The Countess nodded.
“Yes,” she said as she lay back on the pillows and closed her eyes. “Read to me.”
Ruby was half-way through the chapter and the characters had just declared their love, when the Lady jumped.
“Oh,” she said. “Miss Barnet, come. Feel this.”
The Countess grabbed Ruby’s hand and put it on her belly. The child kicked strongly against her palm.
“He is healthy,” Ruby said with a smile.
“He or she,” The Countess corrected. The two women were sitting on the Countess’ bed grinning at each other when the Earl tapped on the door and peeked in.
Ruby had not seen him since that fateful day in the library, when he had asked her to wrap the book and send it to the solicitor. He had lost weight. He looked like death, and he leaned heavily on his cane. They stared at one another for a moment and then she remembered her manners and quickly stood. She dipped into a curtsey. “Milord,” she said. “By your leave, Milady,” she said, thinking that she should leave, but the Earl stopped her.
“No,” he said. “Stay.”
“Milord?”
Lord Bain walked heavily into the room, leaning on his cane.
“My younger brother arrived last evening,” he said. “He says he has come to help me, since my health is poor, but he has come for the book. The butler tells me that he searched my office and the library already this morning before leaving to go into the village.”
“Sir?” Ruby questioned, uncertain what the Earl wished her to do.
“Just remember your promise,” he said, leaning heavily on his cane.
“I do, Milord” she said, but she was glad that the book was safely with the solicitor.
“And avoid my brother if you can,” he said. “He is dangerous.”
Ruby nodded.
“That will be all,” the Earl said.
Chapter Seven
After Miss Barnet had left, Bain sat for a few moments with his wife, holding her hands in his. His cane leaned against the chair, within reach. He knew that visiting his wife, when she was so near to her time was not seemly, but he did not care. He did not think he had much time left with her, and he did not want to waste a moment.
“When the book is burned, you will be free; you and our child,” he said. “I am sure of it.”
“I feel so guilty,” Caroline said, stroking his gaunt jaw. “My health is your decline.”
Bain shook his head.
“Never doubt that this is the way it must be. You are innocent. I am not.” She opened her mouth to protest, but he continued. “Certainly, the child that you carry is an innocent.”
Caroline could not argue that point.
“It hurts me to see you suffer,” she said, still stroking his cheek. It was rough with stubble. He had not the energy to shave. She leaned in to kiss him. “I love you so. I thought that it would be enough to save you. Love is supposed to be enough.”
Her voice was fraught with anger and frustration.
“It is,” he said. “Do you not see; I am already saved?” He could smell the scent of the perfumed powder that she used. He did not want to have this conversation. He just wanted to hold her. He caught her hand and pressed it to his lips. “You should get some rest.”
“Oh, I have rested enough. All that I do is rest. I am anxious to be up and about again.”
“No,” Bain said, clutching her hand.
She sighed.
“What happened last time you were up?” he asked. “And what does the midwife advise?”
She scowled at him but nodded her agreement.
“I know,” she said. “I shall stay in bed as much as I am able. I would not risk the child, not when you have suffered so much for us.”
“It cannot be long now,” he said patting her hand.
“I just feel so enormous,” She groaned and stretched. “Oh,” Caroline exclaimed excitedly as the child kicked. “Our baby is strong!” She pulled his hand over, to feel the child move, but once again, he was too late, and the babe was still.
“Our son,” he corrected, still gently rubbing her abdomen.
“How are you so sure the child is a boy,” Caroline said. “It could be a girl.”
He shook his head.
“I must believe that I will have a son and heir,” he said. “Name him Benedict for my father and Edward for my brother.”
Caroline did not contradict her husband, but only laid her hand on his. Both of them knew that he was not well enough to sire another child, and time was quickly running out.
“You are shivering,” she said, lifting the blankets and shifting over. “You will catch your death.” She bit her lip, and he could see she regretted the choice of words.
Bain smiled a sad smile at her.
