Free The Promise by Kate Worth

and a moral obligation to see that the child...”
    “Pip.”
    “Beg pardon?”
    “She is not ‘the child,’ her name is Pip.” Jane knew it was unwise to be trenchant, but she resented his high-handed attitude. If he was going to press a ‘legal claim’ to Pip, he had better treat his niece as the precious gift she was.
    “Yes, of course. As I was saying, we have a legal claim and moral obligation to see that Pip is raised with every advantage and privilege due her by birth. Wouldn’t you agree?”
    Well, that certainly cut to the heart of the matter.
    Jane looked at Pip with tears in her eyes.
    “I would, but you cannot expect me to leave her here without preparing her first. No matter how fine your home, my lord, you are a stranger to her. She would feel frightened and confused if I left her abruptly.”
    “Let us not get ahead of ourselves, Miss Gray. Obviously we must discuss the transition. We will, but first I must join my mother and brother. No matter how this unfolds, you may rest assured that we’ve no wish to traumatize the chi… to traumatize Pip. With your permission, she will stay in Maura’s room tonight and, if your circumstance allows it, you may stay with her.  Tomorrow we’ll begin to spend time with Pip. It will be a new beginning for all of us.”
    Lord Wallace’s words were equal parts invitation, suggestion, and command. He was telling, not asking, how it would be. The change in his attitude plainly revealed that she had risen in status from suspect to guest, but he also claimed authority over Pip. Jane would not walk out of Carlisle House with her daughter, and if she hoped to have any role in Pip’s life in the future, then she would have to be as agreeable and accommodating.
    She swayed, suddenly light-headed. Lord Wallace reached out to steady her. His strong, warm hand should not have been comforting, attached as it was to the man who had taunted and accused her of terrible things all morning, but somehow it was.
    Jane closed her eyes, willing a halt to the wail of grief rising in her throat.
    “I love her,” Jane whispered.
    “I know,” he said with genuine concern in his eyes.
     
     
    “I FOUND THESE IN an old trunk in the attic,” Jenny said as she toted an armful of toys to where Jane and Pip sat reading books on the carpet. Pip’s eyes grew enormous when she saw the painted porcelain face of a doll that Jane would never have been able to give her. It wore a pink lace dress with a wide satin ribbon tied around its waist, and velvet slippers. Its pale blonde curls hung in crisp ringlets that framed unblinking blue eyes. She imagined Pip dressed like the doll.
    Jane wondered how many women would soon take her place in Pip’s life? Would Rutledge hire a nurse, a governess, and a maid to see to his niece’s needs? She was only five years old. Jane had few memories from that age and wondered how long it would take Pip to forget her. How long before her face blended into the parade of caretakers and servants?
    Defeated by the depressing thought, Jane leaned her back against the wall and let Jenny take over. The sleepless night and intensely emotional morning were taking their toll. Now that arrest was no longer imminent, she found herself struggling to keep her eyes open.
    She smiled sadly when she looked at Pip, so excited to play with such beautiful toys. She was too young to wonder why she was in the Duke’s mansion or to notice that her mother was struggling to hide fear and grief. With Pip’s voice chattering in the background, Jane’s eyelids drooped and she soon drifted to sleep on a sunny patch of carpet.
     
     
    IN THE BLUE SALON the duchess was sobbing. Her sons recounted Jane’s story and everything that had transpired since the locket surfaced. Slowly she composed herself and began to shift focus from the past to the future.
    “What…” she hiccupped, “…What is the child’s name?”
    “Pip.”
    “How sweet. Is it short for Phillipa?”
    “Piper,