Edward was awake in seconds. “What is it, Charlotte?” he asked sleepily.
“I feel sick. The whole room is spinning and I feel as if I’ll throw up here on the bed,” groaned Charlotte.
Edward was now wide awake. One look at Charlotte and Edward knew that she was not lying. “What did you eat last night?” asked Edward as she helped Charlotte to the bathroom.
Charlotte groaned as she threw up into the wash basin. “I feel so sick,” she whispered.
“Let me get the castle physician to have a look at you,” said Edward as he reached for the golden rope that hung beside their bed. That golden rope was connected to a bell in the castle kitchen, and Edward knew that Hannah would be in the kitchen preparing breakfast.
Within a few minutes, there was a tap on the bedroom door.
“Come in,” said Edward as Hannah walked into the bedroom, looking around anxiously.
“It is the Duchess; she has taken ill and has been sicj the whole morning. Please ask Dr. Mowbray to come up,” said Edward.
Hannah nodded and looked at Charlotte who lay sprawled on the bed.
Dr. Mowbray arrived shortly thereafter. Having examined the duchess, Dr. Mowbray smiled and nodded at Edward. “Your Grace, I am honored to be the first to congratulate Her Grace and you. Her Grace is pregnant,” said Dr. Mowbray as he smiled broadly at the Duke and Duchess.
“Are you sure?” asked Duke Edward, smiling.
“Yes, I am, Your Grace,” said Dr. Mowbray as he picked up his black leather bag and prepared to leave.
“Thank you, Dr. Mowbray,” said Edward as he turned to smile at his wife.
Charlotte was gazing out of the window and did not turn to acknowledge the good wishes of Dr. Mowbray or the smile of her husband.
After Dr. Mowbray left, Edward sat next to Charlotte and took her hand in his. “You must be very careful, my beloved,” he said. The words of love surprised him as well as Charlotte. However, the happiness within the Duke was short-lived.
“Oh, Edward, this means that I will have to stay in bed and rest for the first three months. I shall not be able to attend the Red Ball this time,” said Charlotte with a look of dismay.
Edward looked at his wife in dismay and hurt, as if he had been shot in the heart. “How can you be so selfish, Charlotte? You are to become a mother and you are worried about whether or not you will be able to attend the Red Ball,” said Edward in disgust.
“I never expected to get pregnant so soon after our marriage,” said Charlotte with a pout.
“You should be happy that you are pregnant and carrying the heir to the Cumberland title,” said Duke Edward.
“Who knows what the gender of the baby is,” said Charlotte.
“Whether it is a boy or a girl, the baby is our son or daughter. It would do you good to remember that, Charlotte,” said Edward as he walked out of the bedroom.
Edward found Hannah hovering in the corridor. “Your Grace,” said Hannah, bowing low.
“Her Grace is pregnant, Hannah,” said Edward.
However, Hannah knew from the look on her master’s face that there was something terribly wrong. “Is Her Grace alright?” asked Hannah with concern.
“She is fine, Hannah, it is just that she is not ready to have a baby right now,” said Edward.
“Not ready?” gasped Hannah.
Edward nodded. “Not ready, meaning that she will be restricted as to her escapades,” said Edward.
Hannah nodded slowly and shook her head sadly. Hannah was the housekeeper of the castle, but to Edward she was like a mother. He could tell her anything, discuss with her the most important things in his life, and he knew she would always listen.
“You have to look after Her Grace now that she is pregnant, Hannah. Don’t let her go out riding or even walk in quick step down the corridors of the castle,” said Edward.
“Yes, Your Grace, I shall take good care of Her Grace,” said Hannah as she walked toward the Duchess’s bedroom. Hannah opened the door and gasped when she saw Charlotte standing on a chair and about to jump down. “Goodness to heaven, what are you doing, Your Grace?” asked Hannah, whose voice was barely a whisper.
Charlotte spun around when she heard Hannah’s voice. “Can’t you knock before you enter?” she asked furiously.
“Your Grace, please get down from that chair,” said Hannah, holding out her hand to Charlotte.
