'Are you saying I can have my baby with me down here? Can I also select those who will have charge of the infant in my absence?'
He frowned. 'Did I not just say exactly that?'
'You did, but a while ago you said it would be your prerogative to select the nursery staff. I was just checking you had changed your mind.'
'Damn it, Isobel, must you keep throwing my idiocies back to me? I thought this was to be a new beginning, the past put behind us? How can we move on if you're constantly reminding me of my past failings?'
Flustered by his unexpected irritation she stepped back treading on the hem of her skirt. She lost her balance and even his lightning reactions were not quick enough to save her from a crashing fall. The air was knocked from her lungs and for a moment she gasped for breath like a fish landed on the riverbank.
'My God, let me get you upright— it will help you regain your breath.' He snapped his fingers and Ellie appeared, her eyes round with horror. 'Downstairs. Go at once and have Watkins send for the physician.'
Slowly the band of pain around her chest eased, her breath rasped in her lungs and then she was breathing normally once more. 'That was a stupid thing to do. I've almost fallen several times doing the same thing.' Experimentally she sat up, away from the comfort of his support. 'I believe, with your assistance, I can regain my feet. This tumble was not your fault, Alexander. I've been increasing long enough to remember I can't move with the alacrity I used to.'
'Here, slip your arm around my neck and I shall carry you to your chamber. I think it would be wise to rest until the doctor can examine you. You fell heavily; it does not do to take chances, not at this stage of the pregnancy.'
He carried her back across the passage and into her splendid apartment. Her eyes prickled— she had ruined the day by her clumsiness. She would not argue, her back ached unpleasantly and she feared she had done herself a mischief in the fall. However, she had no intention of worrying Alexander until the physician had examined her.
Chapter Eighteen
Dr Jamieson stepped back, courteously turning away in order to allow Ellie to pull down the bed sheet. Isobel shuffled upright before attracting the venerable gentleman's attention. 'Doctor, is there any danger of my delivering prematurely?'
He smiled, his startlingly blue eyes twinkling. 'If you're asking me if the baby is going to arrive early because of your fall, then the answer is a categorical no. However, I must warn you, my lady, that you won't go full term. I suggest you have everything in place for the middle of June not the first week in July.'
This was good news indeed, the sooner she was delivered the happier she'd be. 'But the backache? I understood this could be a sign labour is imminent.'
'That is sometimes the case, but not for you. The fall has put additional strain on your back muscles; it is that you can feel. I can assure you, if you remain in your apartments for the next week, the pain will go.'
'A week? I shall go mad from the inactivity, I like to walk every day and I've yet to see all the improvements that have been made here.'
He shook his head. 'I must insist you rest. No doubt you've noticed your baby isn't moving much at the moment. The accident will have put a strain on it. I'm sure you don't wish any harm to come to your child through your inattention?'
'Of course I don't, I shall do as you suggest. Do I have to remain in bed for the whole week or can I walk about in this part of the house?'
'Remain where you are for twenty four hours. When I see you tomorrow I will give my final decision. If the baby is active again, and your back is no longer painful, then walking around these rooms will be beneficial. Remember, your grace, absolutely no stairs until I give you leave.'
Her lips twitched, perhaps now was not a good time to tell him Alexander was in the habit of carrying her from floor to floor. 'Please could you ask my husband to come through on your way out, Dr Jamieson?'
He bowed, collected his bag and moved briskly into her parlour. The sound of low male voices indicated he was being interrogated so there would be no need to repeat what she'd been told when Alexander came in to join her.
The physician gave her permission to get dressed when he called the following day and she did so forthwith. The infant was once more pummelling her stomach and from the strength of the kicks and punches she was convinced the baby would be a boy.
'Alexander, place your hand here. Did you feel that?'
'God's teeth! You have a pugilist in there, my love. If I put my ear against your bump can I hear the heartbeat?'
The idea of having his face resting so close sent a frisson of excitement along her spine. How ridiculous! She was an unnatural woman thinking of making love when she was so vastly pregnant. 'Dr Jamieson listened through a cow horn, why don't you try the same thing with a glass?'
Should she offer to pull back her skirts as she had done for the physician? Instead she pulled the muslin tight and laid-back whilst he placed the open end of the glass against her belly. He was on his knees beside her, his jacket casually discarded, his cravat untied— when he spent time with her nowadays there was no tension between them. He was as relaxed as she. The momentary irritation which had caused her to step back unwarily was forgotten. After all she could not expect him to be in perfect humour every moment of the day.
His hair was longer than previously and flopped endearingly over his collar. She barely resisted the urge to sink her fingers into it, the last thing either of them needed was excitement of that sort. Had he not said he would take care of such urges himself? A wave of bitter disappointment engulfed her. He'd told her he would not be unfaithful, but visiting a bawdy house might not be considered as infidelity by a gentleman in his position.
She pressed herself into the back of the chaise-longue and attempted to quell her dismay. He had given her his word he would not renew his liaison with his mistress. She could hardly demand to know if he slaked his physical needs with a lady of the night. All desire to touch him had gone. Now she wanted him to remove his head and leave her in peace.
