by Laura Martin
With one last look at the fire that burned steadily in the grate he stepped away, dreading what he might find when he returned to Rosa, but knowing he could not keep away. Whatever she was suffering, whatever happened, he would be there for her. He just wished he could take some of her pain himself, he’d rather suffer than watch her hurt.
Quietly he tapped on the door to his mother’s room. She’d insisted Rosa be taken there, it was the warmest room in the house and the bed was made up ready. As Rosa had slipped from consciousness his mother had taken over, summoning servants and ordering him to get changed and get warm before he returned. She hadn’t asked a single question as to who Rosa was and all he’d told her was of the ship and the storm.
When there was no answer he opened the door a crack and stepped inside. It was wonderfully toasty in the bedroom and his mother must have ordered all the candles to be lit as the room was illuminated in a soft glow. Thomas looked at the bed. Rosa was lying there, tucked up under the covers, the top blanket pulled right up to her chin. She looked peaceful and innocent like that, as if she didn’t have a care in the world.
‘How is she?’ Thomas asked as he walked over to the bed and looked down at his wife.
‘She woke briefly, but the poor girl is exhausted. She asked for you. And about her child.’
Thomas’s eyes flickered to the visible bump beneath the sheets.
‘I’ve sent a groom to fetch the doctor, we’ll know more then,’ his mother said, giving him a weak smile.
He perched on the edge of the bed, stroking the hair from Rosa’s forehead and leaning in to place a kiss on the rapidly warming skin.
‘Is the child yours?’ his mother asked softly.
He went to shake his head but found he couldn’t complete the movement. The baby might not be his true baby, his flesh and blood, but Thomas could not deny the growing bond he felt with Rosa’s unborn child.
‘It’s complicated,’ he said eventually.
‘But you care for her?’ his mother asked, glancing at Rosa.
‘Rosa is my wife,’ he said. ‘I can’t lose her, not like this.’
His mother nodded and Thomas was grateful she left the questions there. Soon he would tell her everything, but right now he didn’t have the energy to explain the ins and outs of their relationship.
‘Sit down. I’ll have one of the maids bring you some food and then you must rest.’
‘I can’t leave her,’ Thomas said.
‘You can rest in the armchair,’ his mother instructed. ‘And I will stay with Rosa all night. I promise to wake you if anything changes.’
Thomas sank down into the soft armchair, feeling his muscles finally relax after all the exertion during the night. For a few seconds he fought to keep his eyes open, but knew he was fighting a losing battle. Less than a minute later he had fallen into a deep, dreamless sleep.
Chapter Nineteen
Rosa awoke as the light started to filter through the curtains. She stretched, feeling every muscle in her body aching, and burrowed down under the sheets. As she became more aware of her surroundings the events of the last few days filtered back. Warily she opened one eye and then the other. She had absolutely no clue where she was. She remembered the ship sinking, Thomas rescuing her in a longboat and the long slog to shore, but after that her memory blurred.
‘Good morning, sleepyhead,’ Thomas said as she struggled to sit up.
He looked rested and refreshed and as if he’d spent the last few days relaxing at home, not battling to survive a storm and a shipwreck.
‘Where are we?’ Rosa asked.
‘Home.’
‘Home?’
He nodded, grinned, looked around him before flopping on to the bed beside her.
‘How can we be home?’
‘The storm blew up a little further along the coast, we washed up near my family home, so I brought you here.’
‘How long have I been asleep?’
‘Over twenty-four hours. We thought it best for you to rest.’
‘We?’
Thomas grimaced. ‘Dr Pewton. He’s been four times to check you over. I’ll summon him again in a minute to let him know you are awake.’
Rosa bit her lip. She didn’t want to ask the question, but needed desperately to know.
‘And the baby?’ It came out as nothing more than a whisper.
Thomas’s smile froze and Rosa felt her heart squeeze in her chest.
‘The doctor said it’s too early to say,’ he said softly. ‘But at the moment he seems to be unperturbed by your spell in the water.’
‘Really?’
‘Really.’
Rosa felt the tension that had been balling in her stomach ever since waking up start to dissipate and she allowed herself a tentative smile.
‘I’m glad you are well, Rosa,’ Thomas said, taking her hand. ‘I have been worried about you.’
Rosa felt her pulse quicken as he brought his lips to the skin over her knuckles. She hadn’t had time to process everything he’d told her in her cabin whilst the storm had raged outside, but she did know the hurt and the anger she’d felt on their wedding night had ebbed away and was being replaced by something new. Something warm and pleasant.
‘I haven’t thanked you for saving my life,’ Rosa said, glad when Thomas didn’t relinquish her hand.
‘There’s no need to thank me.’
‘Thank you anyway. I know I would have died without you.’
He smiled at her, his eyes lingering on hers for just a second longer than was necessary.
‘You’re my wife. It’s my duty to protect you, or have you forgotten our vows already?’
Rosa couldn’t help but laugh. It felt good to have the old Thomas back, the man who teased her and laughed at every opportunity. She’d missed him on the long voyage back to England.
