Chapter 4

In the quiet solitude of her chamber, Lady Eleanor Fairfax sat at her dressing table, her hands trembling as she stared at the small, delicate object cradled in her palm. A sense of disbelief washed over her, mingling with a wave of fear and uncertainty that threatened to overwhelm her fragile composure.

With trembling fingers, Eleanor unfolded the neatly folded piece of parchment, her heart pounding in her chest as she read the words written upon it. "Positive," the note read, in the neat, precise script of the midwife who had delivered the news.

Positive. The word echoed in Eleanor's mind, sending shockwaves of realization coursing through her veins. Positive, meaning that the life growing within her was not just a figment of her imagination, but a tangible, undeniable truth.

For a long moment, Eleanor could only sit there, her mind reeling with the implications of what this meant. She had known, of course, that she and Duke Daniel Hawthorne had taken certain...liberties during their time together, but she had never imagined that those moments of passion would lead to something so profound, so life-altering.

And now, faced with the reality of her situation, Eleanor felt a sense of panic rising within her. How could she tell Daniel about the child growing within her? How could she burden him with the weight of her secret, knowing that it would forever alter the course of their lives?

With a heavy heart, Eleanor folded the note and tucked it into the hidden recesses of her gown, her mind spinning with a whirlwind of emotions. She knew that she could not keep this secret forever, but for now, she would hold it close, guarding it like a precious jewel until the time was right to reveal the truth to the man she loved.

She had made up her mind. She was finally going to go and say it. She was nervous and happy at the same time, but as nervous as she was, she was going to tell him no matter what. This child could be a blessing that would allow them to finally live together. 

The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the elegant facade of Hawthorne Manor as Lady Eleanor Fairfax approached the imposing gates. Her heart pounded with nervous anticipation, her mind consumed by the weight of the news she carried within her.

She had spent countless sleepless nights grappling with the revelation that she was carrying Duke Daniel Hawthorne's child, and now, finally, she had gathered the courage to tell him the truth.

With each echoing footstep, Eleanor's resolve hardened, her determination driving her forward despite the trepidation that gnawed at her insides. She clutched the delicate lace handkerchief in her hand, her fingers tracing the intricate embroidery as if seeking solace in its familiar touch.

As she reached the grand entrance of the manor, Eleanor paused, her breath catching in her throat as she prepared to face the formidable Dowager Duchess once more. She squared her shoulders, steeling herself for the confrontation to come, and raised her hand to knock on the ornate wooden door.

But before she could make contact, the door swung open with a resounding creak, revealing the imposing figure of the Dowager Duchess standing before her, her expression cold and forbidding.

"Lady Eleanor," the Dowager Duchess greeted her, her voice laced with thinly veiled disdain. "To what do we owe this unexpected visit?"

Eleanor's heart sank at the sight of the older woman, knowing all too well the disapproval that lurked behind those steely eyes. "I...I need to speak with Daniel," she replied, her voice trembling slightly despite her best efforts to remain composed.

The Dowager Duchess's lips curled into a disdainful sneer. "I'm afraid that won't be possible," she said icily. "My son has no desire to see you, Lady Eleanor. I suggest you leave this place at once and spare us both any further embarrassment."

Eleanor's heart pounded with frustration and despair, knowing that she could not leave without delivering the news that weighed so heavily upon her soul. "Please," she pleaded, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's important. I need to speak with him."

But the Dowager Duchess remained unmoved, her expression as cold and unyielding as stone. "I have made myself clear, Lady Eleanor," she said, her voice dripping with disdain. "Now leave, before I am forced to call for the servants to remove you."

With a heavy heart, Eleanor realized that she had no choice but to comply. With one last longing glance at the imposing manor behind her, she turned and walked away, her footsteps heavy with the weight of the truth she carried. And as she disappeared into the gathering shadows, she knew that she would not rest until she found a way to deliver her message to Daniel, no matter the obstacles that lay in her path.