“Of course not darling,” she responded, reaching up to brush a stray lock of hair back into place. “I have to pay a visit to Lady Fairmont later today, so I am glad that you will have someone to keep you company.”
Nicholas didn’t miss his grandmother’s subtle rebuke as he followed them to the house, but he chose to ignore it.
When Tiffany arrived later that day, Ashleigh was prepared to tell her everything, unfortunately however, their dutiful butler unwittingly revealed the most significant occurrence before Ashleigh had the opportunity to do it herself.
“Hawthorne, could you please have tea sent to my sitting room,” Ashleigh asked politely, as she led Tiffany toward the stairs.
“Of course, Your Grace,” he said with a nod. “I shall have it sent up straight away.”
Catching Tiffany’s shocked glance, her eyes going as wide as dinner plates, Ashleigh realized that Hawthorne had just addressed her as Your Grace. “Let’s go upstairs,” she said, grasping Tiffany’s elbow. “I shall explain everything.”
“I still cannot believe that you are going to have a baby,” Tiffany said, her eyes moist with tears.
“I know. At times I still cannot believe it myself.”
“I am so happy for you, Ashleigh. You are going to be such a wonderful mother.”
“Do you really think so?” she asked, her tone slightly unsure. Having grown up without her own mother, at times she worried about how she would fare as a mother herself.
“Of course you are. How can you doubt that?” Reaching out, she grasped Ashleigh’s hand and squeezed it reassuringly. “You are one of the most loving and caring people I have ever known.”
Hearing Tiffany’s heartfelt words, she couldn’t help wishing that Nicholas felt the same way.
As if sensing her inner thoughts, Tiffany’s gaze became sympathetic. “Surely your husband will come to realize that too. How can he not?”
“I suppose only time will tell.” She shrugged her shoulders and tried to hide her pain. “Oh, I nearly forgot,” she said, her eyes brightening. “I want you to be the baby's God-Mother. Please say you will.”
“Of course I will,” Tiffany replied excitedly, obviously thrilled at the notion. “Goodness, just think, if the baby is a boy, I will be the God-Mother of a future duke. Father will be beyond pleased, I’m sure.” She rolled her eyes dramatically.
“Speaking of your father, have you given any further thought as to the sudden change in his behavior?”
“As a matter of fact I have,” Tiffany replied, her expression souring. “I think he is looking to marry me off, sooner rather than later I am afraid.”
“But why? I mean, why the sudden haste? You haven’t even made your debut.”
“I haven’t had the courage to ask,” Tiffany sighed. “But I think it may have something to do with his financial situation. From certain things I have overheard, I suspect that he has made some poor investments of late. He hasn’t said anything of course, but it seems to make the most sense.”
“Oh dear. Has he mentioned anyone in particular?”
“No,” Tiffany said, looking glum.
Ashleigh knew that Tiffany, like her, was a romantic at heart, and had always envisioned a love-match in her future. For Tiffany’s sake, she desperately hoped that at least one of them wouldn’t be disappointed.
For the next hour, the girls deliberately kept their conversation upbeat, discussing everything from their most daring childhood pranks, to the style of furniture Ashleigh wanted to decorate the nursery with. Their mood was light and cheerful and by the time Tiffany was set to take her leave, Ashleigh was in much better spirits.
Nicholas returned to the estate that afternoon, earlier than he had originally intended, having just investigated a fire that had nearly destroyed a local inn and tavern. The fire was found to be the result of a careless accident, a forgotten cloak left too close to the taproom hearth. Therefore, he hadn't been required to fill the role of temporary magistrate, until one could be summoned from a larger township, as would have been the case if the fire were found to have been the result of arson.
