Summer's Distant Heart - Laura Landon Page 0,18
worse would be if his father knew of the baby’s existence. Her world would be altered irreparably if the Marquess of Trentridge and Montclaire both demanded possession of the babe.
She looked out onto the empty graveled drive. Thankfully, Montclaire had left her in peace for much of the afternoon. Thankfully, she hadn’t had to battle his unpleasantness. She didn’t think she could manage that right now. She’d never been so frightened in her life.
Tears filled her eyes and spilled over her lashes. It had been difficult enough to assume responsibility for her nephew, after having watched while her sister lost her life birthing him. Then, to discover that Lord Atherton had asked his brother to take care of his son so their father would never gain control of him only added to everything she’d been forced to deal with.
To be uprooted and moved to a place that was unfamiliar. To live with a man whose hostility toward her was unrelenting, and who wanted possession of the babe as desperately as she did, was almost more than she could cope with.
Lia swiped at a second tear that trickled down her cheek, then turned her gaze to the window. The sight before her blurred and she was forced to blink several times before she clearly saw a figure riding toward the manor house.
“Miles,” she whispered, then raced toward the front door.
Hobson opened the door and she ran through it on her way to meet her brother.
“Miles!” she called out.
Her brother leaped from his horse when she reached him and gathered her in his arms.
“Lia,” he said wrapping his strong, muscled arms around her. “I got here as quickly as I could. Are you alright?”
“I am now, Miles. Oh, I can’t tell you how glad I am that you’re here.”
Her brother brushed a tear from her face and held her for another second.
“Your letter was a bit sketchy, I’m afraid. What’s going on?”
She nodded. “Come in and I’ll explain everything. But, you have to remember to call me Janice.”
“Janice? Why?”
“Because Lord Hunter Montclaire doesn’t know Janice died giving birth to a son. He thinks his brother’s wife is still alive.”
“Oh, Lia.”
He gathered her close again. “And you’ve been living as Janice?”
Lia nodded.
“Let’s get you inside, sister. You’re trembling like a leaf.”
Her brother wrapped his arm around her shoulders and led her into the house. They stepped into the foyer and Lia lifted her head. Her gaze locked with Lord Hunter Montclaire’s.
Lia stumbled and Miles steadied her.
“Miles, I’d like you to meet Lord Hunter Montclaire, Georgie’s uncle. Montclaire, my brother, Miles Halloway.”
“How do you do, Halloway,” Montclaire said.
“It’s a pleasure,” Miles answered.
“Please,” Lia said. “Let’s go into the drawing room. I’ll send someone for Aunt Mildred. I know she’ll want to see you. It’s been quite a while since you were last here.”
“Yes. And you need to sit before you fall,” her brother said.
“Are you unwell?” Montclaire asked. There was concern in his voice and in the expression on his face.
Lia didn’t like it that he might think she was ill. Or weak.
She glanced over to where he stood. “I’m fine. Just a little tired.” She hadn’t been feeling herself all day, but she was not about to let them know it. “Come,” she said and led her brother to the drawing room.
A footman opened the drawing room door and Miles led her to a chair. Montclaire poured a glass of sherry and handed it to her.
“Thank you, my lord.”
Montclaire nodded, then shifted his gaze to Miles. “Brandy or port?”
“Brandy, if you please.”
Montclaire poured two glasses of the good French brandy then sat, after he’d handed one of the glasses to her brother.
“Has Lady Atherton explained our plans?” Montclaire asked.
“Not fully. She only said that it was imperative that you move the child someplace where he won’t be found.”
“Yes, that’s true.”
“Found by whom?” Miles asked.
“By the boy’s grandfather. By my father.”
“He’s in danger from his own grandfather?”
Lia intended to answer Miles’ question, but Aunt Mildred rushed through the door and all conversation ceased. The topic went to their aunt telling Miles how good he looked, which he did, and how glad she was to see him. He’d always been a strapping boy, but the war had molded him into a handsome fellow who exuded strength. Lia was surprised that he wasn’t married, but like many men who’d survived the war, they came home with memories that haunted them. It took some of them a long time to adjust to normal life.
After they’d conversed a