Resting her head back on the pile of pillows, Rosa closed her eyes momentarily and considered what Thomas had just said. It was his duty to protect her, although she doubted many other husbands would go to the lengths Thomas had to save her life. She wondered if duty was the only thing motivating him, or whether there was something else, some deeper feeling, hidden beneath his impenetrable exterior.
‘Thomas,’ Rosa said quietly. ‘Were there any other survivors from the ship?’
He paused and Rosa knew he felt the same guilt at leaving people behind as she did, although she was certain her baby would have been at higher risk if they had.
‘Some of the locals mounted a rescue once the worst of the storm died down. Thirty were saved, but twelve have not been found and assumed perished. The captain is amongst the missing.’
‘He was such a kind man.’
Nodding, Thomas squeezed her hand. ‘We should have a memorial service for all those that died once you have recovered,’ he suggested.
‘That’s a lovely idea.’
‘I should let you rest. I shall summon the doctor and ask him to check you over. And I must inform my mother you are awake. She’s been beside herself with worry.’
Rosa’s eyes shot wide open and she felt her breath catch in her throat.
‘Your mother?’ she asked.
‘Yes—middle-aged woman, lives here, raised me from childhood.’
‘Yes, yes, yes,’ Rosa said with a dismissive wave of the hand—she was too agitated to pay much attention to his words. ‘Have you told her we’re married?’
‘Of course.’
‘And what about...?’ Rosa trailed off, placing a hand on her abdomen.
‘I’ve told her it is complicated. It is up to you what more you say.’
Thomas bent over and kissed her lightly on the forehead, his lips only just brushing her skin before they were gone all too soon.
* * *
‘You are a very lucky woman, Lady Hunter,’ Dr Pewton said, snapping his doctor’s bag closed with one hand before straightening up.
‘You truly cannot find anything wrong with the baby?’
‘It is difficult to tell, but the movements are usually a good indicator things are progressing as they should. If you do not feel any movements for a long while then please have your husband fetch me.’
‘I cannot believe there is no damage after such a lengthy submersion.’
‘The female body was built to nurture and protect the unborn child, it would appear your body did just that. I will return to see you tomorrow. Please rest until then, we can talk about getting you out of bed tomorrow.’
‘Thank you, Doctor.’
Rosa watched as the elderly man left the room and allowed herself a small smile of relief. She had been convinced the time she’d spent underwater and bobbing around in the cold sea must have damaged the baby, despite feeling the strong kicks she knew so well. It was reassuring to know the doctor was not overly concerned for her baby.
She was just about to close her eyes and rest as the doctor had ordered when there was a quiet knock on the door. A few seconds later it opened and a petite, pretty, middle-aged woman slipped into the room.
‘Rosa, my dear, I wanted to pop in and check on you.’
Rosa felt a flutter of nerves in her stomach. This was her mother-in-law, the woman Thomas held in such high regard, the woman she was destined to spend the rest of her life living with. On first glance you couldn’t have imagined a more different woman to Rosa’s own mother. She was smiling where Rosa’s mother was haughty, welcoming where Rosa’s mother was stand-offish. Physically, too, the two women were opposites. Thomas’s mother was small, with delicate features and blonde hair streaked with a few strands of silver. Rosa’s mother was statuesque in her bearing, with dark hair and olive skin.
‘I am the Dowager Lady Hunter, but you must call me Sarah.’
‘Thank you for taking me into your home,’ Rosa said, having to clutch her hands together to stop them from shaking.
‘Nonsense, my dear, it is your home too now. My son tells me you two were married a month ago.’
Rosa searched for the reproach, the disapproval, in her mother-in-law’s tone, but could find none. There was just genuine interest and happiness.
‘I must confide in you, Rosa, I never thought I would have a daughter-in-law, I never dared to hope these last few years. And now to be blessed with a daughter-in-law and a grandchild on the way, I cannot tell you how happy I am.’
Rosa shifted under the bedcovers and immediately Sarah was by her side, adjusting the pillows behind her.
‘Thomas tells me I must not wear you out,’ she said with a tender smile. ‘But I had to come in and meet you properly. We will have plenty of time to get to know one another over the coming weeks.’
Sarah stood, squeezed Rosa’s hand and turned to head for the door. Rosa felt a wave of turmoil crash over her. This lovely woman had welcomed her into the family home, provided for her every comfort and was doing her utmost to make Rosa feel comfortable, all the while probably believing Rosa was carrying her flesh and blood. She should say something, explain the truth.
‘Lady Hunter...’ Rosa started. ‘Sarah...’ But she could not find the words.
‘We can talk more later, my dear. You rest now.’
* * *
‘If I don’t get out of this room I will scream,’ Rosa said, plastering her most determined expression across her face.
‘I can’t see anything wrong with this room,’ Thomas said cheerily. ‘Beautiful wallpaper, nice airy feel, good view over the lawns.’
Rosa growled. Since returning home, and especially since the doctor had given her the all clear, her husband had regained much of his old carefree nature and sense of humour. Rosa was glad, but sometimes he could be infuriating.
‘There’s nothing wrong with the room,’ Rosa said through gritted teeth. ‘That is not what I meant, as you very well know. If I do not move from this bed soon I fear I will become stuck to it for eternity.’
