled. “I imagined slightly different circumstances, of course.” His eyes flicked to me, noticing me for the first time. I was puffing, my vision slowly darkening.

“Oh!” Kate said. “I forgot to introduce you. Dedrick, this is my friend Emilie. Emilie, this is Lord Dedrick Corvalis. My—?”

“Friend,” Dedrick said, bowing politely. “And former fiancé.” He winked, then straightened up. He said, “Katherine, your friend doesn’t look well. Maybe we should—?”

That was when my legs gave out.



* * *



“Lay her here, on this chaise.”

Dedrick did as he was told and gently set me down, while Kate fluttered around me nervously, feeling the temperature of my forehead and prying my eyelids open to check the dilation of my pupils. I tried to swat her away. “Stop fussing. I’m fine. It was just a little dizzy spell, that’s all.”

“When was the last time you ate, my dear?” Dedrick asked with parent-like concern in his voice. He was even handsomer up close, with glossy brown hair, a smooth smile, and the barest hint of a dimple in his chin. He patted my bare hand with his gloved one.

“I’m fine,” I insisted.

“I’ll make sure she’s cared for,” Kate said. “And you’ll have your costume by midafternoon tomorrow, on my honor.” She paused. “Dedrick, I know we haven’t spoken in person since . . . since . . .”

“Since you ran off with my right-hand man?” Dedrick gave a soft chuckle.

“Yes. That.”

“I realized long ago that if I’d taken care of you better, escorted you myself, maybe it would have turned out differently. But I can’t blame you for falling in love. I’ve done so myself. Hundreds of times.”

She laughed lightly. “I’ve little doubt. Your reputation is renowned. You’d probably have made a terrible husband.”

“Probably,” he said, laughing with her, “but you would have made an excellent wife.” I looked away as he fondly brushed her cheek. Kate’s smile waned, and Dedrick quickly pulled his hand away, clearing his throat. “Your mother will be thrilled to know I’ve seen you. Can I let her know your happy news?”

“Will you?” Kate asked, eyes shining. “I’d love to see her again, even if nobody else wants to see me. Maybe after the baby is born . . .”

“Your mother misses you desperately,” Dedrick said. “I’m sure that a reunion can be arranged.”

He’d donned his hat and was at the door to leave when it swung open and Nathaniel, coming in from the other side, froze with his hand on the knob. The atmosphere immediately chilled.

“Dedrick,” Nathaniel said, the word sounding more like an accusation than a salutation.

“Nathaniel,” Dedrick replied. “So good to see you.” He tipped his hat to Kate and looked around. “Lovely little house you’ve got here. Hope to see it again soon.”

Nathaniel, occupying the whole of the doorway, did not move for Dedrick to get by, and their shoulders hit against each other heavily as Dedrick pushed past him. Dedrick gave one last salute over his shoulder. “Good day to you both.”

When he was gone, Kate turned to her husband, seething. “What was that?” she demanded. “He was a guest—?a client, actually. He came because he needed a seamstress for a costume; he didn’t know he’d find me. Could you not muster a speck of civility?”

Nathaniel’s voice was tight. “Do not let that man in my house again.” I lay still as a stone, hoping they’d forget I was in the room. In fact, it seemed they already had.

“Your house? This is our house, Nathaniel. I can let in whomever I want. What has gotten into you?”

“Don’t,” Nathaniel said again, dangerously calm. “Do not disobey me, Kate. My word on this is final.”