Page 29 of Kidnapping Cordelia

“Gabriel, if you didn’t want your sister to interfere with your construction, you ought not to have provoked her,” Arabella said sternly, before turning back to her brother. “Yes, but the poor dear looked to be at her wits’ end, so I sent her for a lie down. There’s usually two of them, but the children all had vile colds last week and so now Sarah has gone down with it too. I only hope Rachel doesn’t succumb or we shall be in the basket. Ava! Don’t do that,” she said, wagging a finger at the child.

“Where’s Bainbridge?” Leo demanded. “He causes all this trouble, the least he can do is help you with it.”

Arabella gave a gurgle of laughter and stroked her burgeoning stomach fondly. “Oh, he does, my dear, he does.”

Leo shook his head, wondering if he was truly considering settling down and having children, though he could never imagine Violette among such a chaotic scene. A footman appeared and Bella ordered their tea, momentarily halting their conversation.

“Bainbridge had some business to attend to this morning,” his sister said, finally answering his question. “He’ll be back shortly. Is it him you wanted, then?”

“No, or at least, no, I don’t think so. I want your advice, Bella.”

His sister’s eyes grew round with astonishment. “You don’t say! Truly?”

“Yes, and don’t make a fuss or I won’t ask. Especially don’t make a fuss when I do ask,” he added hastily. “I mean it, Bella, no crying or carrying on, and you’re not to say a word to anyone. Anyone,” he repeated, glaring at her.

“But darling, I’m the soul of discretion,” she said, returning his glare with an expression of indignation.

“You tell Bainbridge everything,” Leo said flatly.

Bella waved this away as immaterial. “Oh, well, yes, of course, I’ll tell Bainbridge, but that’s not the same thing at all,” she protested. “Do stop being mysterious and tell me, Leo!”

Leo rolled his eyes. “I knew this was a mistake,” he said with a sigh.

“Stop being dramatic. What’s the trouble?” Bella demanded, before her expression shifted to one of delight. “Oh! A woman! It’s a woman! You want to know how to propose to her. Is that it, Leo?” she asked, practically bouncing on the spot.

“Steady on, Bella,” Leo protested. “I’m sure all that jigging about isn’t good for the baby.”

Bella’s eyes twinkled and Leo guessed she was about to say something outrageous, so he hurried on, “Don’t say it, and if you must know, I’ve not got that far yet.”

Bella squealed with delight. “At last!” she crowed. “I had almost given up hope. Who is it, darling? Shall I like her?”

“Well, I should think so,” Leo said wryly. “It’s Violetta.”

Bella went very quiet and then burst into tears.

“Bella!” Leo said, horrified, and having no clue about what to do about it. The children, seeing their mama sobbing piteously, all decided they ought to follow suit, and suddenly the noise level rose dramatically.

Leo stared around at six children, the older ones having run over to clutch at their mother while the others huddled about her legs, tugging at her skirts and wailing with varying degrees of enthusiasm.

“What the devil is going on here?” boomed a masculine voice from the doorway.

“Oh, thank God,” Leo muttered, never more relieved to see the Marquess of Bainbridge than he was at that moment.

“Leo! What have you done?” he demanded, advancing on Leo with fury in his eyes.

“Bainbridge,” Bella sobbed. “Don’t murder him, he’s… he’s… he’s in love,” she said, hiccoughing and hefting her bulky form upright as she threw herself into his arms.

“Oh, is that all?” Bainbridge said with a sigh. “Lord, Bella, I’ve grown used to you weeping over kittens and puppies when you’re breeding, but Leo? It’s a bit much, love.”

“I should say it is,” Leo said in disgust.

“You stay out of this,” Bainbridge retorted, handing his wife a handkerchief so she could blow her nose. “There, all better. Now sit down and tell me what’s been going on.”

Leo watched with resignation as Bainbridge settled his wife back in her seat, withdrew another handkerchief and went around the room, blowing his children’s noses one after another. Any hopes of having a quiet word with his sister—which had admittedly not been high—died an inevitable death.

“He’s in love with Violetta,” Bella said with a sniff.

“Well, of course he is. Didn’t I tell you so the year before last?” Bainbridge said impatiently.