After arriving back at the house, he had retired to his study and presently sat behind his desk, going over some business issues concerning one of his holdings in Yorkshire. He had just finished looking over some paperwork from his solicitor in London, when he heard the unmistakable sound of feminine laughter coming through his study door. Curious, he rose from his desk and then exited his study, making his way toward the large front entrance hall. He was instantly halted by the look of incredulousness upon Hawthorne's normally composed features. Wondering what had their dignified butler in such a state of shock, Nicholas followed his gaze to the wide staircase leading up to the second floor. Straightaway, he understood Hawthorne’s look of dismay, for hurtling down each side of the staircase came Lady Tiffany Marlowe and his new bride, each seated sideways, one atop each highly polished wooden banister.
Nicholas' reaction was automatic and instantaneous. Striding forward with lightning-quick speed, he reached out and plucked Ashleigh from the banister, just as she neared the bottom of the staircase, setting her on her feet with a jarring impact that rattled her teeth.
Lady Tiffany, who sprang from the end of the banister and landed gracefully on her feet, took one look at Nicholas’ face and sank into a hasty curtsey. She then mumbled something about her father expecting her for dinner and sent Ashleigh an apologetic smile before making a hasty exit to her waiting carriage.
Ashleigh, who was still a bit stunned from being so abruptly plucked from the bannister and deposited upon her feet, stared at her husband in shocked dismay. “N-Nicholas,” she stammered. “What are you doing here?”
Nicholas looked down at his reckless young wife and his temper flared. She’d nearly frightened him to death with that little stunt. “What am I doing here? I think the appropriate question is what in the hell are you doing here?” he bellowed.
Ashleigh was suddenly aware of Hawthorne’s presence and her face flamed scarlet.
Nicholas too, became aware of where they were and that they had an audience, though his unflappable butler did his best to blend into the wall as if he weren’t there.
Turning, he gripped Ashleigh's arm and all but drug her down the hall and into his study. “Well, what do you have to say for yourself Madame?” Nicholas demanded harshly, the moment the door slammed shut behind him.
“I am sorry if I upset you Nicholas, but Tiffany and I were just having a bit of harmless fun, and honestly, I didn’t realize that Hawthorne was there.” She should have known better of course, for she was a duchess now, and duchesses clearly didn’t behave in such a shocking manner. Apparently she was going to have to keep reminding herself of that.
When Nicholas just stood with his back against the door, glaring at her in mute outrage, Ashleigh tried to justify her irresponsible behavior. “It’s just that I have nothing to do all day,” she began hesitantly. “Now that Dr. Ainsley says I cannot ride, I am confined to the house, and it is becoming dreadfully tedious.” When Nicholas continued to remain silent, the tightening of his jaw revealing his continued anger, Ashleigh's own ire began to rise. “You must understand that I am not accustomed to remaining idle for long periods of time,” she stated defensively. “For heaven's sake, Tiffany and I merely started talking about some of our childhood escapades and we simply got a bit carried away. I certainly didn't mean to embarrass you, and I certainly wouldn’t have done it had I known that Hawthorne was in the foyer.” She couldn’t seem to stop talking. “I think you are overreacting,” she declared, matter of factly.
“Embarrass me! Overreacting!” Nicholas thundered, once again finding his voice. “I see my wife, my expectant wife, hurtling down the banister like a cannonball and you tell me that I am overreacting,” he practically shouted, his face a mask of anger and indignation. “For God's sake, do you not realize what could have happened if you had fallen?” he demanded quickly moving toward her, and then gr
ipping her arms and shaking her slightly to emphasize his point.
Ashleigh was oddly relieved to learn that he was concerned for her safety, rather than embarrassed by her behavior. Although, he really had nothing to be upset about and she didn't appreciate being shouted at as if she were a wayward child. She would never endanger herself or her baby, and if anything she didn't think being shaken like a rag doll was particularly conducive to good health. She had been sliding down banisters since she was a child and she’d never fallen, not even once. Besides, she and Tiffany hadn’t even started from the top, as they usually did. They’d only been a few steps up from the bottom. It had been perfectly harmless.
