The Sins of Viscount Sutherland by Samantha James Page B

still warm from his body.
    Memory revived, memory of the last time he’d held an infant—
    Memory that tore his heart asunder.

Chapter Ten
    I t was dawn when another coach approached. Gray waved it down. They were all exhausted, but by mid-afternoon Penelope held her new daughter in her arms as their rescuer’s coach stopped in front of her town house. The babe was very tiny, but very perfect. She slept in her mother’s arms until they reached London.
    At the Grove town house, Gray gently picked up Penelope and the baby and lifted them from the carriage. Just as they reached the top step, the front door was flung wide.
    It appeared the arrival of mother and daughter would not be the only excitement.
    Penelope cried out. “Theo! Oh, Theo!”
    Theodore Grove rushed to clasp his wife and daughter into his embrace.
    “My darling! I was just about to set out to the Northrups to fetch you.”
    Penelope clung to his neck. “How can this be?” she said over and over. “I thought you were dead. Your lieutenant said they couldn’t find your—your body.”
    Theo shook his head. He walked with a cane, but it appeared he’d suffered no other injuries.
    “A mistake,” he said. “A farmer took me into his home, where I stayed until I was able to travel.”
    Tears stood out in his eyes. Both mother and baby were clasped tight in his arms. “Oh, you’re here, my love. You’re here.” He gave a husky laugh. “I can’t believe I have you in my arms once again.”
    Penelope wore a beatific smile. “My love, meet your daughter.”
    Theo pressed his lips to his wife’s lips, then the babe’s fuzzy red cap. He was too choked up to speak.
    “She’s beautiful,” he said at last. “As beautiful as her mother.”
    Watching the tender scene, Claire felt a hot ache fill her throat. A pang of envy bit deep. She couldn’t withhold it. It merely brought home the truth—
    And her heart cried out in bitter loss.
    She would never experience such love as existed between Penelope and Theo—and their little one. Never in this world.
    Somehow they were all swept inside, husband, wife, and child. And she and Gray were swept along, too.
    Theo spoke to the servants, who hurried to do his bidding. While a bath was prepared for mother and child, they were safely ensconced on a chaise downstairs. Theo turned and wrapped Claire in a giant embrace.
    “Claire, my wife’s greatest friend. If anyone would protect my heart’s desire, it would be you. I thank you from the depths of my heart.”
    The viscount had held back, but Theo turned to him and extended a hand.
    “Theo,” Claire hastened to say, “this is Viscount Sutherland. If he had not happened upon our coach, I don’t know what we would have done.”
    “My lord, I have no words to thank you.” Theo’s grip was firm as they shook hands.
    If Gray looked a bit uncomfortable, Claire was too tired to notice. When Penelope and the baby were ushered upstairs, it was Gray who escorted her home. Gray, on whose arm she leaned as they climbed the stairs to her town house. She sighed once they were inside. She hadn’t planned to be home until several days later, so Rosalie was gone. Her maid had asked permission to visit her sister in Kent. The girl wouldn’t be back for several days yet.
    Claire draped her shawl over a chair, fatigued almost beyond measure.
    Gray’s eyes fixed on her face. “Would you like tea?” he asked.
    “Yes, that sounds wonderful. Here, let me—”
    He caught her elbow and tugged her around.
    “Sit,” he commanded. “I’ll fetch it for you.”
    “You, sir?”
    A devilish smile crept along his lips. “My domestic abilities might amaze you, Mrs. Westfield.”
    Claire rolled her eyes heavenward.
    Gray was surprised to find his lips curved up in a smile.
    It wasn’t long before he returned from the kitchen. He carried a tray with two daintily flowered cups and matching teapot. He slid it onto a mahogany side table near the divan and straightened.
    Claire