“It hardly matters,” he said, but he climbed into the warmth of her bed nonetheless and settled, lying on his side, facing her, his hand on her middle, but the child was still.
“When I think of raising the child alone it frightens me,” Caroline said, her eyes on the ceiling. “A son needs his father.” Her voice caught and he ached for her.
“I would not have you alone, Caroline. Find someone kind who loves you; who can be fair and gentle with our son. There is someone like that. There is good in this world.”
“Not for me.” she countered, tears brimming in her eyes. One rolled down her cheek, past her ear. He brushed it away. “I have already found my one true love,” she said. “I won’t find another.”
“Who says there is but one love?” he contradicted, turning her towards him and wiping another tear with his thumb.
“Please do not.” Caroline said. “I cannot speak of this.”
She turned away, but he pulled her close again, nuzzling her neck. He was so cold, and she was warm. He wanted to capture this moment and hold it forever.
“I will not have this conversation,” she said. “I cannot. It is impossible that a book should have such control over our lives. It is only a book.”
“It is not the book itself,” he replied. “It is who the book belongs to and what it represents.”
The conversation ended once again in tears and Bain felt so helpless. He could do nothing but hold her, knowing that he would not be here for her, when the time to face the obstacles came.
“You are strong,” he said. “You can do this. If not for me, for our son.” He stilled. The conversation had taken the strength out of him.
“Will you read to me?” he asked at last, and she knew without his telling her, what book he wanted her to read.
“Psalms?” she asked and he nodded, settling her close, laying his hand back on her abdomen.
She began reading the twenty-third psalm. ‘The Lord is my Shepherd…I shall not want…’ and Bain closed his eyes.
Caroline had read through several of his favourites, when the baby kicked again.
“There!” she said. “Did you feel that?” He had to feel that. His hand was still on her.
“Gerard? Did you feel it?” Caroline asked again, and then she caught her breath; finally realizing how awfully still he was beside her, feeling the coolness of his hand, which was no longer warmed by the blankets. She turned and shook him, calling his name, but she already knew he would not answer. “Gerard!”
There was only silence.
Caroline held him for one more private moment, although he was no longer with her. She cried against his shoulder until the tears would come no more, and then she read the twenty-third psalm again, gathering strength from the Good Book. Finally, she wrote the note to the solicitor. She did not feel she was ready, but she pulled the bell anyway. So it begins, she thought.
~~~~~
Ruby came to her mistress’ summons and discovered the Countess sitting up in bed holding her dead husband in her lap. The Earl’s lips had a slight smile, as if at the end, he was at peace.
“The letter on the bureau is for the solicitor,” the Countess said, with perfect poise. Her eyes were r
ed, and Ruby could tell that she had been crying, but she had collected herself now. “Please find someone trustworthy to post it.”
Ruby’s eyes went to the dead man in the bed.
This meant that if the Countess had a son, the infant was the Earl, but Lord Bain’s brother was here. She did not know what that meant. She only knew that she must find the book and burn it. Quickly; but it was still at the solicitor’s office.
“I can post it myself,” Ruby offered.
“No,” the Countess said. “I would prefer you send a man. I’m afraid that my Lord’s brother will soon know that the Earl is gone.”
“Right away,” Ruby said.
“And when you come back, I want you to help me to dress.”
Ruby nodded and hurried away with the letter. She thought she would have trusted it to Putnam, but he was not here. She wanted to post it herself, but decided when she saw the footman taking the post, that anonymity was the best answer.
She sent the letter with the rest of the post. She went back to the Countess who was still sitting quietly reading her bible.
“Are you sure you are alright?” Ruby asked.
“I will be,” the Countess said. She gave Ruby a thin smile, and Ruby did her best to make The Countess look regal, but her thoughts were racing as she helped the Lady to dress. Even though everyone in the house knew that The Countess was with child, it was considered ill-mannered for her to be seen in such a state. Ruby tried to dress her to hide her enormous size. Though there really was no way to hide it completely, but Ruby did her best, adding a loose coat over the Lady’s dress. When would they announce that the Earl was dead? Ruby wondered. What would his brother do? The Countess was due to have the baby at any time. If the child was a son, would the babe’s uncle be a help to the Countess? Ruby did not think so.
