Confessions of a Royal Bridegroom(161)

“I still don’t understand all the ridiculous cloak and dagger,” Griffin said. “Why not just bring his son home and sort out the legalities of the situation later?”

“Because San Agosto, like many Italian states, is still in flux after the war,” Dominic explained. “There’s a great deal of radical ferment and movements to consolidate Italy under one republic. There are many who abhor the restoration of the old kingdoms and duchies like San Agosto, and who actively fight against it.”

“Yes,” Chloe said. “The duke has just been restored to his throne. If it were known that he’d married an Englishwoman from a Protestant background—and a shopkeeper’s daughter, no less—and that he’d sired a potential heir, the scandal would be enormous. It would certainly strengthen the hands of the radicals if the royal family was mired in scandal and legal complications.”

Griffin shook his head. “So, his bloody highness the duke decided it was better to forget he ever had a son?”

Chloe nodded. “He was genuinely frightened of what his mother might do to the baby, especially if he brought Stephen to Italy.”

“So, the duchess is a modern-day Lucrezia Borgia,” Griffin said with disgust. “I was right—this entire situation is demented.”

“But all too real,” Dominic said. “It’s not entirely clear to me what the duchess would do if she got her hands on the child, but it would be wise not to find out.”

Chloe peered at him with anxious hope. “Then you believe me?”

A strange smile twisted the edges of Dominic’s mouth. “Haven’t I always, my dear friend?”

She ducked her head, obviously struggling to hold back tears. Griffin shifted, uncomfortable with her distress. In fact, he was so damned uncomfortable with all the blasted emotions that he could barely think.

He tried to take refuge in the facts. “So, we all agree the duchess is a threat. But if the duke was so determined to hide Stephen from her, how did she discover his existence?”

Chloe spread her hands in a helpless gesture. “I suspect that at some point she intercepted Sophia’s letters to the duke while he was in Vienna. Or mine, possibly. All I can tell you is that Count Marzano, who is the duchess’ most trusted advisor, did not appear on my doorstep until after Marco left for Italy. In light of what I already knew and the duke’s instructions to me, Marzano’s insistence that I turn over the child made me extremely suspicious.”

“So, naturally, you refused,” said Dominic.

“I did, and the next thing I knew my house was broken into and my staff and charges were handled quite roughly. Fortunately, I was out that day and had the baby with me.”

Griffin’s gut pulled tight as he thought of Justine, alone and possibly in danger at this very moment. “So, you thought it better to dump the problem on my doorstep.”

His mother let out a weary sigh. “I felt it the safest place to leave him. After all, who would look for the child of royalty in a brothel?” she said, sounding quietly bitter. “Then I went into hiding. It was the only way I could think of to protect the baby.”

“God, Chloe,” Dominic said. “You could have come to me.”

“I . . . I didn’t think that would be wise,” she stuttered. “Not given—”

Griffin chopped down his hand. “Enough. You two can play out your dreary little drama without me. Right now, I only want one thing—Justine’s location.”

Chloe winced. “As long as Dominic can promise to keep the baby from falling into the wrong hands.”