A Courtship to Remember: A Historical Regency Romance Book

by Bridget Barton

  Just the other day she had heard about a woman who had become sick during pregnancy, resulting in her child being born deformed. While Elizabeth would still love her baby regardless of his or her appearance, her love would not be able to shield it from the judging world.

  “You are in perfect health – the doctor said as much during his last visit. Our baby will be healthy and perfect. Just like you.”

  She smiled. “Perfect is not a word I would use to describe myself.”

  “To me you are. You made me the happiest man when you became my wife.”

  He leaned towards her to kiss her forehead, her cheeks, even her nose, and finally a tender kiss on her lips. Elizabeth always became a pool of liquid when Anthony kissed her. She was a helpless woman under his spell, and she never wanted to be released. He broke the kiss to place his cheek against her belly, murmuring sweet nothings. Anthony enjoyed touching her belly, often talking to it even in the presence of company. He was utterly shameless about his love for her and their unborn child, not caring what people thought of him.

  “Something tells me that our baby will be spoilt.”

  He chuckled. “I do not deny that.”

  “I see how the future will be. I shall be the one to discipline, and you will be the one to console. Am I correct?”

  “Again, I do not deny that.”

  She laughed out loud. “We shall see.”

  He grinned as he stood up, holding his hand out to her. "Come, sit on a more comfortable chair while I play something that I hope you and all our future children will enjoy."

  “You have written something?”

  “Yes, for the baby. It has been playing in my heart ever since I learnt that I was to be a father. It took some time to put on paper, and I am still perfecting it. But it is ready enough for a first listen. Perhaps you can tell me if I am on the right track?”

  “You never cease to amaze me, Anthony.”

  “And I would prefer to keep it that way.”

  He helped her up, leading her to an armchair he had specially ordered to be made for her during her pregnancy. It had a support for her back and a footstool that she could easily push forward and back when she wished. Once she was settled, he kissed her belly and returned to the instrument.

  “I have not given the lullaby a name yet, but I am open to ideas.”

  She nodded. “Play, and we will surely come up with something.”

  He turned to the instrument, wriggled his fingers, and started to play. Elizabeth was always one to judge a piece of music by the emotions that she felt. If it did not move her, then it was not something she would listen to again. This melody, however, brought quick tears to her eyes, filling her heart with contentment and peace.

  As she sat in her chair, her mind travelled to thoughts of her sister. Was she as happy as she was? Cecilia had expressed inexplicable joy being married to Percy. It seemed they both had wonderful husbands who doted on them.

  I should write her a letter, I am sure that she is due any moment now.

  Not wanting to disturb Anthony, she tiptoed to her writing desk, took the stationery out of the drawer, and sat down to write her letter.

  July 1816

  Dear Ceci,

  It is a beautiful day in London. The birds are singing, the sun is not too hot, and my flowers have bloomed. I am particularly happy about that as I was worried that they would die while I was away. After some time in the countryside, Anthony and I decided to return to the place where our love was born. We both thought it only fitting to celebrate our first anniversary here. It seems like just yesterday that we arrived in London for the season. I admit that I was none too happy about it, as you very well know, but it all worked out in the end.

  The baby has been quite active during these last few months, especially when a good piece of music is played. I attended the opera a few days ago and found myself most distracted by the leaping in my belly. Just now, as I played a duet with Anthony, he or she started to wriggle so much that I had to stop. I wonder if I shall have a baby girl or a boy first? Anthony does not mind, neither do I. I merely hope that my baby will be healthy and whole.

  How is your pregnancy? I know that you were slightly queasy for quite some time – Percy was worried that you would never have any sustenance. I do hope that you are able to eat more. I have been eating as a horse does which is terrible. Anthony assures me that I look radiant and beautiful, but I feel as though I waddle as a duck does. Mind you, Anthony would still love me were I a hundred pounds over my current weight. Not that I would get to that state. Some good exercise and keeping away from Cook's desserts will be a must once I have given birth. I had a strange craving for crushed peanuts on my porridge the other day, and you know that I am not fond of peanuts.

  I think it simply wonderful that we are pregnant at the same time. I do wish that we could spend more time together, comparing notes about our pregnancies, encouraging the other when a day is quite challenging, but Anthony has been quite good about it as well. He seldom leaves my side, preferring to spend his free time with me. Our bedroom is now on the ground floor, which is odd but I have grown used to it. Do you remember my dizzy spells? Anthony was gravely worried that I would fall while walking up or down the stairs, so he has made me promise him not to venture on the stairs until the doctor assures him that my light-headedness is a thing of the past. I cannot deny him anything, and he knows it. Besides, he only wishes to take care of me, and if I must sleep downstairs in what used to be my parlour, then so be it. As I write this letter, he is playing a beautiful lullaby that he has written for the baby. It indeed is a lovely piece – I am holding myself from crying or there might be splashes on this letter.