“It wasn’t as if we started from the top,” she said, saying aloud what she’d just been thinking. “Really Nicholas, I think you are making a much bigger deal of this than it actually was.” Then realizing she might be able to turn things to her advantage, she continued on. “You know, since you seem to be so concerned about my wellbeing all of the sudden, perhaps you should be a bit more attentive, perhaps then I wouldn't have to look for things to keep myself entertained.”
He dropped his hands from her arms, his eyes going wide as he stared at her in utter astonishment. Ashleigh had endangered not only herself, but her unborn baby as well, their unborn baby, and now she was blaming him for it. He couldn't believe his ears. “Are you insinuating that you endangered the life of our child because I haven't been paying enough attention to you?” he demanded in disbelief.
Ashleigh rolled her eyes. “I wouldn't have fallen off of the bloody banister; I barely slid a few feet for heaven's sake,” she reminded him in annoyance, stubbornly lifting her chin and refusing to answer his question.
Nicholas looked at his defiant young wife and sighed in resignation. “Madame, I am sorry if you feel as if you are being neglected, but surely you must understand that it takes an incredible amount of time to keep this estate in order, not to mention the dozens of other business matters I must attend to each and every day. Besides,” he added with a touch of his customary cynicism, “You have accomplished your goal; you are now my duchess, what more could you possibly want?”
“Nicholas, I only…”
“Do not even think about asking me to take you to London, because it is out of the question,” he cut in before she'd even had a chance to finish her sentence. “I am sure that you are just dying to flaunt your newly acquired title, but I do not have the time to take you right now. If this marriage isn't what you bargained for, you have only yourself to blame,” he finished harshly.
The callous words stung. Was he ever going to believe that someone could love him, not because of his money or his title, but because of the kind of man he was, the man he tried so desperately to hide? The pain she felt was evident in her eyes as she looked up into his harsh visage. “As difficult as it may be for you to believe, that is not what I want,” she stated with quiet dignity. “I was merely going to suggest that we take a few of our meals together, perhaps spend an evening or two in each other's company, maybe even take a sleigh ride down to the creek,” she said, struggling to keep her voice from cracking. “Please forgive me for forgetting how much you despise me.” She turned to leave before she gave in to the tears that stung the backs of her eyes.
Seeing Ashleigh’s crestfallen expression, he suddenly regretted his cruel words. Whatever the circumstances of their marriage, she was his wife and she carried his child. As he had said once before, the die had been cast, and there was no going back. Now that they were legally bound to one another, he realized that it would be best for them to at least maintain a civil relationship. He owed it to his child, if not to her. He had too often witnessed examples of the vicious hostility that could exist between married couples. His own parents had been a perfect example of how bad things could get. He didn’t want to subject his child to that, not ever.
He decided at that moment that he needed to try to set aside his anger and resentment regarding their marriage. With a sigh of resignation, he ran his fingers through the thick waves of his hair, watching in frustration as Ashleigh moved toward the door. “Ashleigh wait,” he said, his words arresting her hand as she reached for the doorknob. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?” she asked bitterly. “For hating me?”
She heard his approach and then suddenly she felt his arms upon her shoulders as he gently turned her around so that they faced each other.
Nicholas looked into her eyes, glistening with unshed tears, and spoke with surprising gentleness. “I do not hate you Ashleigh.”
“Don't you?” she demanded, knowing how much he resented her for their unwanted marriage.
“No, I do not,” he repeated firmly. “This situation is as much my fault as it is yours and I think it would be best if we just let the past remain the past. What's done is done.” He summoned his resolve. “I see no reason that the two of us cannot maintain a civil relationship with each other in the future.”
“Are you offering me some sort of truce?” she asked, looking into his deep blue eyes. She couldn't help wishing that he was offering something else, but at least it was a start.
“I am willing to try, if you are.”
“Well…perhaps we could go for a sleigh ride tomorrow. The countryside is so beautiful this time of year,” she suggested, keeping her tone somewhat indifferent, testing him to see if he really meant what he said.