He sat back, a rueful grin making him dangerously attractive. 'All I got for my effort was a bruised cheek. Do you think this baby of ours is a boy?'
Something prompted her to say the opposite of what she intended. 'I sincerely hope so. I've no wish to be obliged to produce more children in order to protect your title.'
Her words were like a slap. He was back on his feet, his expression closed— a formidable man replacing the approachable friend she'd been sharing a comfortable interlude with. There was no point in apologising, the damage was done. She'd all but destroyed the fragile affection that had been growing between them.
'I had thought your antipathy towards me was gone, Isobel. I can do no more. If you won't accept I've changed, meet me halfway in order to make this marriage work, then it will be best for both of us if I no longer spend time with you.'
Helplessly she gazed at him, willing him to understand that sometimes she spoke without thought, did not mean what she said. Pregnancy was making a veritable shrew of her. 'I enjoy your company, I shall be sad if you decide to return to Grosvenor Square after all.'
'I've no intention of returning to London, this barracks of a place is more than big enough for us to avoid contact, if that's what you wish. I must attend to estate business, Reynolds has been clamouring for an interview since yesterday.' He nodded and strode away. The bed chamber seemed unpleasantly empty without him.
Life confined to her apartment was going to be tedious without his company. These past weeks she'd come to eagerly anticipate the evenings, looking forward to the time they spent together. Now her sharp tongue had driven him away— her life would be so much simpler if she could finally learn to trust him again.
*
'What do you think, Mary? Is lemon yellow a suitable colour for the curtains and upholstery in the nursery?' Isobel viewed the samples spread out on the table in her sitting room. 'I must make a decision today as it could be as little as four weeks before I'
m delivered.'
'It's an unusual choice, my lady, but will suit either a boy or a girl. I know you have selected two girls from the staff already working here, but what about the nanny? Does his lordship have someone in mind for that position?'
'No, he is leaving all such domestic details to me. When he went to Town last week he set enquiries in motion. It would seem there's always a family who can recommend someone suitable.' She heaved herself to her feet. Her mobility was sadly restricted lately as her girth had dramatically increased. Alexander had laughingly he told her that very morning if she did not give birth soon she would pop. She had not found the comment particularly amusing.
Fortunately since her outburst a few weeks ago their relationship had drifted back to amicable. Unlike her, he did not bear a grudge. 'Mary, do you think he has changed? That he is no longer the violent and arrogant gentleman who abused me last year?'
This was a highly unsuitable topic of conversation between a member of staff and herself, but Mary was first and foremost her friend. Even Alexander appeared to have accepted the closeness of their relationship and no longer stared haughtily down his nose when he came in and found them closeted together. Possibly, the fact Mary was a far better housekeeper than ever Maynard had been did much to improve his opinion of her.
'At first I thought it was an act in order to win you over, but as the months have passed I truly believe he loves you and has made himself a better person because of it.'
'I've always loved him deep in my heart but was too scared to admit it. I must find him at once and tell him. He will be so happy.'
****
Alexander rubbed his eyes and yawned, he was finding it damned difficult to sleep. Having his chambers so far from hers meant he was constantly on the alert in case she needed him. He had got up three times last night to check everything was as it should be at the back of the house.
The list of possible candidates for the position of nanny was not over long, but the first two seemed the most likely. One had been with her previous employers for fifteen years, first as a nursery maid and then promoted to running the nursery herself. The other had been with the family for a shorter time, but had two other glowing recommendations from previous positions.
He would take the information up to Isobel directly. As Lady Everton had told him, most households would have everything in place three months before the due date and not have left it so late. A decision would have to be made today; Jamieson had told him the baby was readying itself for delivery. Isobel had yet to select the material for the curtains in the nursery.
He jumped to his feet as the familiar footsteps of his beloved approached the study. This was no longer a place where she was not welcome and she often joined him in the afternoon and sat reading with her feet up whilst he worked on his papers. Hurrying to the door he stepped out into the spacious corridor to greet her.
She smiled at him, her face illuminated by such love his chest squeezed, making breathing impossible. He couldn't speak, his heart was full, and tears filled his eyes. He opened his arms and she fell into them.
'Alexander, I had to come right away. I've just discovered I still love you, indeed that I love you more today than I ever did before.'
She was obliged to stand sideways as even his arms were not long enough to embrace her nowadays. 'My darling, you have made me the happiest of men. Come in, you know you should not have hurried all this way, you could have sent for me instead.'
'I had no wish to wait another second to tell you.' Her eyes shone, he wanted to sweep her up and make love to her despite her advanced pregnancy. 'I've finally chosen the fabric for the nursery and sent Sam to the warehouse to collect it. Fortunately Mary has a team of expert seamstresses assembled and the covers for the furniture, the curtains and everything else will be completed by the end of the week.'
'I've a list of possible candidates to take charge of the nursery. There are two that I think we should interview, but I shall leave the decision to you.'