  Mama and Papa seem to be quite happy with each other, which is astonishing. I have never seen them act so kindly towards each other. Perhaps they have set their differences aside and reconciled? I certainly hope so. They were with us some days ago for a week or so. I am glad that Papa did not hold the false courtship against Anthony, or I might never have been allowed to marry him. He and Papa have become good friends and Papa absolutely adores him, as you know. Before they departed, Mama commented that she had the best sons-in-law in the whole of England, possibly the world. Anthony and Percy are fortunate to have in-laws who are not demanding or overly critical. It would have been a blessing to meet Anthony's parents, but that was never to be. We made a special visit to their graves a fortnight ago to pay our respects and replace the flowers we had left there during our last visit. They must have been good people to have raised a son like my husband.

  Felton has found a special woman. He is not saying much about it yet, but I believe that courtship will be announced soon. I am happy for him and hope that she will be the one for him. Her name is Isabella Sykes. Perhaps you know of her? She is quite petite and blonde – I feel like an African elephant next to her. More so now that I am pregnant and near to popping out of my dresses. I have had new dresses made in the last month as my other ones have ceased to fit. My new dresses look as though several people could fit into them quite comfortably. I told Anthony to buy me material, and I would make the dresses myself, but he insisted that he did not want his pregnant wife to overwork herself.

  I hardly do anything but eat, read and play music. I am allowed a stroll through the garden, but only when he is around. He is afraid that I shall have a fainting spell and fall, or even trip on an exposed root or a stone. This is our first pregnancy, so I suppose his worry is understandable, but I do wonder if he will do the same with the second baby? Oh dear me! I have not yet given birth and yet I am speaking about the next baby! I would like three, but Anthony would like five or seven – no even numbers. I have asked him why not four or six, but he is adamant that we are not to have an even number of children. He is a strange man at times, but I love him all the more.

  I sincerely hope that our children will spend much time together and grow up as close as we have been. They will be cousins, but I would have them treat each other like br
others and sisters. There is nothing better than a family being united as one. Perhaps we can spend Christmas together by alternating as hostesses? One year can be at my house, and the following at yours. Of course, we will need to have a Christmas in our childhood home as well. I thought that we could do so this year? By then we will both be mothers with our own bundles of joy. I am sure that Mama would love to see her grandchildren, Father as well. The house must be empty without us, however, judging by their last visit to us here in London, they do not look strained.

  Aunt Deborah and Uncle Noah send their love and request that you visit them before the year is out. I was with them just yesterday, and they are still the same adorable couple that we love. If we think about it, they also had a part to play in my happiness. To think that Uncle Noah had once wished to lay a hand on Anthony for my honour. Today, they are great friends. They will be leaving soon to travel to each of their children's homes and will be away for several months.

  I ran into Miss Lambert during my time at the seamstress. She did not say much to me, but I did notice that she is not the same woman. Gone is that hard glint in her eyes. I honestly do not wish her any ill, and neither does Anthony.

  That is all the news that I have at this moment. I look forward to hearing from you.

  Your Loving Sister,

  Eliza

  Elizabeth folded the letter once and slipped it into an envelope. The postmaster would arrive that evening to do one last round of mail. She would give it to him then. The piece that Anthony was playing ended on a sweet note. Rather than wait for him to come to her, she went to him and placed her arms about him.

  “That was lovely, Anthony. I am sure that our baby will love it.”

  He lifted her arms to turn around, making her sit in his lap once he was facing her. He placed one hand on her belly.

  “It shall not be long before this little one greets the world. Have I ever told you how happy I am and how much I love you?”

  She smiled. “Yes, several times a day.”

  “Then it is not enough. It needs to be every minute of every day.”

  “I believe that you have already achieved that. You show your love for me in little ways and big ways. Every time I sit in my armchair, I am reminded of your love. When I sleep in our new bedroom, I am reminded of your love. Hearing you play the lullaby is a reminder of your love. I am surrounded by your love, Anthony, and there is not a place that I would rather be than in your arms.”

  “Good, because I shall never let you go.”

  She laughed and kissed his brow. "Is that a threat?"

  “No, a promise. I shall follow you wherever you may go – you will never be rid of me.”

  “I would never wish to be rid of you. I do not think that I could survive a day without you. Or perhaps I may survive, but I shall not be living. How did we come to be so dependent on each other?”

  “I suppose that a love like ours only comes once in a lifetime, and once you find it, you never wish to be apart from the person you love.”