“I'm sorry, but tomorrow I am leaving for Thorn Hill. It's the estate Madeline gave to Brendon. I’ve been having it renovated as a surprise for him. I have meetings scheduled with the architects and some of the tradesmen to go over the final details. I will probably be gone for at least a week
“I could go with you,” she suggested hesitantly.
“I hardly think that an extended carriage ride over rough, weather-beaten roads would be good for you in your condition,” Nicholas replied. “Besides, Dr. Ainsley said you shouldn't exert yourself.”
“Dr. Ainsley never said any such thing,” Ashleigh refuted, annoyed that Nicholas was trying to find a way out of taking her with him. “He merely said that I should get plenty of rest until I recovered my strength, which I have.”
Nicholas looked at the stubborn expression on Ashleigh's face and realized that it would be hypocritical to leave her behind, considering everything he had just said about maintaining a civil relationship. He sighed. “Can you be ready by first light?”
“Do you mean it? Will you really take me with you?” Ashleigh asked, her spirits lifting at once.
Nicholas looked at the expression upon her face and felt a moment’s hesitation. She was so dammed beautiful and when she looked at him like that, it threw him emotionally off balance. “Have your warmest clothes packed, for I won't have you catching a chill and relapsing while we are away,” he ordered somewhat brusquely, reminding himself that he was concerned only for her health.
“I shall start packing at once,” she said with a smile, and then turned and rushed from his study before he could change his mind.
Chapter 19
The next morning Ashleigh was awake before dawn and dressed and ready to go in a lovely, forest-green velvet traveling ensemble a short time later. She’d wanted to look her best however, so she had allowed Annie to spend a few extra minutes styling her hair into an elaborate twist. She thought it gave her an added look of sophistication, especially when she donned the jaunty velvet hat that matched the gown.
Unfortunately, after making her way downstairs, she quickly discovered that the extra time spent on her toilette had apparently been for naught. Eager to be underway, Nicholas virtually thrust her into a heavy sable cloak the moment she reached the bottom of the stairs, assuring her that a light breakfast had been packed and awaited them in the coach.
As soon as she was settled within the vehicle, Nicholas piled so many furs over her that she was completely covered from the tips of her toes to the delicate point of her chin. “For goodness sake, I am beginning to feel as though I am being
buried alive,” she teased, as he added yet another fur to the pile surrounding her.
“My apologies, but I am under strict orders from Madeline to keep you in perfect health,” Nicholas told her. “She threatened to disown me if you come down with even the slightest chill whilst we are away.”
Ashleigh couldn't help but smile at that, for she could well imagine Madeline ordering Nicholas to keep her in good health. She’d said virtually the same thing to her the evening before, when she’d told her that Nicholas had agreed to allow her to accompany him to Thorn Hill.
It was nearly noon when they stopped at a roadside inn to rest and water the horses, for they were travelling at a leisurely pace, assuredly due to her presence. The Spotted Goose was a small, but well-run establishment that offered food and shelter for any traveler who could afford the luxury of a hot meal and a soft bed. Although Ashleigh and Nicholas wouldn't be staying overnight at the inn, they eagerly sought out the dining hall, in search of a light repast to carry them through the remainder of their journey.
When Ashleigh ordered enough food to feed three people, Nicholas quirked an eyebrow in surprise, but wisely remained silent. She had already polished off the majority of the food that had been in their breakfast basket.
However, once their food had come and she had eaten nearly every morsel that had been placed in front of her, he could no longer withhold his astonishment. “Are you sure you are not expecting twins?” he asked.
Ashleigh looked up from the spoonful of plum pudding she’d been about to lift to her mouth and met Nicholas’ astonished gaze. She couldn’t help the blush that stained her cheeks at his incredulous expression. Instantly mortified, she set down the spoon. “Madeline says a healthy appetite makes for a healthy baby,” she told him with an embarrassed smile.
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