Charlotte reluctantly took Hannah’s hand and stepped down from the chair.
“Your Grace, it is not my place to pass an opinion or to advise you, but as the housekeeper of the castle for over thirty years, I feel that I should give you some advice,” said Hannah.
Charlotte frowned as she looked at Hannah. “What advice can you give me?” asked Charlotte with a sneer.
“Your Grace, a baby is the most wonderful thing that the Lord can give us. You will see once it is born how sweet and adorable little babies are,” said Hannah with a smile.
“But I don’t want to have a baby so soon,” said Charlotte, whose voice was between a sob and a sniff.
“But the Lord has already given you the baby, and it grows in your womb now,” said Hannah with reverence to the unborn Lord or Lady.
Much to Hannah’s surprise, Charlotte began to sob. “I just can’t take it, Hannah. I just can’t,” she sobbed.
Hannah walked toward Charlotte and wrapped her arms around the Duchess. “Pardon me, Your Grace, for being so personal by embracing you, but Your Grace and His Grace feel like my very own children and I feel for both of you when you are sad. Please take care of the baby inside your womb, and if you need anything, you only have to ring for me,” said Hannah as withdrew her hands and looked at Charlotte.
Charlotte looked at Hannah through her tears and nodded. “Thank you, Hannah,” she said.
Hannah nodded and smiled. “Now Your Grace, get back to bed and no standing on chairs again,” said Hannah.
Charlotte nodded and smiled. “Hannah, please don’t tell Edward that you saw me standing on a chair,” said Charlotte.
“What chair? Were you standing on a chair?” Hannah said with a twinkle in her eye as she walked out of the bedroom.
Charlotte sighed, rubbed her stomach as she closed her eyes and pictured herself nursing and caressing her son or daughter just a few months from now.
7
CHAPTER SEVEN
FAILED PERSUASION
FAILED PERSUASION
“It isn’t what we say or think that defines us, but what we do.” ~ Jane Austen
Duchess Charlotte gazed aimlessly out of her bedroom window, the cool breeze playing on her face. She had begun to show signs of putting on weight and her stomach was quite visible now. She had blossomed and looked very pretty. Nevertheless, all this did not make Charlotte happy. She thought about the Red Ball that she had missed and anger surged through her body.
She turned when the door opened and Edward walked into the bedroom, smiling broadly at Charlotte.
“My beloved, how are you today?” asked Edward as he drew a chair and sat next to Charlotte.
“I feel so miserable, Edward. You have forbidden me to even take a walk in the garden,” said Charlotte with her usual pout.
“It is for your own good and according to the advice of Dr. Mowbray,” said Edward as he took Charlotte’s hand in his. “You have to be careful until you are five months gone,” said Edward.
“Oh dear,” sighed Charlotte.
“Darling, I am leaving for the Court of St. James and I want you to be very, very careful during my absence. No going for long walks and exerting yourself,” said Edward.
“How long will you be away?” asked Charlotte with feigned sadness.
“Two weeks. Will you miss me?” asked Edward as he looked at Charlotte tenderly.
“I shall miss you terribly,” whispered Charlotte. Secretly, Charlotte’s heart leapt with happiness when she heard that Edward would be gone for at least two weeks. Who could stop her from having a great time? �
��Are you leaving today?” asked Charlotte, her voice was barely a whisper.
“I will be leaving in one hour,” said Edward.
“Oh dear,” sighed Charlotte sadly.
“I will be back in two weeks, my darling,” said Edward as he took Charlotte in his arms and kissed her tenderly.
Charlotte reciprocated with equal passion. Charlotte sat beside her bedroom window and watched Edward leave. He turned and blew her a kiss, which she immediately returned.
Once Edward’s carriage was out of sight, Charlotte got up and twirled around the bedroom. “Oh, this is bliss, I could have a ball,” said Charlotte to herself as she clapped her hands in delight.
She stopped twirling around and her eyes grew large with anticipation. “Did I say I could have a ball?” she asked herself as she grinned.