Thomas raised an eyebrow as if he was considering the merits of having her stuck in bed. Rosa thought she saw a flash of desire as he eyed her, but quickly he covered it. Interesting.
‘Either you help me to get up and go downstairs or I will do it all by myself.’
‘Shall I find you a big old branch to use as a crutch?’
Rosa reached out to swat his arm, but Thomas dodged her efficiently. She struggled upright, swung her legs over the edge of the bed and started to push up. Her bump had become more cumbersome over the course of their voyage to England, and now she had to take a second whenever she changed positions to regain her balance.
Once she was steady on her feet she looked up. Thomas was just staring at her, he’d made no move to take her arm or come to her side as he normally would.
‘Rosa,’ he said, his voice barely more than a whisper. ‘I just saw a movement.’
She glanced down and placed a hand on her belly. It was mid-afternoon, the time the baby was at its most active and she loved it when she could feel the kicks and movements inside her.
‘Come here.’ Rosa took Thomas’s hand and sat back down on the bed, pulling him to sit beside her.
Gently she placed his hand on her belly, feeling his warm fingers through the thin cotton covering. They sat, completely still and completely silent, for thirty seconds until another strong kick came from the baby inside her.
‘I felt it,’ Thomas exclaimed. ‘I felt the baby kick.’
Rosa watched his face as he gazed at her belly, his hand still in place. She saw amazement and awe as well as something else in his eyes, something that looked a little like love.
‘Does it do this a lot?’ Thomas asked.
‘All the time, especially mid-afternoon. Normally in the morning he’s quiet.’
‘Are you going to be a late riser like your mother?’ Thomas asked, directing his question down towards her belly. ‘Your mother does like to waste the morning lounging in bed.’
‘It’s not a waste,’ Rosa said with a smile. ‘It makes sense to wake up slowly rather than to jump into the day.’
‘I think on that matter we will have to agree to disagree.’
Still he hadn’t removed his hand from her belly and Rosa felt a peculiar warmth spreading through her. It felt wonderful to be touched like this, to have Thomas’s hands on her slowly stroking her skin. For a second she allowed her eyes to close and her head to drop back.
‘Mmm...’ she moaned involuntarily.
‘I think your mama likes being stroked,’ Thomas said, bending his neck and speaking softly.
Gently he raised his other hand to join the first, moving both in sweeping circles around her belly, scrunching up the material of her nightgown before smoothing it out again.
She watched him stroke her, watched the rhythmic movements of his hands across her skin, and realised she was happy. True, she’d only just survived the storm and the shipwreck, was married to a man who planned on running away abroad at the first opportunity and would have to make a life for herself in someone else’s home, but still she felt happy. She was alive and her baby was well. She was safe, and would be safe for the rest of her life. Although Thomas’s mother might not know all the details about their marriage, she seemed lovely and accommodating, and Rosa knew she could make the best of living here.
Glancing at Thomas, Rosa realised she had forgiven him. Forgiven him for deceiving her, forgiven him for his reaction to her on their wedding night. He should have told her before about the illness that ran in his family, but she could understand why he hadn’t. Just as she could understand why he had sworn himself to a life of celibacy to stop any future generations from suffering from the disease.
‘Thomas,’ Rosa said, closing her eyes and letting her head fall back. ‘Whilst I am pregnant there is no chance of you fathering a child with me.’
She felt his hands freeze on her belly, but couldn’t bring herself to open her eyes to gauge his reaction.
He cleared his throat, made a noise as if he were about to say something and then cleared his throat again.
‘It was just a thought,’ Rosa said, opening her eyes and pushing herself upright.
She had to take Thomas’s arm and tug on it to get him moving, and as she glanced at his face she could see he was still lost in her words.
‘Come,’ she said. ‘I really would like to get some air.’
Chapter Twenty
‘Whilst I am pregnant there is no chance of you fathering a child with me.’
How many times in the last two weeks had he repeated that phrase in his head? Rosa’s voice, so soft and calm, giving him an invitation to do what he most desired.
He glanced over at his wife as she walked arm in arm with his mother through the gardens. They were fast becoming good friends, as he knew they would. Often he would find them laughing together, walking arm in arm or with their heads bent over a book. Thomas knew he should be pleased, it was just what he’d planned. A safe haven for Rosa to raise her child in and a companion for his mother. Now there should be nothing to stop him from packing his bags and picking a new destination for his adventures.
Except there was. Thomas looked again at Rosa. She still seemed graceful despite being over seven months pregnant. Her feet glided across the ground, her back was straight and the folds of her dress hung flatteringly around her figure.
He wanted her. He wanted to sweep her up into his arms, carry her to the bedroom and spend the next three months making love to her. He wanted to hold her close to him, stroke her skin and run his fingers through her hair.
Thomas groaned. It would be simpler if it was just pure desire that consumed him, but as the days went by he found he was actually happy, he was content to stroll through the gardens with Rosa, to show her the familiar sights from his childhood. He wanted to spend every waking minute with her, listen to her insights and tease her so her cheeks turned pink.