The Duke's Ugly Duckling: Regency Romance (Regency Fairytale Romance Book 2)
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I wish you God speed in your recovery and also on your journey homewards.
I remain your humble servant,
Florence Knightley.”
Gregory was quite surprised when he returned a few minutes later and was told to pack their bags because they were going back home. “A very delicate matter awaits me, and I must go back home today, without any delay.”
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Safe Haven
Florence was sweating and moaning with pain, twisting from side to side. Miss Rhoda, who was now Mrs. Knightley was there with her charge and stepdaughter, holding her hands, wiping her brow and rubbing her back when she was required to do so.
“Nobody told me it would be this painful,” Florence hissed as another contraction overtook her. She knew that her father had travelled with Miss Rhoda and she was glad of his presence, even though she hadn’t seen him.
Her one prayer was that she would be put to bed before her husband got here, so that she could travel back to Dover with her parents. It would be easier that way, and she could bring her child up in the same house where she was brought up, but without the secrecy and isolation. She would let everyone see her child just the way he or she was, and with time maybe surgeons could repair whatever defect the child was born with.
The midwife kept nodding and encouraging her to be strong for she was going to bring forth a strong and very healthy child.
She heard the wheels of a carriage out in the courtyard and thought her father was probably leaving to go somewhere. She wouldn’t blame him, for her screams must be quite disturbing to him, probably reminding him of when she was born.
There was some slight commotion at the door before it was pushed open and Albert walked in. He immediately bent down and kissed her brow. “Your father is pacing outside, and the midwife allowed me only a few minutes to just make sure that you’re alright.”
“You came,” Florence smiled through her pain and then gave another long moan. Rhoda and the midwife hustled Albert out of the room because it was nearly time.
Florence felt the relief of having laboured long and hard, and when she heard her child cry, she slumped back against the pillows and closed her eyes tiredly. She must have dozed off for a while, because the next thing she knew, Albert was seated on the bed. She hadn’t realized when the midwife and Rhoda cleaned her up and changed the linens so that she now slept in a very clean and fresh bed.
“I am glad that you are alright,” he smiled gently at her.
“The baby?” Florence was afraid of asking. She saw the smile wiped off her husband’s face and knew that the worst had happened. But she wanted to hear him say it. “What about the baby?”
“Flo,” he shook his head. “What are you going to do?”
“Why?”
“Our baby was born deformed, with a harelip.”
Florence closed her eyes briefly, then opened them and let the tears roll down her face freely. “I want to see my baby. Is it a boy or a girl?”
“A boy.”
“Please, may I hold him close to my bosom? I want him to know that he is loved, no matter how he looks. I will never reject him like my mother did me. I will love him forever and keep him safe like Papa kept me safe. It’s a good thing Papa and Miss Rhoda are here, for now if you want us both gone then we will disappear and never put you to shame.”
Albert’s heart almost burst when he heard his wife’s words. He had his answer and the love welled up within him. This was a most noble woman and he loved her so much. He would do anything and everything to make sure that her life was happy always. He turned around and nodded to someone.
Florence struggled to sit up, wincing at the pain, even as Albert arranged the pillows behind her so she was comfortable. Her hands reached out for the child in the midwife’s hands. Albert helped her and placed the child on her chest. She pushed the soft shawl out of the way and gave a cry of surprise. Her son was perfect, no defect on his face and she looked at her husband.
“I wanted to see what kind of a woman I had married. Forgive me for deceiving you, my darling, but we have a perfect son, you can count his fingers and toes, everything is just perfect.”
“Thank You, Lord,” she whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks. She couldn’t stop touching her son’s face. He opened his mouth in response to her touch.
“Our little master is hungry,” Albert whispered reverently.
Florence nursed her son, unable to believe that she had brought forth a perfect child. “He looks just like you,” she smiled up at her husband.
“I’m so proud of you, Florence, and I love you so much,” he kissed her forehead as he said this and she was glad she was sitting down, or else she would have fallen because of the shock.
“You love me?” How was it possible? It was the last thing she was expecting her husband to ever say, she didn’t expect it at all and stared at him in disbelief.
“Yes, my darling. I love you, Florence, and I pray that you also love me, for my love was incomplete until you came. Now I feel complete.” He raised his right hand. “See, your prayers were with me and the Lord answered them.”
“Your hand, it looks well.”
“Yes, it is eighty percent healed, and the other twenty percent will come as I exercise it. But now I am fine, no more pain and it has jointed properly.”
“Oh Albert, I’m so happy.”
“And I have a surprise for you when you’re better.”
Her father wept with joy when his grandson was presented to him. He didn’t want to put the baby down, but knew that he had to. And he held his daughter’s hands for a long time, too emotional to say anything and Florence understood and just held on to him.
“Are you ready now?” Albert was smiling as he held a mirror behind his back, in his right hand that had continued to heal wonderfully. “Are you sure you’re ready for the bandages to come off?”
“Now is as good a time as any,” Florence said. “Edward must be kicking a fuss at being separated from his feeder for so long.”
“Well then, here goes,” Albert took off the bandages from his wife’s face slowly and gently. When she was finally free of them he stood and looked down at her and she looked back anxiously.
“Well?” She demanded. His response was to hand her the mirror and she stared and stared at her reflection. Nearly perfect but for a very small scar which Dr. Sanjay had told her would eventually fade with time.
Albert had brought in two doctors from India to perform corrective surgery on her lips and her father had insisted on helping with the bill. The operation had taken almost six hours, and he had assisted in it. Now the results were there for all to see, his beautiful wife.
“Is this really me?” Florence touched her upper lip, not believing the difference in her features. She almost looked like her mother, but she had her father’s strong chin. “Am I really the one?”
“Yes, my darling. Now you need to rest before everyone descends on you. They are all waiting for word of the success of your surgery. I asked them to give you two hours and then you will be ready for them.”
“Thank you so much, Albert.” She smiled at him. “And I love you so much.”
He swooped and pulled her into his arms, holding her tight, for those were the words he had longed to hear her say. And he knew that she meant them.
“Nanny was right all along. God never makes mistakes, and everything He does is for a purpose. The disfigurement I had made me find a wonderful man to marry, and I am so happy.”
Stewart Knightley made it a habit to go to church three times a week, to give thanks for his daughter. She was healed not only in body, but her soul was finally at peace. She had told him that she forgave her mother for rejecting her. Albert was also healed not only physically, but the depression that had hung over him was dispelled by the love of his wife.
There was never a happier grandfather to be found than Stewart, and he was granted a long life so that he saw his great grandchildren, all of them born healthy and
perfect, with no defects at all.
:)
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Want More Regency Fairytale Romance?
If you enjoyed this book I am sure you will enjoy my other Regency Fairytale, The Beastly Duke & The Winsome Bride.
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