Charlotte rang for Hannah, who appeared in no time. Hannah had been briefed by Edward to take extra care of Charlotte until he returned.
“Don’t let her do anything strenuous or anything that could harm the baby,” Edward had said before he left.
“You rang for me, Your Grace?” asked Hannah as she walked in carrying a glass of milk and cookies.
“Yes, I did, Hannah. Could you kindly ask my brother Stephen to see me please?” said Charlotte.
“Of course I will,” said Hannah, a little uncertainly.
“Thank you, Hannah,” said Charlotte with a smile.
Stephen arrived in less than ten minutes. “You asked for me?” he said.
Charlotte nodded and smiled. “Yes, I did,” said Charlotte with a twinkle in her eye.
“What is the matter?” asked Stephen suspiciously.
“Oh come on, why do you look scared?” asked Charlotte.
“I look scared because I don’t like that look in your eyes,” said Stephen.
“You know me, don’t you?” asked Charlotte, patting the chair next to her.
“What is it?” asked Stephen.
“Stephen, listen. Edward has left for the Court of St. James and will be gone for two weeks. Isn’t that wonderful?” asked Charlotte, clapping her hands.
“I don’t understand a word you are saying,” said Stephen.
“Oh come on, Stephen, don’t be daft,” said Charlotte.
Stephen smiled. “I am not daft, but I don’t like that look on your face. Please don’t think of trying to get me into trouble with my brother-in-law,” said Stephen.
“Oh dear me, now that is something new. You are not one to sit and mope around,” said Charlotte, spreading her hands.
“Alright, out with it, Charlotte,” said Stephen.
“Now this is my plan. We are going to have a ball in the castle,” said Charlotte.
“A ball? As in music and dancing and a lot of noise?” asked Stephen.
Charlotte nodded her head vigorously. “Indeed,” she said, laughing.
Stephen pondered what his sister said. “Well, if you wish to then let’s have it,” said Stephen, throwing all caution to the wind and agreeing with his sister.
Charlotte and Stephen planned the ball for the following Saturday. They sent out invitations on short notice to everyone who was anyone and almost everyone accepted.
Hannah was mortified. “Your Grace, is it in order to have a ball when His Grace is not in the castle?” asked Hannah.
“Hannah, for pity’s sake, stop moaning and groaning about the ball and get going with the preparations please,” said Charlotte.
“Very well,” said Hannah as she walked out of the parlor.
8
CHAPTER EIGHT
SURPRISES
SURPRISES
“The thing that surprises me most is, you cannot change who you are.” ~ Unknown author
Saturday dawned bright and sunny. The castle gardens looked like a fairyland as castle hands worked tirelessly at the beck and call of the Duchess of Cumberland. She sat in the middle of the garden under an open umbrella and shouted instructions. “I want everything to be perfect,” she said.
Evelyn was at the castle, putting the finishing touches on Charlotte’s ball gown. She had worked day and night as her notice for turning out the ball gown was only a week. The ball gown was of exquisite scarlet gauze, brocaded with white silken flowers and worn over a white satin slip, with a headdress consisting of a beautiful tiara of pearls, which no doubt was from the heirlooms of the late Duchess of Cumberland, Duke Edward’s mother.
Hannah was shocked that Charlotte should take the liberty to go through the jewelry of her late Mistress.
The ball was attended by royalty and friends of Charlotte and Stephen. Charlotte looked spectacular in her ball gown, although she tried her hardest to conceal her stomach, but to no avail.
“When will you have the baby?” asked Lady Matilda Wentworth.
“Oh, it’s due somewhere in a few months,” said Charlotte with a flick of her hand as she moved quickly away from Lady Matilda.
Lady Matilda looked shocked at Charlotte’s attitude as she turned away to whisper in Lady Veronica’s ear. “I am shocked at how Charlotte is talking about her baby,” whispered Lady Matilda.
“Oh, take no notice of her, Matilda. We are here to enjoy ourselves. Look at the food around here,” said Lady Veronica as she spread out her hands.
Matilda nodded and helped herself to a glass of champagne.
