A Scandalous Portrait (The Rose Room Rogues #1) - Callie Hutton Page 0,65

and began to peel it.

Hunt grew serious. He loved these two men and would trust them with his and his wife’s lives. “I trust you, as you well know. But mistakes happen.”

“Lately there seems to be a lot of mistakes coming from Miss Pence’s table,” Dante said and glanced over at Driscoll. Despite trying to look indifferent, there was a slight blush to Driscoll’s face.

“I’m sure everything is fine.”

“Miss Pence? You have a woman working at The Rose Room?”

“Yes, and her table is swarmed every night,” Dante said between bites.

Hunt looked over at Driscoll who was in charge of hiring. “Whatever made you hire a woman?”

“She’s smart, talented, a good worker and the members love her.” His words were clipped as if expecting Hunt to challenge him.

Hunt shrugged. “Your decision.” He looked at Dante. “What is the problem with her table?”

“Nothing,” Driscoll said as Dante also answered, “Could be shortages.”

“Well, I will leave you gentlemen to fight this out. I am going to take a short lie-down before Hunt and I go for our ride this afternoon.” Diana rose, and all three brothers jumped to their feet.

“Are you well, Diana? You look a little drawn.” Hunt studied her as he rounded the table to take her arm.

“I’m fine. Just a bit tired, as I said. I also have been troubled by a backache all night.”

“Should I send for Dr. Reading?” Hunt frowned as he led her out of the breakfast room.

“No.”

He helped her upstairs and called for Marguerite to assist her in undressing so she could rest comfortably.

Diana grabbed his arm as he made to leave the room. “We’re still going on our ride this afternoon, correct?”

“If you feel up to it, sweeting.”

“I will. I promise.”

He kissed her on the head and returned to the breakfast room where his brothers were in the midst of an argument.

“Are you two still arguing about Miss Pence?”

“There is nothing wrong with Miss Pence’s final tally reports.” Driscoll practically growled at Dante.

Dante shrugged. “If you say so.”

“How did you find this female dealer?” Hunt motioned to the footman to bring another pot of coffee.

“She fell in his lap,” Dante said, grinning widely.

Driscoll made to jump up and swing at his brother. Hunt grabbed the back of Driscoll’s jacket. “Knock it off. What’s the matter with the two of you?”

“Hunt!”

The scream from their bedchamber had Hunt forgetting all about his brothers and racing up the stairs. Marguerite met him, wringing her hands. “Her waters have broken, my lord.”

“What?” He had no idea what the maid was talking about. “Did she spill a glass of water on herself? Is that why she’s wailing in there?” He gestured with his thumb at the door and the sound of Diana crying.

Again.

“No, my lord. Her waters have broken. You must send for Dr. Reading.”

“Well, why didn’t you say so, instead of talking about spilled water?” He thundered down the stairs to the front door. “Peters, send for Dr. Reading. I think Lady Huntington is having the baby.”

He turned to see Dante and Driscoll striding toward the door. “I think this is a good time for us to take our leave.” Driscoll pounded him on his back. “Let us know when it is all over.”

Like two scurrying lads in trouble with the headmaster, the brothers grabbed their hats from Peters and fled the house.

“Hunt!” Another cry from upstairs.

Hunt gave Peters a shove to his shoulder. “Go. Get the doctor.”

Then he hurried back upstairs. Marguerite was just leaving the bedchamber, holding some wet clothing. “How is she?”

“Frightened, my lord. She’s never done this before.”

“Me, either,” he mumbled as he passed the maid and entered the room.

“I’ve sent for Dr. Reading, my love.” He sat alongside her on the bed and held her hand. “He will be here shortly.”

She nodded, then gripped his hands as her face twisted in pain. Blasted hell, he wanted to be anywhere but here. He hated watching his wife suffer and not able to do anything about it.

The next two hours passed with Diana alternating between squeezing his hand and panting and chattering non-stop about the baby and where the hell was Dr. Reading?

The same question he had. He tried twice to go back downstairs and pummel someone into hurrying up, but Diana would not let him leave.

Finally, they heard the sound of footsteps and the gruff voice of Dr. Reading. He entered the room right behind Marguerite. “Ah, here is our patient. I knew it was growing close to your time.” He turned to Marguerite. “My