‘I’m very happy for you, Lady Elizabeth.’ She murmured as she held a towel out.
Elizabeth looked up sharply and almost lost her balance as she was stepping out of the tub. Mary grabbed her arm to steady her. ‘Sorry, My Lady. I shouldn’t have said that until after you were out of the bath.’ Mary said chastened by almost causing her mistress to fall. She briskly wrapped the towel around Elizabeth and ordered the maids in to empty the bath.
‘How did you know?’ Elizabeth whispered when she was at the bed.
Mary gave a small knowing smile. ‘You forget, My Lady, I’ve seen it three times already, so I know.’
‘How long have you known?’ Elizabeth asked still whispering. Mary took another towel and started to rub Elizabeth’s feet and legs.
‘I think I first suspected on Tuesday, when you looked quite pale and then when you fainted on the terrace, I was certain.’ She smiled. ‘I tried not to laugh when the Duke asked if he should get you a doctor.’
‘I’ll need to see one soon, but I don’t think I need one just yet. It’s not as if I don’t know what will happen over the next few months.’
‘Yes, My Lady. But just remember what Surgeon Adams told you the last time, no riding.’ She sighed. ‘Just a stroll in the morning, you’re not to tax yourself.’
‘Mary, you’re fussing.’ Elizabeth said firmly. ‘I promise not to ride, but other than that I won’t change anything.’
She finished drying herself and started dressing in the clothes Mary laid out for her. She carefully pulled on her chemise and tied the ribbons at the top. She stood looking at the stays and then picked it up, manoeuvring the small garment across her back and around her breasts. Mary helped position it correctly and started to tighten the lacings. ‘I didn’t think you would wear your stays until the heat broke, My Lady?’ Mary ventured.
‘It seems prudent to wear them now. My breasts are going to get heavy both during and after pregnancy. I think it’s best to support them from the start.’ She looked at the abbreviated corset in the mirror. ‘Just don’t pull the laces too tight. I still would like to be able to breath.’ She slipped her stocking on and adjusted the garters until they were comfortable.
Mary fetched a very pretty petticoat out of the drawer and Elizabeth nodded resignedly. ‘I suppose if I must.’ She said and Mary helped lift it over her head. Her ensemble was finished with a fine lawn top dress, which was split down the front to display the petticoat, in a pale lemon. Mary pinned her hair up, leaving most of it free to dry and Elizabeth put on her shoes and went down to breakfast.
John Argyll, Duke of Goring, was quite aware how difficult it was for him, to be in this house almost alone with Elizabeth, Countess of Craanford. He had made Mrs. Simmons aware of his discomfort on the first morning after his mother took Sarah back to London. He could imagine them up to their armpits in lace and finery, visiting every couturiére in London for the right gown and accessories. He shuddered at the thought and was glad he was here for the moment. Mrs. Simmons had ordered one of the footmen to be with Lady Elizabeth and the Duke at all times. It was probably unnecessary as Elizabeth’s maid, Mary was always sat in the corner, sewing.
Elizabeth breezed through the door with a bright ‘Good Morning!’ for him. She was dressed in a pale lemon gown of exquisite cut, which highlighted the rich colour of her hair. She sat gracefully in her place as Mrs. Simmons laid a plate in front of her.
‘Just some toast, please Mrs. Simmons.’ She said as she eyed the huge platters of fried food.
‘Does your Ladyship not feel well?’ Mrs. Simmons asked.
‘I feel fine, Mrs. Simmons, but I don’t fancy a huge breakfast this morning.’ She helped her herself to tea and Argyll watched her from the other side of the table. She was positively gleaming with good health. Her cheeks were rosy, her eyes were clear and bright and her hair shone in the sun filtering through the window. She also had a small secret smile on her face. Argyll had never seen a smile like that on a woman’s face before and he wondered what portent it foretold. He cleared his throat.
‘I’ve had a letter from Robbie this morning.’ He said as an opening gambit. She looked up at him and he could see the joy radiate from her.
‘What did it say?’ she asked excitedly.
‘He has released me from my promise and told me to go to London.’ He said evenly. ‘I must admit that there are issues I need to address at home, but I’m prepared to stay if you want me to.’ Argyll said softly. ‘He included a note for you.’ he said and handed over a letter.
Elizabeth broke the seal and opened it at the table. She couldn’t afford to waste time, she wanted to know what it said now!
My Dearest Elizabeth, I’ve released Johnny from his promise.
I would still wish you to stay and wait for me to return, but I understand that there will be many things to attend to and as we both wish for a speedy ceremony, I think you are right and you should go with Johnny.
‘It would appear he doesn’t object to me accompanying you either.’ She smiled up at Argyll. ‘Good, because I can’t organise anything from here. Not even a veil for my head.’ She returned her attention to the letter.
My Grandmother is excited that you accepted my proposal and she is impatient for me to get on with it. She nags me daily about when I’m going back to London. So I will be in London by the 24thand then I’ll be able to tackle our wedding.