Edward decided to return home one week early, as he could not help but think of his wife. “Charlotte must be so lonely,” said Edward to himself as he sat in his carriage.
As the carriage drew close to the castle, Wallace squinted his eyes to look at the hundreds of candles that flickered in the garden. He stopped the carriage and jumped off his seat.
“What is it, Wallace?” asked Duke Edward as he put his head out of the carriage.
The Duke quickly got off and trained his eyes toward the castle. “Goodness gracious, what in the world is going on at the castle?” gasped Edward.
“I think it is a party of some sort,” said Wallace.
“Let’s go,” said Edward as he stepped into the carriage.
No one noticed the carriage of the Duke of Cumberland as Wallace edged it through the masses of other carriages and cabriolets parked outside.
Edward stepped out of the carriage and walked past the guests, who milled around the over-laden tables of food. He stopped short when he saw Charlotte in the arms of Lord Walton. “Charlotte,” roared Duke Edward.
The sound of his voice was so loud that the band stopped playing and everyone turned to look at Duke Edward, who stood in the middle of the ballroom, his eyes spewing fury and anger.
Charlotte could not believe she was seeing her husband standing just a few feet away from her.
Lord Walton dropped his hands to his sides and moved away from Charlotte.
“The ball is over,” said Duke Edward as he looked around at the guests, who stood around, some of them with their mouths half open.
Everyone began to murmur as they filed out of the ballroom and headed for their carriages and cabriolets.
Lord Stephen gripped a chair, as he felt faint. Duchess Charlotte stood with her head bowed down and her hand on her stomach.
“I am disgusted with all of you. I have only to leave the castle and you are up to all the mischief I can think of,” said Duke Edward between clenched teeth.
“Edward…” started Charlotte.
“I would like you to shut your mouth for a while. I need no explanation, Charlotte. You know that I detest all this, and moreover, you also know that Papa has been dead only a few months,” said Edward in disgust.
Stephen had begun to walk away when Edward turned to him.
“I am ashamed of you, Stephen. You should have known better, such as to stop your sister from doing this,” said Edward.
“I am sorry, Edward,” said Stephen contritely, and Edward knew that he meant it.
Edward nodded. “I accept your apology, Stephen,” he said.
When Stephen had left the ballroom, Edwa
rd turned to Charlotte. “I am very, very disappointed in you, Charlotte,” was all Edward said as he walked out of the ballroom and headed toward the stables.
Hannah, who was hovering in the corridor, walked behind Duke Edward. “Your Grace,” whispered Hannah.
Edward spun around. “You let this happen, Hannah?” he asked as he pointed toward the ballroom.
“I had no alternative, Your Grace, believe me,” said Hannah in tears.
Edward nodded. He knew that Hannah would never have been able to stop Charlotte from having this ball. Charlotte was such a stubborn and determined woman that Edward wondered what he was to do with her.
Edward mounted his stallion and rode away toward his father’s grave. What made him ride toward the late Duke of Cumberland’s vault, Edward could not say. He dismounted his stallion and sat down on the grass as he looked pensively at the vault.
Edward turned when he heard footsteps and a rustle in the bushes behind him. He smiled when he saw Nicholodimus emerge from behind the bushes. “How are you, Nicholodimus?” asked Duke Edward as he began to rise.
“No, no, you sit down there, Your Grace, and I will sit beside you,” said Nicholodimus.
Edward nodded and smiled.
“You seemed worried,” said Nicholodimus as he peered at Edward in the fast fading light of the sun.
Edward nodded. “Indeed I am,” he said.
Nicholodimus nodded and rubbed his chin. “You should not worry so much, so…Your Grace,” said Nicholodimus.
Edward looked at the old man and for some reason or other, he felt at peace. A peace that was now familiar to him.
“Her Grace is still young and likes good things and…” said Nicholodimus.
Edward looked at him in surprise. “How do you know that I am worried about Her Grace?” asked Edward.
Regency Romance: To Capture The Duke’s Heart (CLEAN Historical Romance) (The Inheritance Saga) Page 4
