Free 9781618859594HerDeviantLordPimentel by Layna Pimentel Page B

together. She had not
thought much of how Bastian would take to becoming a father, much less expect
for them to bond in such a short time.
    She crossed the
threshold of the room and swept in behind them, her heart swelling with pride,
an unexpected flush of heat rushing through her. Was it wrong to feel so
connected, attracted, and satisfied to have a man such as Bastian at her side?
    His head craned to
see her approaching. He smiled at her and lowered his head to whisper something
to the babe. “I was wondering when you would get up. He’s a quiet lad, though
he only holds his attention for a short while before he gets squirmy.”
    Cordelia could not
help but laugh. “Surely you jest. One cannot expect a child less than a year to
hold his attention long. For heaven’s sake,” she chided him, reaching for
Matthew. “He should be ready to feed right about now.”
    “The housekeeper
has already seen to acquiring a nursemaid on such short notice.”
    How could he? This is my right. Anger
rippled through her that Bastian had taken the choice away from her. “How could
you!”
    “My dear, I was
only thinking of you. The child could use a little separation from you now, and
I do not mean to imply a permanent independence. I only speak in the way that
you and I can spend some time alone. Cedric is arranging to have Matthew’s
furniture delivered as we speak.”
    No sooner had his
words quieted then a nursemaid entered the suite and retrieved the baby,
leaving her to thoughts of how she would punish him so. She disliked being
cross at him, however, Bastian had crossed the line with his interference. She
had no intention of them staying in town this long. How could she even begin to
ask him to leave this all behind?
    He would never
leave his wealth and position to be with her and his illegitimate son. She
could not believe she had even considered the thought. How foolish. Foolish indeed. A man of his fortune and nobility would
never give anything up for a woman.
    The thought pained
her, so much so that she could feel the tears well up in her eyes. Cordelia
stepped back and attempted to leave the room, but as soon as she turned he had
caught her by the waist.
    “Where do you
think you are escaping to, my love? I have waited far too long to see you
again, and now that we are alone, you are departing.”
    Cordelia sighed,
silently praying to blurt out the words. “Bastian…we…Matthew and I…cannot
stay.”
    “I beg your pardon?”
He turned her, ensuring that their gazes met. “Cordelia, whatever do you mean?
I thought that we could make our situation…permanent.”
    How desperately
she desired that, but with the small matter of her husband being the obstacle,
how could they even begin to make the prospect more than fiction? She loved
Bastian with all her heart, but they could never live in harmony in London
whilst her husband still survived.
    “And pray tell,
how exactly do you suppose we will accomplish the herculean task of making this
permanent. My husband is still alive. His title was revoked, and all that was
mine is gone. Save only for the child that I bore out of wedlock.”
    “Barely, woman.
Richard is barely alive. We shall see him on the morrow and put an end to this
madness. You cannot mean to leave me again. I shall not stand for it. I would
rather die at the hands of the enemy than let you turn your back on us. Our
love. The possibility of our happiness. Do not do this, Cordelia. I implore
you!”
    The world spun
around her whilst she tried to find the words to express her dismay. Surely, he
could find it in his heart to forgive her. “I am not sure paying my husband a
visit on his death bed is advisable, my lord. If he is ailing from some disease
that is contagious, I do not want to pass it along to my only son.”
    “Sweetheart,
Matthew will be the first of many other sons we shall have. Now, come here. We
shall settle this nonsense now, so I can get back to being greedy with my
future