Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

S imon sat in his study the next morning, preparing to pen a series of letters. He had to get to the bottom of the situation, and figure out who this child belonged to.

It was a problem in which he did not wish to entangle himself, but one that had been forced upon him. He was going through some correspondence when a familiar voice boomed from the doorway.

“Simon Wylde, you old rogue! Have you missed me?”

Simon looked up, confused at first by the interruption, but then a genuine smile broke across his face.

“Anthony! It’s been far too long.” He stood up to greet his friend. They embraced briefly, then Simon gestured to a chair. “Come, sit. How did you know I was back in town?”

“Oh, you underestimate me, dear friend. You know that I have my ways,” he grinned.

Simon raised an eyebrow, “Impossible. I did not tell anyone.”

Anthony chuckled, throwing his hands in the air. “No worries, you caught on to my bluff. In actuality, I was merely passing by and decided to visit. As you know, I have been on my Grand Tour for the last several months.”

“Ah, yes,” Simon nodded. “Tell me, then. What sort of adventures have you been having?”

“Oh, the usual — ruins, art, scandalous affairs. You know how it is on the Grand Tour,” he grinned.

Simon chuckled, shaking his head. Such was expected from his friend, who was a notorious rake who never once expressed the urge to settle down. ‘Love is a great thing, a grand thing. Why waste it on one person?’ he would say to Simon.

“So nothing but the usual, then?”

Anthony guffawed. “Nothing but the usual. But enough about me. Tell me about yourself. It seems that you have undertaken some adventures of your own in my absence.”

Simon’s smile faded slightly. “You’ve heard correctly. Life has taken an unexpected turn.”

Anthony leaned forward, his grin widening. “So, tell me about this wife of yours. Rumor has it you’ve been avoiding her like the plague.”

“Is that what the gossips are saying?” his frown deepened. Perhaps Harriet had not been as adept as she thought in keeping the details of their arrangement a secret.

“You know that people talk. Luckily for you, though, I am here to report it.”

“I would rather not know,” Simon looked away. “It’s complicated, Anthony. Harriet and I… we barely know each other.”

“I feel the same way about my lovers,” Anthony grinned, causing Simon to pass him a reproachful look. “Just joking, my friend. It seems to me that your problems are not so serious, though. You share the same roof — how difficult can it be to get to know her?”

Simon balled his hands in fists. “You would be surprised. I have spent some time with her these last few days, and I do not think we get along.”

“Then that is even better,” Anthony nodded, “It adds a twist of drama to what otherwise can be a monotonous affair.”

“Marriage, you mean?”

“Of course,” Anthony nodded. “Don’t you think?”

“I am afraid that I have been far busy with other problems to even think of it like that,” he sighed, slumping back in his seat.

“More trouble? Ah, it seems like you’re on quite a spree. What is it this time?” Anthony inquired.

“Well…” he dropped his voice down, even though it was only them in the room, “there is the matter of… a baby.”

“Baby?” Anthony nearly jumped up in his seat. “You rascal. You had a baby, and did not even tell me? I thought you considered me your closest friend.”

Simon rolled his eyes at his friend’s theatrics. “Calm down. It is not my baby. But one that was left at our doorstep. We do not know who the parents are.”

Anthony raised an eyebrow. “Ah, that is quite the pickle you are in.”

Simon gave a wry smile. “Not by choice, I assure you. The duchess has been taking care of it ever since.”

Anthony’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “And you’ve been hiding in your study, leaving the poor woman to fend for herself?”

Simon’s expression turned serious. “It’s not like that. I’ve been trying to find out who the father is. I think I have an idea.”

Anthony’s teasing demeanor softened as he leaned back in his chair. “Go on, then. I would like to hear what your suspicions are.”

Simon took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. It was something that he had thought about a lot, but had not told anyone yet. “I believe the father is my brother.”

Anthony’s eyes widened in surprise. “Your brother? Are you certain?”

Simon nodded slowly. “Almost certain. But I cannot risk ruining his reputation without proof. And I barely know the duchess. I can’t just lay this on her without being sure.”

“You’re in quite the bind, old friend. Have you confronted your brother?”

“Not yet,” Simon admitted. “I need to be absolutely certain before I do anything that could damage his standing. And there’s the matter of Harriet….”

“What about her? Should she not be relieved knowing the child is not yours?” Anthony teased.

Simon considered his words for a moment. Truthfully, it would be best if the child belonged to someone else. Someone to whom he had no connection. But if it was really his brother’s child, as he suspected, things would become a lot more complicated.

Foremost, it would mean that he now had a real responsibility to the child, as they were related by blood. As an extension, Harriet would have some responsibility, too.

That felt unfair to put upon her, despite their relationship.

“She’s been through enough without adding more uncertainty to her life,” he said finally.

Anthony nodded, his respect for Simon evident. “It is heartwarming that you have concern for her.”

“It is not concern,” Simon corrected swiftly. “It is merely my duty.”

“Duty,” Anthony laughed. “As you say. Though — I will note that your marriage sounds a lot more interesting than the others I hear about.”

“Interesting?” he scoffed, “The duchess is as stubborn as they come. I am not sure what is so interesting about that; it is irksome if anything.”

“Look at you,” Anthony chuckled. “You sound as though you are in love already.”

Simon glared at his friend. “Did you have a pint before coming here? What sort of nonsense is this that you are spewing?”

“I might have,” he grinned. “But I have never seen you express any sort of emotion towards a woman.”

Simon narrowed his eyes at him, waiting for an explanation.

“Simon, disdain and annoyance is an emotion, too,” Anthony replied.

“Oh, stop it. You are deluded. What matters to me is finding the true parentage of this child,” he said. “All else is irrelevant.”

Simon knew that he had to get confirmation. Even though he had his suspicions — quite strong ones — he could not decide what the next step should be, lest he knew for sure.