Clifford said nothing, for he knew he had allowed Malcolm to help him cheat. Why had he done it? Why? But now that he had, he had to keep what was left of his honor.
They then discussed the new Hancock baby, which was thriving, though her husband had decided to sue for divorce rather than wait for another child.
"Stephen is a cursed fool. It's not Esther's fault. I shall send her a message saying that as soon as she is well enough to be moved, she can take one of the gatehouses for her own. I can move either Sam or Bill in a trice, as they're not married. It would need to be cleaned out though, and given a few womanly touches, if you and your sister don't mind helping."
"We don't mind at all. It would be a great kindness to her, and of course, we will be only too glad to be her friend and support her."
"I can give Esther an allowance, but I can go one better even then that, and let Alistair Grant take her case. He will get every penny out of Stephen that she is entitled to. I only hope it doesn't break the poor woman's heart being cast off in such a cavalier manner, with her only fault being simply having a daughter rather than a son. Marriage is a dashed bad business for women sometimes."
"But not for Vanessa," Emma said sincerely. "Never fear, I shall see to Esther's welfare. You decide which man should move into the workers' cottages, and I will ensure that all is in readiness for her and the child. I know of a good wet-nurse too, and Josephine shall have one of the men take her around wood and water every day."
She paused for a moment, and then observed, "It's very good of you to get involved in this way. You know for a fact what the more evil-minded gossips will say. That the baby is yours, and you're only looking after one of your own."
Clifford shrugged. "I know, but I don't care. There's no one in the world whose opinion I value so much that I would hesitate to do the right thing for fear of their censure."
"Does that include Vanessa? It's bad enough that Gerald has told lies about you and Widow Pearson, and connected you name with half the women in the district. Any gossip about Esther might convince her that there was some truth in what her brother has said."
Clifford sighed. "Then she shall simply have to learn of my true character for herself. If she chooses to be angry with me or believe those lies, there's little I can do about it. It will be difficult to build a good marriage with that hanging over our heads. There can be no love and respect without trust. She can place her faith in me or not as she so chooses. But I will not abandon a friend who needs me."
Vanessa lay quietly with her eyes closed, but she had heard the entire conversation. Nothing Emma had said in front of her apparently unconscious audience coincided in any way with what Gerald had told her about Clifford's supposed immoderate behavior. He seemed the soul of kindness and decency.
None of what he said could be an act in front of her, could it? Not when he thought her asleep. He seemed to mean every word he said. Emma Jerome obviously thought the world of him, knew him to be a decent man.
Surely Emma was not a wanton herself? Nothing she had heard or seen could lead her to that conclusion.
But Gerald? Now there was someone capable of excess, she had to admit. He and his friends.
She was confused, and in turmoil over the doubts and suspicions creeping into her mind about her brother. Her aunt had always told her to listen to her heart. She had never had anything affect that organ so deeply as the past couple of days in Clifford's presence.
The truth was that she liked Clifford Stone. Liked him more than any man she had ever met. He moved her to joy, tenderness, even fear at times, but at least he caused her to feel. It was as though she had been completely dead inside until he had snatched her from the jaws of death. She could feel her whole mind light up, her entire body start to quiver whenever he was near. Could feel a lambent dewy moistness between her thighs, a languor flooding her limbs, whenever he was near. She desired him!
She, who had always fancied herself a bluestocking immune for Cupid's arrows, longed for his as a woman longs for a man! She knew people did the most irrational things in the name of love. But her feelings were so strong, poignant and acute every time he was near. At times she felt she could scarcely breathe, though he had never behaved in a lover-like manner once. Would it be so wrong to marry him?
That was assuming, of course, that her solicitors approved, Vanessa's more rational side reminded her, lest her new-found feelings get the better of her. The solicitors might be swayed by Gerald into permitting her to become the owner of Hawkesworth House and lift his burdens. On the other hand, perhaps she could persuade them?