A Mother's Secret by Dilly Court

the morning parlour as we speak.’
    Concern for the boy brought Belinda to her feet. ‘You haven’t left him there all on his own, have you, Geoffrey? Is he all right? Has he eaten?’
    He shook his head. ‘I didn’t ask.’
    Belinda signalled to Mahdu. ‘Go and see if Master Oliver wants for anything, please. Tell him I’ll be down as soon as I’ve dressed.’
    ‘Yes, my lady.’
    Mahdu hurried from the room, leaving husband and wife facing each other. Sir Geoffrey glanced down at Belinda’s breasts which were revealed as her peignoir had slipped from her shoulders, and he averted his eyes, a faint flush colouring his pale cheeks. ‘Thank you, my dear. I’m afraid I’m not good at these things. I have a meeting with the Secretary of State in half an hour and I mustn’t be late.’
    Belinda clutched the soft folds of silk and Brussels lace to cover her exposed flesh. ‘I understand. Don’t worry about Oliver, I’ll look after him.’
    ‘Don’t spoil the boy, Belinda. I’ll have stern words to say to him on my return.’ Sir Geoffrey made to leave the room but hesitated, glancing back at her over his shoulder. ‘I’ll send your maid to help you get dressed. You’ll embarrass the boy if sees you en déshabillé.’ He stalked from the room clearing his throat as if he had just said something shocking.
    Belinda’s former languor was forgotten in her concern for young Oliver. Slipping off her peignoir she went over to her bed where Mahdu had laid out her afternoon gown. The dove-grey silk floated about her in a swirling mass, but as she attempted to fasten the tiny mother-of-pearl buttons at the back she found herself struggling. It was a relief when Mahdu returned to help her.
    ‘You should have waited,’ Mahdu scolded. ‘I came as quickly as I could.’
    Ignoring the implication that she was as helpless as a baby, Belinda was more concerned with Oliver than for herself. ‘How is the boy? Is he very upset?’
    Mahdu shook her head. ‘He’s full of bravado, but I think he’s a little scared of his father.’
    ‘I must see him right away.’ Belinda fidgeted and received a sharp reprimand from Mahdu, but eventually she was ready to go downstairs to the morning parlour, and as she entered the room Oliver Davenport sprang to his feet. His anxious expression melted into a wide grin when he saw her.
    ‘Have you come to nag me, Stepmother?’
    Belinda held out her arms. ‘Are you too big to give me a hug, Ollie?’
    ‘Never. At least I don’t mind in private. If the chaps at school could see me they’d think I’d gone soft in the head.’ He crossed the floor to wrap his arms around her, lifting her off the ground in the process. She realised with a pang of regret that the little boy she had come to love was almost grown to manhood and would soon set female hearts aflutter. He was now tall and slim, and the once pretty child was maturing into a handsome young man who would no longer need his stepmother to comfort and cosset him.
    ‘Put me down,’ she said, chuckling. ‘I want an explanation from you, my boy. What have you done this time?’
    Oliver set her back on her feet. He ran his hand through his already tousled fair hair causing it to stand on end, and the contrite look on his face made him look young and vulnerable. ‘Got drunk with the fellows and had a bout of fisticuffs with some of the local chaps. It was all good-natured at the start, but it got a bit out of hand and I knocked a bobby’s helmet off. It didn’t go down too well, I’m afraid.’
    Belinda’s lips twitched. ‘You naughty boy. I don’t know what your papa will say.’
    ‘I do. He’ll probably give me a good wigging and bundle me off into the army or worse.’
    ‘He’ll be angry, of course, but he wouldn’t do that.’
    Oliver’s air of insouciance vanished and his face crumpled. ‘He hates me, Belle.’
    Shocked and alarmed by his obvious sincerity, Belinda laid her hand on his arm. ‘No, Ollie. Of course he