The Countess went down to the parlour and called the staff together. She announced that the Earl was dead. Ruby could nearly feel the malice flowing from Lord Bain’s brother as he looked at the Countess, so late in her pregnancy. Ruby feared for the Countess and the child. She found herself watching the gate to see if the solicitor would bring the book, but darkness fell and he did not come.
Ruby finally went to bed, but she did not sleep. She rose early and decided to go to the kitchen for a cup of tea before beginning the day. The manor was in an uproar. Already relatives were starting to arrive.
Chapter Eight
A plethora of relatives had descended upon Hobson’s Reach, attempting to divide up the spoils like well-dressed vultures. The worst of them, was the Earl’s own brother, the younger Mister Hobson. The solicitor had come late last night, or early this morning. Ruby did not know which. He was currently arguing with Mister Hobson. The Countess was also in the morning room, and the entirety of the staff was listening with unabashed curiosity, Ruby more than most.
“You would think,” Missus McTavish said, “What with all the property, he would not be so concerned about a single book.”
“A book?” Ruby said.
“Yes. They had words over the dispensation of a book,” added one of the new footmen. “The Lady says that the book belongs to you according to her husband’s will, and the solicitor agrees. The Earl’s brother does not.”
“To Ruby?” said one of the housemaids. “How extraordinary.”
“No wonder she didn’t go off with Mister Putnam,” another said slyly.
“Were you thinking you would have something better?” asked another of the maids.
Ruby blushed and brushed wisps of hair from her face, but did not answer. It was hot in the kitchen with the fires going, and so many people gathered.
“Get on with you,” Missus McTavish said. “No matter who gets what, we all will be getting breakfast ready for the family, and now with the cousins coming in, there is much to do. Food to cook. Beds to change. Rooms to air. Miss Barnet, if I were you I would march up there and put an end to the discourse. Tell, His Lordship’s brother that you release all claim the book. It would be the right thing to do, considering the circumstances. It is not right to argue in a house that is in mourning.”
“I will not,” Ruby said.
I’m not the one arguing, she thought. Meanwhile she wondered how she could get her hands on the book and get it into a fire.
“You always were the stubborn one,” Missus McTavish said.
Some of the staff began to disperse, and Ruby saw him.
“Putnam!” she said.
She wanted to ask what he was doing here, but he just caught her hand and pulled her into the pantry.
“Putnam, what are you doing?” she asked. Too many people were in the kitchen for their disappearance to be unnoticed. “Someone will see. I shall be dismissed.”
“That is the least of your worries,” Putnam said. “Mister Hobson seems to think you will do him some ill. He came to the solicitor’s this morning and just missed the man. He put up a big fuss about you making some harm come to his brother, and perhaps to him. I don’t trust the man.”
“Neither do I,” Ruby said.
“Leave with me,” Putnam said. “Just give McTavish your notice and leave with me.”
“I can’t do that. There is a funeral to plan, and I no longer answer to Missus McTavish. I answer to the Countess. She just lost her husband, Putnam. I am not leaving her now. I must have some loyalty to the countess, especially with the Earl’s brother…”
Just then, someone opened the pantry door, and gave a little squeak to find the space occupied.
“What?” Putnam snapped.
“Potatoes?” said the kitchen maid, and Putnam picked up a sack, shoved it into the girl’s hands and slammed the door shut in her face.
If Ruby hadn’t been so rattled by the entire day, it would have been funny.
“There is no need for you to get involved with the gentry,” Putnam insisted. “I’ve heard awful things about the Earl’s brother. The whole family. Did you know his father and eldest brother were killed…?”
The next person to open the pantry door was Missus McTavish. She frowned at them.
“If you think to get your old job back, Mister Putnam. This is not the way to go about it,” she said sharply.
