Settling in was even easier than she thought, even though there was the issue of not understanding a word of Gaelic. Embarrassingly enough, she pleaded with Andrew to keep the nurse on so she could be schooled in the language a bit to aid her in her daily duties. He relented eventually, but she’d only had a month before the nurse found another posting.
Alec was a welcome distraction when it came to getting anything done, and she enjoyed chasing after him in the fields as he attempted to catch the sheep and chickens.
Life was easier now, even with more work to do, she wouldn’t have traded it for anything.
“What news do you have from your parents, dear?” Andrew asked, sipping on his tea as he set his letter down.
“My parents are well and are hoping to be here by June. Apparently, my mother has taken issue with leaving Venice so soon. She loves the climate and says it’s doing her well to be in the sunshine and warmth.”
Her husband chuckled. “I’m glad they’re doing well. Has there been any news of Frederick?”
“Yes, actually. After spending a bit of time in New York with my eldest brother and his growing family, Freddy decided to take a position with a newspaper in Boston, Massachusetts.”
Andrew raised a brow at that news. “A newspaper… in Boston… well, that certainly is news. Any idea what brought on the move?”
She giggled. “My guess, and by the indirect phrasing by my sister-in-law, he was following his heart.”
Her husband groaned. “I cannot believe he followed a woman to Boston.”
Clara set her father’s letter down.
“And why is that?”
“Because one does not follow a woman to another state without having done something foolish, or compromising her.”
“Oh, I’m not so sure about that.” Clara sipped on her tea now and watched her husband’s face change from disbelief to irritation. “What’s the matter, dear? What are you reading?”
She slid her own letter to the side and sat up straight. “Go on.”
He waved the letter in the air and then tossed it on the table.
“My cousin in the lowlands has decided he wants to catch the next ship to Nova Scotia and settle there.”
Clara hadn’t meant to seem shocked, but her mouth had dropped open. “Nova Scotia? You cannot be serious.”
“Very.”
“But what will he do? I can’t imagine there would be a lot of work for those coming in from other countries, much less from across the ocean.”
He patted her hand from across the table. “Agreed, my love, but it seems he is decided upon the matter. He has already made arrangements with a priest and will be living with another family as a farm hand until he can find other employment and perhaps purchase his own land to cultivate.”
Clara sat back in her chair. Her imagination running away with her.
“But what of his lands… his cows….”
“The farm hasn’t been doing well and the price for cattle has been dropping. One cannot survive, and I trust he’s already made sure he has some provisions for his travels.”
A wave a nausea struck her then, as it usually did at this same time of the morning for the last month. Her hands pressed to her belly. She suspected she was with child, but didn’t quite believe it at first. She had withheld the information from Andrew until she knew for a fact, and right now, the man was sitting across from her while she wanted to toss up her breakfast.
“Clara, what’s wrong? You’re as pale as a wraith.”
Before she could even reply, she ran for a bowl to empty the contents of her stomach.
After a few minutes of retching into a flower pot just outside their front door, Clara stood up and leaned against the door frame.
“Heavens, woman… was it the cheese you had with your bread this morning?”
Now that made her laugh, and given her present state and the fact the man was still standing there while she made a complete fool of herself, she hardly knew what to say without laughing.
“My love, in all seriousness it was not the cheese, but I do suppose I should let you in on a tiny secret.”
He came to stand before her and gripped her arms. “Don’t keep me in suspense then…tell me this instant.”
“I’m… we’re expecting a new member to our family this Christmas, I expect, but I imagine it might be a wee bit sooner.”
It was his turn to pale and then he swooned. Dust kicked up the moment his body hit the ground.
She laughed while trying to shout out for assistance.
A male servant came to her aid and a rush of other female servants joined them. Clara kneeled at his side and kissed his cheek.
“Honestly, husband, it’s only a baby and not the plague.”
He came to then with a grin on his face. “Another beautiful Christmas to be had. I love you, Clara Cameron.”
“And I, you, Andrew.”
The End
About Layna Pimentel
Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Layna discovered her love of reading at an early age. She’s a bestselling author at All Romance eBooks and a multi-published author of historical, paranormal, and contemporary erotic romances. When she isn’t devouring salacious romance novels or writing, she enjoys hiking and researching ancient history, mythology, and weaponry. She lives in Northern Ontario with her husband and two daughters.
For updates on her upcoming releases, or to leave her a comment, you can find at:
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The Nutcracker Reimagined: A Collection of Christmas Tales Page 69
