An Unlikely Father Read Online Free Page B

great oak doors. The Indian handed the goat’s leash to Jamie, then went to rap the heavy knocker. As the sound echoed back at them, the giant servant stepped aside for his mistress to speak with whoever answered the summons. The man from Calcutta had not been long in England before he realized that his size and even his dark skin seemed to frighten the average Englishman.
    Before the castle door opened, Wesley began to fuss as he squirmed in Delia’s arms, wanting only to be in his bed, not understanding why he was awakened so late. Tiny fists rubbed at weary eyes as his whimpers grew louder.
    Emily extended her arms and said, “Here, I shall take him, my dear. You must be exhausted. You have cared for him since we left Wells this afternoon.”
    Delia surrendered the baby, then took the birdcage from Honoria, who appeared quite exhausted despite wide, curious eyes. Allowing her gaze to rest on her employer, the widow said, “I cannot like the idea of our arriving so late, Emily. You know what the innkeeper at the Hart and Hound said about the earl.”
    Emily laughed as she patted the baby’s back to quiet his cries. “That Lord Hawksworth was a notorious rake - hell? Do you fear for our virtue, my dear?”
    “Don’t be silly. ’Tis only that it might be considered unseemly to be residing at a rake’s residence, no matter the reason. I lack sufficient beauty to interest a rake, but you are both lovely and an innocent.”
    “I doubt his lordship will have the time to give a second glance to two unfashionably dressed females who are about to turn his raffish world upside down.” At that moment a footman opened the door. Dressed in black livery with gold frogging and a neat white wig, he swept the lot with such a look of condescension that Emily wished they’d had the time to be outfitted with new wardrobes.
    With a self-assurance she was far from feeling in her drab gray traveling gown and plain poke bonnet, Emily announced, “I should like to see Lord Hawksworth on a private matter.”
    Speaking with all the arrogance he could muster, the servant, whose name was Martin, intoned, “His lordship is not at home to visitors this evening, madam.”
    He made as if to shut the door, but to his surprise the female in grey boldly thrust her hand upon the door, stopping him. “Perchance I did not make myself clear. I am here to see his lordship on a matter of some urgency, and these children should not be left standing in the cold.”
    Martin chewed his lip pensively. He liked the prestige that being employed at the castle netted him at the local tavern. He’d held his position as second footman for nearly a year, but this was the first time he was responsible for handling visitors, Bedows having gone to bed sick early in the evening. As he pondered what he should do about this pushing female, his gaze dropped to the young girl and boy peeking around the woman who was trying to force her way in. At once he was struck with the resemblance the children held with his lordship.
    In an instant, the footman guessed that this woman was some soiled dove who’d enjoyed his lordship’s favors. Now she was trying to force her way into the castle to dun Lord Hawksworth for blunt for her base - born brats. Straightening with indignation, Martin knew his duty.
    “Go about your business, you brass-faced hussy. His lordship don’t want your kind darkenin’ his doorway. Nor any brats disturbin’ his peace. Likely he would call the magistrate to have you thrown in the gaol for immoral behavior and who would blame him.” With that the servant stepped forward and extended his arm to give the woman a shove out of the way.
    But his hand had barely landed on her shoulder before Martin felt something grip the back of his collar, and his feet flew off the floor. He was jerked about and found himself staring into the black eyes of an insane brown giant with a white sheet wrapped round his head.
    “You will not touch my memsahib in such a