to help, but he had lost them both. Fortunately, time did heal. Age also had a way of making a man look at things differently. He no longer blamed himself for what had happened, nor did he lie awake at nights cursing his fate.
Nate smiled inwardly.
This time everything had gone right. For him it was something like redemption. Richard’s healthy cry had been the most beautiful sound he had heard in many years.
For the next two days, it seemed that everyone on the train managed to find their way to their car, offering congratulations to the parents. Any hope of keeping herself and Hester secluded had been solidly dashed.
Ann couldn’t believe how quickly Hester recovered from her ordeal. The abigail’s mood was especially bright, and she gave no indication of how she had suffered. Hester had even said the labor had been brief and there were no aftereffects. Ann cringed at the thought of what a long labor would be like.
She leaned her back against the comfortable seat and permitted herself to wallow in the pleasure of having a son. He was so perfect, even down to his tiny toes. All of her hopes and prayers had been answered. Edmund’s son would take his rightful place as the duke of Gravenworth. He even looked like his father, whose handsome facial features had been a perfect cover for his cruelty. But as much as Ann had looked forward to cradling the tyke in her arms, she couldn’t bring herself to do it. He was so very small. She was afraid she might do something to harm him. What if she held him wrong and broke something? Surely when he grew bigger she wouldn’t be so hesitant.
As for Hester, she had resumed her giggling, leaning closer and reaching across the aisle to touch the man who had claimed to know women. Nate wasn’t even aware that Hester was making a fool of him just to satisfy her vanity.
Ann raised her hand to cover a yawn. She wasn’t getting much sleep at night. The mattress was too hard and the space too narrow.
She turned her head and looked at Nate. What would it feel like to touch him? What would it feel like to have him touch her? Last night she had dreamed they were copulating. She had awaked covered with perspiration and her unfulfilled passion still painfully alive. Wonderful pleasure had washed over her and she.
Ann felt her passion rising. Embarrassed, she glanced around to see if anyone had notice her flushed cheeks. No., She raised the book of Tennyson poems from her lap. How could she dream about passion when she had never experienced it before? And why? After Edmund, she had sworn never to let a man touch her again. She opened her book and pretended to read.
Nate’s curiosity had been eating at him as to why Albert had called his son Richard Huntington instead of Richard Potter. Now seemed the perfect time to find out the answer. Albert might not give information freely, but Hester was an entirely different matter.
“Albert told me your son is a duke,” Nate said casually.
Hester was shocked that the duchess had revealed such. “Ah. yes.”
“Does that mean you’re a duchess?”
“Well, I.yes.” Hester knew her supposed husband was glaring at her. She could feel the heat on her back. But she had suddenly realized that she had been given the perfect opportunity to launch her plan. “In truth, I am Antoinette Huntington, the duchess of Gravenworth.” Though it hurt, she ignored her mistress’s pinch. She had just taken the first step toward switching places with the duchess. “Friends and family call me Ann.”
Nate smiled. If Hester was a duchess, Albert had to be a duke. That could possibly account for his prissiness and lack of muscle. That was a big assumption since he’d never known a duke. “Where did the name Hester come from?”
Hester leaned toward the handsome man and whispered, “I didn’t want anyone to know my real identity so I took the name of a servant. I had heard so many tales about your country, I feared for my well-being.”
Nate thought a moment. “I would say you have every right to feel that way, sweetheart. Do you mind if I call you Ann?”
“Yes!” Hester heard the duchess mutter.
“No,” Hester replied, a bit breathy from her sudden excitement at having received such an endearment from Nate.
“Why are you headed west?” Nate asked.
“For a stay at my cousin’s estate in Arizona.”
“Arizona is a big territory, with Indians and hot desert from Santa Fe to where you’re headed. If I were you, I’d convince Albert to find a good guide who can supply plenty of protection before taking you into the wilds.”
The baby started fussing and Hester had to attend to his feeding. Nate’s words of warning frightened her. As the baby suckled, Hester considered the advantages of getting Nate to take them to Arizona. He seemed to be the only one who knew where it was. And there could also be other benefits. At Beau’s ranch, Nate would testify that she was the real duchess and Richard’s mother. Milady would declare it was all lies, but who would believe her? The plan was foolproof.
Though it apparently hadn’t bothered Hester, Ann had placed a cloth over Hester’s breast so others could not observe the nursing. At least Nate had the courtesy to leave the Pullman. He had probably headed for the saloon car.
“Hester, whatever possessed you to tell Nate you are the duchess of Gravenworth?” Ann asked worriedly.
Hester looked shocked. “I had no choice. After you told him Richard’s name, I had to be titled.”
“You’re right. I’m to blame. Well, it doesn’t matter, I guess. We’ll never see him again once we reach Colorado.” Ann looked at the precious baby. She could no longer put off the question that had been tormenting her these past few days. “Hester, you haven’t changed your mind about me raising Richard, have you?”
For now, Hester still needed the duchess. She raised her hand to her mouth in mock shock. “Oh no, milady,” she whimpered as she feigned humility. “How could you ask? You are the mother.” She adjusted her nipple to the baby’s tiny mouth. “I’m only the wet nurse.”
Ann’s concerns faded as quickly as melting ice. She had already come to realize that had Hester decided to keep Richard, she could never take him away. But though that dilemma had been settled, their plight was far from over. Watching who left and who entered the coach had become so automatic that half the time she didn’t even realize she was doing it.
“Hester, please be careful about giving information to anyone else. We won’t be safe until we reach Beau.”
“I fully understand your concerns.” Hester smiled sweetly. “Richard is sleeping now. Would you care to hold your son?”
Ann smiled back.
With no further ado, Hester placed Richard in Ann’s arms.
Seeing the warmth that had entered the duchess’s green eyes, Hester knew she had made the right decision.
“He’s so tiny,” Ann whispered.
“You won’t be awakening him. He is full and content” Hester stretched. It felt so good to no longer be pregnant. And, from all indications, it wasn’t going to take long for her body to return to normal. She could hardly wait to welcome Nate to her bed.
“Your
