Sarah nodded. “He spent a bit of time with me, met the girls, and delivered a message from my husband. Just talking with Lord Warshire made me feel closer to William … and gave me a sense of comfort.”

Sophie gulped. She wanted to ask whether Reese had a wild, lost look in his eyes. She wanted to know if he seemed as empty and sad as she’d felt since the day they’d said goodbye. Instead, she said, “I’m glad Lord Warshire visited you.”

She was proud of him, too. If he’d been reluctant to open the letters from Sarah, he must have been doubly apprehensive about meeting her in person. But he’d promised to do the right thing where Sarah was concerned, and he had—in spite of the demons that plagued him.

Sarah swiped at her eyes. “He was a bit reserved but very kind. He even—” Sarah turned and blinked at Violet, who’d begun to vigorously fan herself. “My dear,” she said, putting a supportive arm behind the pregnant woman’s back, “are you overly warm?”

“No,” Violet said, but all the color had drained from her face, making her eyes look even larger and browner than usual. “It’s just the name … Lord Warshire. I wasn’t expecting to hear it.”

Sophie tilted her head at the young woman, concerned by the tremor in her voice. Something had clearly upset her. “Do you know the earl?” she asked gently.

Violet swallowed, and for a moment looked as though she might be sick. “I knew the former earl,” she said flatly. “He’s … he’s the father of my baby.”

Sophie shook her head, wanting to be certain she’d heard correctly. Unless she was mistaken, Violet was talking about Reese’s older brother. “Lord Warshire was your employer?” she asked. “The one who took advantage of you?”

“Yes.” Violet’s jaw twitched. “And when he discovered I was with child, he … he refused to believe it, much less acknowledge he was the father.”

“What a cruel, insufferable scoundrel,” Sarah exclaimed, rubbing Violet’s back soothingly. “I’d heard he died in a hunting accident. Perhaps that was fate’s way of exacting justice.”

“Please, don’t say that,” Violet said. “As angry as I was—and still am—I never wished for him to die. I only wanted him to take some responsibility for the life we created together.” She sighed and cradled her belly in her arms. “That’s impossible now.”

The women sat in silence for several seconds. Then, Sophie said, “I don’t know if fate played a part in the previous earl’s death, but I do think that a greater force wove the threads of our lives together. We’re all struggling in our own ways … but maybe we can help each other.”

“You both have already helped me more than you know,” Violet said.