Free Lady Maybe by Julie Klassen Page B

only way I could think of to return for Danny. At all events, they all think I am Lady Mayfield. If you come with us, you mustn’t give me away. Or use my real name. Ever.”
    The girl’s brow furrowed. “But you can’t fool them forever.”
    “I know. I don’t want to. I only want to take care of Danny.”The reality of Hannah’s situation dawned on her as she spoke. “But here, as myself, I have no post, nowhere to sleep and nothing to eat. In Lynton, I am Lady Mayfield, with a house to sleep in, a position to offer you with wages, and all the food you, Danny, and I need. It will only be until my arm mends and I can find work and someplace for us to live. But I know what I am doing is deceitful and wrong. And I will understand if you want nothing to do with it. If you want to stay here, stay. I would not blame you. But please say nothing to anyone else about this—promise?”
    Becky frowned in confusion. “But the husband. Surely he knows you’re not his wife.”
    Hannah shook her head. “He hasn’t awakened. The doctor didn’t even know if he would live at first, though now he hopes he will.”
    “But as soon as he wakes up . . .”
    Hannah nodded. “Then you and I and Danny will have to leave immediately. I don’t think you would get into any trouble for going along with this, but I certainly shall.”
    Becky thought. “Perhaps we might find new posts a’way out there where nobody knows us.”
    “That’s what I’m hoping. But first you will return with us as Danny’s nurse. If you still want to come.”
    “I’ve nowhere else to go.”
    Hannah glanced over at her son in Edgar Parrish’s arms. “Neither, it seems, do I.”
    She turned toward the waiting Edgar and forced a smile. “Becky will be coming with us after all. I hope that is all right.”
    “Of course. Do we need to go and pick up his belongings?”
    She said breezily, “Never mind that. We have sufficient for the journey and will purchase what he needs when we arrive.”
    For a moment both Nancy and Edgar stared at her, confusion wrinkling their brows.
    “A fresh start in his new home,” Hannah said brightly. She turned and strode away in the direction of the coaching inn before either of them could ask further questions, though she heard Nancy whispering to Edgar as they walked. Probably something about the wasteful ways of the wealthy. Better that, Hannah thought, than suspecting the truth.
    When they arrived at the Westgate, rested horses were harnessed to the hired chaise. When all was ready, Ben helped her, Becky, and Nancy, into the chaise.
    Edgar handed Danny in to her. “Now, then.” He smiled. “Let’s get this fine lad home.”
    Home . . . The word echoed through Hannah’s mind. Lynton was not her home. Nor was Bath. Her father’s house in Bristol had once been, but no longer. Would she and Danny ever have a home of their own?
    Hannah held her son on a small rug on her lap. As the sun lowered in the sky, they stopped for the night at a coaching inn. Before joining the others for a late supper, she excused herself and stepped into a nearby shop to purchase baby linen for Danny—a clean nightgown, cap, and cloth for nappies. She once again considered leaving young Mr. Parrish and his sweetheart. But the inn was on the outskirts of a small village that did not look promising in terms of employment. Besides, her arm was not yet fit for work. And then there was Becky to consider. Hannah had to resign herself to the uncomfortable notion of returning to Lynton—to the house of Sir John Mayfield—and taking her chances there.
    What if Sir John had awakened? She winced at the thought of Dr. Parrish informing Sir John that his wife had returned to Bath to collect their child.
    “Collect our child?” He would say, stupefied. “Our child has yet to be born.”
    After that would follow questions, descriptions, and the stunning realization that his wife’s companion had the audacity to assume his wife’s identity.