Responses
I don't read the novel, but probably some evil scheming that'll acknowledge her baby as the true heir of the dukedom? If the lawful wife is abandoned or some sort, she can make some scandal saying an "accident" happened and the child in her womb is the duke's. After all no one can prove whether it's true, especially when the duke's currently losing his human reasoning.
Whats with the pregnant maid? Please spoil me.