He knelt at her side and tenderly lifted her feet before fetching her the various letters of recommendation. Perching himself on the edge of the sofa he watched her peruse the contents— he loved the way her nose crinkled when she was concentrating. Carefully he slid in behind her legs and dropped them back into his lap. As usual she was wearing no stockings and had kicked off her slippers as soon as she'd sat down.
Whilst she read he massaged her feet and ankles worried that they were more swollen than they had been yesterday. Jamieson had warned him that swelling of this sort was a sign that she needed to do less. He would insist she stayed in bed until noon and then only got up to rest on her day bed in her parlour.
'I like the sound of Nanny Cooper. Which one did you prefer?'
'She was top of my list; the woman from the Everton household was the second. Would you like me to write and offer the position to Nanny Cooper?'
'Please, it might be better to send it express. Mary thinks I should be resting more and leaving the organisation of the nursery to a nanny.'
'Exactly so. I am going to insist, sweetheart, that until the baby is born you spend most of the time with your feet up. Jamieson told me swollen ankles are not a good sign.' He braced himself for the argument but to his surprise she nodded.
'I shall do so on one condition, my love, that you move into my apartment with me.' Her eyes danced as she continued. 'I am quite certain from the size of the bed you never intended I sleep alone.'
****
His shout of laughter sent the papers flying. 'Thank the good Lord for that, I've been prowling the corridors these past nights checking you were well. If I am at your side then I shall have a decent night's sleep at last.'
'Then you had better get your man to bring your belongings down to me. There are, I could not help but notice, my dear, two quite distinct dressing rooms and enough closet space for an army to place their garments.' He tickled her feet in a bid to avoid answering that question but she was having none of it. 'You always intended to be with me, didn't you?'
His mischievous smile answered her question. 'I hoped to one-day, I never dreamt you would welcome me so soon.'
'We have been through so much these past months, but I truly believe I can finally move forward and look to the future with happiness. There's something I wished to ask you, Alexander, and now seems as good a time as any.' She needed to have his guidance on a matter she knew nothing about and could not in all conscience discuss with Mary. The only person she could talk to was her husband. Until today she had not believed the matter of any urgency.
His eyebrow quirked. 'Go on, sweetheart, what do you wish to know?'
'I've to tell you that I haven't enjoyed being pregnant, it does not seem to suit me as it does other women. If our baby is a boy …' His eyes dimmed as if a candle had been blown out inside him. Surely he did not believe she meant they were not to make love in future? 'My darling, don't look so conscious, it's because I wish to … to share myself with you as frequently as possible that I've broached this delicate subject.'
The relief on his face was comical. 'Are you asking me if I know of any ways to avoid a yearly pregnancy?'
'I am— there must be other couples who wish to be intimate but don't want an overcrowded nursery. How do they manage this situation?'
He frowned. 'I've no idea, darling girl, but I promise you I shall find out from someone I'm sure knows about these things. We have a few weeks before that particular problem presents itself.'
Satisfied she could forget about such matters until the baby was born she settled back to doze leaving him return to his desk and write the necessary letter. His pen scratching across the paper and his frequent curses and muttering made her smile. He would always be irascible, this was part of his nature, but he would never mistreat her again.
Having him sleeping peacefully beside her every night improved her own slumbers. Even when they had been first married he had never remained all night in her bed. Ellie's shock when she came in
that first morning still made them both laugh. Indeed it had been more of an adjustment for Duncan and her abigail than it had been for them.
Alexander's valet was unused to sharing bed chamber duties having taken care of his master, as was customary, in splendid isolation these past years. For a day or two she feared Duncan might hand in his notice, but things settled down. As there were two distinct dressing rooms, and separate chambers where mending and such things were done, there was no need for the two servants to meet.
The only place there could have been difficulty was over the bathing room. Mary solved this by appointing a chambermaid whose sole duty was to keep this room in pristine condition and to carry up the necessary hot water.
Alexander had been happily ensconced for a week when Nanny Cooper arrived to take up her position. Isobel liked her on sight; the woman could be no more than one and thirty and had a calm practical care about her.
'Nanny, you'll find things are done differently at Newcomb. The nursery suite is opposite the rooms my husband and I occupy. It is my intention to feed the baby myself if possible, but I expect it might be wise to have a wet nurse available just in case.'
Instead of pursing her lips the woman smiled. 'Your baby will do better being nursed by you, my lady. My previous employer, Lady Grainger, always did so. When we travelled to house parties it was always apparent the Grainger children were more robust and happy than those who had little to do with their parents.'
'I knew as soon as I saw your letter, Nanny, that we should get on splendidly. The midwife is arriving tomorrow and I shall put her in your charge. If there is anything you require for yourself, or the baby, just speak to the housekeeper, Mrs Watkins, and it will be arranged.'
Nanny Cooper curtsied. 'Thank you, my lady. I'm sure I shall be content here, for all its size, Newcomb is a happy house.'
When Alexander climbed in beside her that night she was eager to tell him how delighted she was with the new appointment. However no sooner had she settled into his arms than she felt a flood of liquid pour from her. Horrified that she'd disgraced herself she cried out in distress but he hushed her with a kiss.
The Duke's Reform Page 18