“I don’t want my job back,” Putnam said haughtily. “As a matter of fact, I am trying to convince Miss Barnet to leave hers.”
“Come back tomorrow,” McTavish said. “The girl always had a sweet spot for you, Putnam. If you give her a day to think on it, she may say yes. But today, if you are staying, we need a big sack of potatoes, not that little peck. Make yourself useful and carry one out for us.”
“I don’t work here,” Putnam protested.
McTavish put her hands on her hips.
“Then you may leave.”
Putnam looked for a long moment at Ruby. She knew he had more to say, but instead he hefted the sack of potatoes.
“Where do you want this?” he asked Missus McTavish.
“On the kitchen side board,” Missus McTavish said. “And you, Miss Barnet…” She pursed her lips. As a lady’s maid, Ruby was no longer directly under Missus McTavish, and instead answered only to the Lady, but Ruby knew when not to make waves.
“I have work to do,” Ruby said.
“I suppose you do,” Missus McTavish said.
Chapter Nine
The argument in the morning room had ended, and Ruby tried to figure out what she should do. She knew she must burn the book, but she did not know where it was, and even if she did, what was she supposed to do, steal it? It was meant to have been given to her, but that did not seem likely to happen with the Earl’s brother in attendance.
Ruby had wandered back to the kitchen while the family had tea. She had not been able to speak to the Countess all day, but the woman looked exhausted, when Ruby had served the tea, her face was strained with grief and pain. Could her brother-in-law not see how he was distressing her? A better man would have left the Lady alone to grieve her husband. A lesser woman would have retreated to
her room. Ruby had to find a way to help her.
Putnam touched her arm.
“May we talk?”
She nodded. They stepped out the kitchen door into the spice garden.
“This was the secret,” Putnam said. “The secret you could not share.”
“Yes,” Ruby said relieved. “I wanted to tell you. I did. But the Earl swore me to secrecy. No one was supposed to know about the book until after his death. It is an evil thing, Putnam.”
“I want you safe away from here,” he said.
“I can’t leave yet. I have to burn the book,” Ruby said.
“Someone else can burn it.”
“No. They cannot. I promised I would do it and I shall.” Ruby put a hand on his arm. “Putnam, it is an evil thing. I cannot just stand by.”
“Well,” Putnam said with a sigh. “My grandpap Burke always said, “All that is necessary for evil to flourish if for good men to do nothing. I suppose that is true of women too. What can I do to help?”
One of the kitchen maids stuck her head out the door.
“Miss Barnet,” she said. “Her Ladyship is asking for you.”
“I have to go,” Ruby said. She started for the door, and Putnam followed her. She expected to find the Countess in her room and needing help in undressing, but instead, the Lady had come into the kitchens, causing quite a stir. She was carrying a bag which appeared to be heavy. She sat it on the floor.
“Milady,” Ruby curtseyed, as the rest of the staff jumped all to their feet or stopped their work to face the Countess.
The Countess paused a moment leaning against the table. Her hand went to her abdomen, and she grimaced, waiting a moment before she lifted her chin and swept further into the room causing the staff to feel ill-at-ease. Her words were only for Ruby.
“My late husband wished you to have this book, she said. “And I intend to fulfil his wishes.” She carried the cloth bag, not just containing the book in question, but filled with a variety of books, novels and poetry. “He believed this book was the reason his first wife died and the second. He believed it was the reason he had no heir. It was his last wish, that you should have the book, and see it destroyed. I swore I would see it done, so I have brought it to you.” She pressed the bag into Ruby’s hands and took a moment to catch her breath. “You must hurry though,” she said. “My brother-in-law does not agree with my decision. Take it and go.” She looked over Ruby’s shoulder at Putnam and smiled as she recognized him. “See her safe,” she said. “Go!”
Love in the Moonlight: A Regency Romance All Hallows' Eve Collection: 7 Delightful Regency Romance All Hallows' Eve Stories (Regency Collections Book 6) Page 25
