O Night Divine A Holiday Collection of Spirited Christmas Tales - Kathryn Le Veque Page 0,114

a confidence. “You see, I have plans at Christmas and must make arrangements for Thomas.”

Anger filled her. “Arrangements?” she asked sharply.

“Yes. I’ve a house party to attend. Thomas has written to me. I know he has made friends here. Edward, I believe, is one of them. Perhaps he could go home with this Edward and then return to Dunwood Academy following his holiday break.”

Ashlyn wondered what this man would think if she told him that Edward was the son of a farmer.

“You do realize, Lord Dalworth, that this will be Thomas’ first Christmas without his mother. Holidays are a time for family. I would suggest you forego this house party and spend the holidays with your son. He needs to be nurtured and shown that he is loved.”

“Balderdash!” the viscount declared. “My late wife coddled the boy far too much as it is. Why, he even cried at her funeral. In public. A boy of twelve.” Dalworth shuddered. “It was most unseemly.”

Fury now filled her. “Thomas is a little boy. He lost his mother. Naturally, he would express his feelings through tears.”

“A man shouldn’t cry,” the viscount insisted. “No matter what his age.”

“You would gallivant at a house party while your son spends Christmas without you?”

He shrugged. “It is not as if I am close to the boy. He was definitely his mother’s child. They did all sorts of things together.” He paused, his brow furrowing. “And why should I have to explain myself to you, Your Grace?”

“I do not expect you to do so, my lord. I am merely explaining that it would be—”

“I have an important house party to attend,” he interrupted. “I intend to offer for Lady Sylvia while I am there. She is plain and plump but has an exceedingly hefty dowry. Her father is looking for someone to take her off his hands since she is already five and twenty.”

Dalworth leaned back in his chair. “I need that dowry, Your Grace. If you expect to be paid for the next term and the ones beyond, it is imperative that I wed this woman and receive it.”

She didn’t inform this oaf that she would make sure Thomas remained at Dunwood Academy, regardless of whether he could pay or not. If she didn’t intervene, the boy would spend his holidays alone with nothing but servants while his father washed his hands of having a child.

“If Edward’s father cannot host Thomas, then His Grace and I will be happy for Thomas to spend the Christmas holidays with us,” she said, ice in her voice.

The viscount apparently did not read social cues well because a broad smile broke out on his face. “Excellent news. In fact, forget this Edward. I would much rather my boy spend the Christmas season at Gillingham. I will make certain that Lady Sylvia’s father knows that. It’s not every day that a revered duke takes an unrelated boy into his care.”

Dalworth stood. “Then it’s settled. Thank you, Your Grace. I shall be on my way.”

She rose and saw his eyes went to her belly, which had been hidden behind the desk.

“Why, you’re increasing!”

“Yes. What of it, my lord?”

He shook his head. “I already thought it odd that His Grace allowed you to run a school from your home. But to be with child and doing so?” Dalworth shook his head. “It’s quite indecent.”

“My mind is not affected simply because I will give birth this spring, Lord Dalworth,” she said dismissively. “Are you telling me that you plan to depart without even seeing Thomas?”

He looked baffled by her question. “Why should I? He must be in class now.”

“He is—but you won’t be seeing him until his next school holidays. Don’t you wish to explain to him why?”

He harrumphed. “I believe that totally unnecessary, Your Grace. I see no reason to inform a child of anything. You may tell him of our arrangement. Thank you again for seeing to the boy.”

“Oh, Thomas will most definitely be taken care of. His Grace’s younger brothers are close to Thomas’ age. I am sure they will have a fine time together. Good day, Lord Dalworth.”

Ashlyn sat as the viscount left, stewing over what had just occurred. Thomas was such a sweet child. He must take after the mother that cared for him so well. It was a pity that Lady Dalworth was the one who had passed away and not her bastard of a husband.

She needed Reid.

Leaving her office, she took her time going to his study, her balance