  What he said was true for she felt it keenly every day. Her life was entwined with his, and his with hers.

  “We are hopelessly in love, and happily so.”

  Right then the baby kicked where Anthony had his hand. He looked at her in wonder. “I think I just felt a little hand,” he said.

  “I believe that was the baby's way of including itself in our conversation.”

  Her husband's eyes grew misty as he gazed at her. He laid his head gently on her belly, hugging her to him. Elizabeth stroked his hair, loving this beautiful moment with her little family. This was all she never knew she wanted. They sat like this for some time, not moving. As the sun set and cast shadows in the room, she knew that not even darkness could extinguish their light.

  THE END

  Can't get enough of Elizabeth and Lord Cavendish?

  Then make sure to check out the Extended Epilogue to find out…

  How big a family will the happy couple have created in 10 years’ time?

  How does Emily’s daughter bond with her grandmother over music?

  What wonderful change occurred in Elizabeth’s parent’s marriage?

  Click the link or enter it into your browser

  http://bridgetbarton.com/elizabeth

  (After reading the Extended Epilogue, turn the page to read the first chapters from “A Charming Lady for the Intriguing Baronet”, my Amazon Best-Selling novel!)

  A Charming Lady for the Intriguing Baronet

  Introduction

  If Selina had her way, she would gladly marry a commoner and live out her days in pure happiness. Meeting Alex reinforces her belief that the life that she has dreamed about may be right in front of her. But then she discovers Alex’s true identity! How could she understand the reasons behind his little trickery and be open to explore their powerful connection?

  Alexander Russell, the sixth Baronet of Chesterfield, knows that he bears the heavy duty of producing an heir. Moreover, he is no ignorant to women trying to trap him into marriage, and that only makes him shy away from marrying. Until he meets Selina who is a breath of fresh air! She gives him hope, only to take it away when she rejects him for the very reason that makes him the most eligible bachelor for miles around. Can he convince her that he is “the one” for her?

  Their first encounter was what connected them but also what kept them apart. Even if Selina can't forget, will she be able to forgive Alexander, and finally admit her growing feelings towards him? Can the charming Baronet compensate for a rocky start and earn Selina’s trust so that they can overcome the obstacles and experience this electric connection between them?

  Chapter 1

  Selina believed that there was simply nothing better than solitude and the beauty of nature.

  “I would be quite content to spend my days gazing upon all that is natural about me. I sincerely doubt that even our greatest architects shall be able to effectively emulate the colours, vibrancy and aliveness of nature. That job has solely been left to the artists.”

  She lay on her back, linking her fingers behind her head. There was no one to judge her here; it was just her and the woodland creatures that were curiously peeking out of their nests and burrows, staring at her. Selina had left the well-manicured lawns of the estate to venture farther out, seeking inspiration.

  “None was to be had in the house, not with Mama and Aunt judging my every move. They would surely scold me for the state of my hands and dress!”

  She sat up, turning her hands over and grimacing at the smudge of charcoal.

  “I would not care to be filthy, but Mama does become rather tedious about my level of cleanliness.”

  Her dress had handprints along the front and the sides, offending black smudges that stood out against the light blue of her cotton dress.

  “I suppose my choice of dress has not helped my cause either. However, I am quite sure that Teresa shall remove these stains in a wink of an eye. That woman is an absolute whiz with stains.”

  The laundry maid of the estate had thus far managed to remove every stain that Selina had managed to find during her walks. A quickly-snatched custard from the kitchen was payment enough for the sweet maid. “Ophelia may have met her match in Teresa. They both enjoy an abundance of sweet treats. I do feel somewhat envious of their ability to consume large quantities of sweets and yet retain their slender forms. I need only look at a sweet pastry to find a sudden increase in girth.”

  Selina was by no means large, but she had a pleasant plumpness that could easily tip a scale in the wrong direction if she were not mindful of her dessert intake. The daily walks that she took were helpful in keeping her form within society’s standards.

  “Heaven forbid I should suddenly take on the likeness of a stuffed pig – Mama would be mortified.”

  Her mother certainly meant well, but her eagerness to keep within the accepted rules of social customs was enough to have Selina chomping at the bit. She flopped onto her back once more and admi
red the clouds in all their misshapen glory. As children, Selina and her sister used to cloud gaze, picking out the different shapes and naming them.

  Ophelia would often see castles, knights in their armour, and even princes on their noble steeds, whereas Selina would see great battles being fought, animals trotting about, and landscapes just waiting to be sketched. Of course, it was all subjective, but it was an enjoyable pastime. Ophelia rarely cloud gazed, as she was more concerned with the fashion, music, and socialising. However, they still spent a significant amount of time together, giggling and conspiring as only sisters can do.