"But Byron—"
"Yes, I know, they are already heartbroken, so how can I even suggest we add to their burden with the truth about the child? Look at it this way, they could not feel any worse, so there's no reason to delay revealing what we must. My sister died giving birth to an Indian's bastard. If that destroys anyone's love or respect for her, then so be it. As for the babe, I'm going to send for Hunter. If there's anything left of him after Ian and I get through with him, then he can take his son and go."
Alanna wrapped her arms more tightly around the tiny babe. "No! You'll not give Melissa's son to Indians to raise. How could you even make such a vile suggestion?"
"After what happened to your family, how can you want to raise an Indian's brat?"
"He's Melissa's child," Alanna repeated.
"A moment ago you were insisting that legally he's Ian's son. I think you're right. As Melissa's husband, the boy is his." Byron paused a long moment. "But Ian's so sick with grief, I'm not certain he'll even understand what we're saying when we try to tell him. It would be better for all concerned if we let everyone think Christian had died. There are childless couples who would adopt him. Perhaps Dr. Earle knows of a good family."
"Now who's sanctioning lies? How can you want to give away Melissa's son? I know she would have willingly raised yours."
"My son would have been white."
Alanna felt sick. "I won't let you give Christian away. I never intended to hide the truth from Ian indefinitely. He loved Melissa. He may find it in his heart to raise her son as though he were also his."
"I think he'd sooner kill himself."
"Then you can't tell him the truth tonight! One tragedy is more than enough for our family to bear."
"What do you call that brat in your arms, if he isn't an even greater tragedy than losing Melissa?"
Recoiling from his malicious tone, Alanna looked down at Christian, but she saw another baby boy with the same name and choked on her tears. "You didn't see what the Abenaki did to my baby brother, Byron. You didn't see how they killed him, or the others."
"Oh God, Alanna." Byron had never heard the manner of their deaths described, but he had been twelve years old when she had come to live with them, and his imagination had painted the horror she had witnessed in sickening detail. He slid off the bed and knelt beside the rocking chair. Alanna had seemed the strongest of them all since Melissa's death, but he now understood her love for the infant had inspired the bravery he had admired.
"That's not your little brother, Alanna. He's Ian's responsibility, or if he refuses him, Hunter's. He doesn't belong to you."
Alanna understood Byron's reasoning, but it didn't matter to her. She might not have given birth to Christian, but she loved him as a mother would. He was sound asleep, and she didn't object when Byron picked him up gently and placed him in the crib. He then gave her a hand and pulled her to her feet.
"Let's just go home. Neither of us feels up to handling this disgrace today. What we need is something to eat, and a good night's sleep. You and Elliott and I can decide which course to follow in the morning."
Alanna nodded, and Byron slipped his arm around her waist and led her into the front room. Charity had been seated, but she rose and hastily straightened the folds of her apron. She was attractive, but her mouth was set in a firm line that readily conveyed her lingering displeasure. Byron had to admire her pride, when her circumstances were obviously humble.
"I'm sorry if I seemed rude, Mrs. Wade, but burying my sister was the most difficult thing I've ever had to do. Thank you for all you're doing for her son. If you need anything, for yourself, or your own children as well as Christian, be sure to let us know."
Surprised by that burst of generosity, Charity thanked him and hurried to fetch Alanna's cloak and helped her on with it. "Be careful on your way home. A wet road is a treacherous one."
"We're always careful," Alanna replied absently, but truly, the dangers of a slippery roadway were infinitesimal compared to the impossible situation in which Melissa had left them.
When they reached the carriage, Graham swung open the door. Alanna entered on her own, but Byron didn't want her to be alone with the English officer. "If you've no objection, I'll tie my horse to the back of the carriage and come with you," he said.
Knowing he had wasted his opportunity to impress Alanna on the way into town, Graham welcomed his company. "Please do," he replied, but he found the journey back to the plantation with two silent companions an equally difficult trip.
* * *
Hoping to avoid being overheard, Byron, Elliott, and Alanna met after breakfast the next morning in Byron's room. As the eldest, Byron considered it his duty to take charge of matters. "I won't pretend that I'm not disappointed in Melissa, because I am. She wasn't raised to behave in such an immoral manner, and her shame will undoubtedly taint the whole family. The question is how to minimize that damage."
"I disagree," Alanna was quick to interject. "The only question worth asking is what is to become of Christian?"
"Just hear me out," Byron asked. "I don't have the slightest doubt that Melissa loved Ian. Do either of you?"
"No," both Elliott and Alanna agreed.
"Fine, then what we've got to do is convince Ian to raise Melissa's son as his own. Perhaps he has relatives in England to whom he can send the child. Having never seen Melissa, they'll believe whatever they're told, and assume Christian resembles his mother."
"He does!"