“I told you,” was Sophie’s response. “Every man plays the fool at some time or other. Why didn’t Lucien simply hire one of the Bow Street Runners? I thought they were so good at dangerous business.”

For a second Charlotte’s heart leaped. But no, it was too late. By now Lucien and Alex would be at Southampton, boarding a ship bound for Italy. Lucien was traveling as Alex’s personal servant. These days there was nothing surprising about having a French manservant.

“No,” she said. “I doubt Bow Street Runners speak Italian. Alex made it all sound so simple.”

“Nothing is that simple,” Sophie said flatly. “Particularly not when it comes to the French.”

Charlotte tightened her grip around Pippa, who was peacefully sleeping in her lap. She hadn’t let her out of her sight all day. Then she sighed and looked up at Sophie.

“When this little bundle wakes up, would you like to go shopping? I can’t possibly face my studio today. Besides, I need to buy some larger clothes.”

“Larger clothes?” Sophie asked. “Why on earth?” Then her eyes widened. “You’re having a baby!” She jumped up and gave Charlotte an impulsive hug. “When?”

“I’m not sure,” Charlotte said with a small smile. “You see, I thought my monthly had started and that I wasn’t with child, but then it stopped. And my mama told me this morning that a little blood was quite common. So I could be as far as four months along, I suppose.” She looked down at her waist a little dubiously. “I feel just the same.”

Sophie smiled at her gaily. “Well, why shouldn’t you? Did you tell Alex?”

“No, because I didn’t know. I didn’t understand what was happening, and so he thinks I am definitely not pregnant, and here I am, three or four months pregnant. When he gets back, I’ll probably look like a cow.”

“A very beloved cow,” Sophie said with an affectionate grin. “Alex will be ecstatic. One evening he and I were sitting next to each other—was it a musicale? I’m not sure where you were—and he told me that he wanted a large family, four or five children.”

“Really?” Charlotte asked, fascinated.

“Oh, yes,” Sophie said. “He’s besotted. Only besotted men want children.”

Charlotte blushed and just stopped herself from asking if Sophie really thought Alex was besotted. She had to keep a little bit of dignity. Pippa stretched and yawned; Sophie rang the bell.

“Do you want to take Pippa with us?” she asked.

“Yes.”

Sophie gave her friend an understanding smile. Pippa looked so much like Alex.

“You’d better change your dress first,” Sophie observed. “There’s a wet spot where Pippa was sleeping.”

Chapter 17

Chapter 17