Our Wedding. It makes me smile just to think about it. I’ll be able to call you the Duchess of Roding then.
I love you Elizabeth and I can’t get my business here finished fast enough.
With love and felicitations, Your affianced,
Robert Bosworth Esq., Duke of Roding. ‘Robert is going to be in London by the 24th.’ She said and looked up at Argyll to see him looking at her strangely. ‘What’s the matter?’
‘I was going to ask you the same thing.’ He said and frowned. ‘You fainted on the terrace the other afternoon and now you look the picture of health, but you only want toast for breakfast?’
I did too! She thought.God! It was the most embarrassing moment of my life!She had just sat down in a chair, luckily. He legs felt wobbly before she sat and then the world just darkened around the edges and she was falling out of the chair and John was holding her and calling for Mrs. Simmons.
‘What are you implying?’ Elizabeth asked rather haughtily.
‘I don’t think I’m implying anything.’ Argyll said with a laugh, ‘but when a woman smiles secretly, she has something important to tell the man in her life!’
‘Possibly I do. Maybe it’s the fact that I love him and don’t quite know why.’ She said steering him away from her health. ‘Isn’t that how you feel about Sarah?’ she asked.
‘Yes, and I probably never will understand why I love her, I just know that I do.’
‘Then we are the same.’ She smiled. ‘Put my good health down to Robert.’
Chapter 11 In health
Elizabeth was feeling quite sick in the coach. The constant motion was like being at sea and she remembered with embarrassment the only time she had sailed to Ireland.
I know I’m going to be sick in a moment! She said to herself.DO NOT BE SICK!She berated herself, as she took deep breaths and swallowed consistently. But it didn’t make any difference, she felt her stomach heave and she lurched to her feet and yanked the window down, reached out to turn the handle and in the end had no choice but to stick her head and shoulders out of the window and throw up in the road, trying desperately to keep the ribbons of her bonnet out of the stream of fluid.
The coachman heard her and slowly stopped the carriage as Argyll looked in the coach to see her body hanging through the door.
‘Elizabeth?’ he called, quite shocked. She waved her hand as she opened the door and jumped out of the coach. Argyll kicked his horse forward and trotted around the coach to find Elizabeth vomiting again in the hedgerow. He asked for the water flagon and stepped down from his horse. He pulled his large cott
on handkerchief from the turned up cuff of his jacket and soaked it in water.
By the time he got to her, Elizabeth had finished throwing up and was swallowing convulsively. She was panting and almost crying. Argyll bent over and looked in her face, swiped the wet hanky over her face and pulled her upright. ‘Well, I think I now know why you fainted on the terrace.’ He said as he lifted her chin and wiped her face again. He helped her to drink from the stone flask. She gulped at the water. ‘Take your time.’ He admonished and pulled the bottle slowly away. She gulped and panted some more.
‘Thank you.’ She managed to enunciate, but promptly bent over and evacuated her stomach again. ‘God Damn!’ she shouted and started to sob in embarrassment. ‘I’m so sorry.’ She blurted as Argyll wiped her face again.
‘Don’t be.’ He laughed. ‘I spent a couple of years in the army, so I’ve seen it and heard it all. You can’t be in the army without seeing and hearing about pregnancy and childbirth.’ He said and laughed again. ‘I’ve heard some choice language when it was delivery time! Now let’s get you back in the coach and I’ll tell you the tale of when Robbie and I had to deliver a soldiers baby because he was out on a secret mission!’ He hustled her back to the carriage and helped her up the steps. Then he went and tied his horse to the back of the carriage and stepped inside. ‘At least you didn’t throw up in here.’ He said and smiled.
‘I didn’t expect to throw up at all.’ Elizabeth said indignantly. ‘I thought it was all finished before we left.’
‘Well, morning sickness isn’t only in the mornings.’ He said gently.
‘I know. This isn’t my first baby, but if I’m lucky it will be the first one to go the full term.’
‘Do you know why you lost the other one?’ he asked delicately.
‘It was more than one,’ she almost spat and then she looked at him and moderated her voice. ‘Sorry. It’s not your fault he kicked me down the stairs!’
‘Is that what Craanford did?’ he asked aghast.
‘Yes. The moment I told him I was with child he took me to the top of the staircases and kicked me down to the front door.’ She looked out of the window and into the past. ‘The first one miscarried that night, so when I became pregnant again I didn’t tell him until I was three months gone and he did the same thing. I miscarried two days later. The third child I hoped to conceal until it was at least big enough to survive premature birth, but I was wasting my time!’ she sighed. ‘He came home from his club, took his whip to me, because I was reluctant to allow him his conjugal rights and as he wrenched off my dress, he saw how swollen my stomach was and again he kicked me down the stairs. That baby was a girl and I delivered her still born at three o’clock in the morning, as the physician was trying to stop it. He told me he thought the foetus was dead, as he wasn’t sure if he could hear a heartbeat. Two contractions later she was out and lying on the sheet. Perfectly formed, except for the flat top to her head, caused by Edward’s foot.’
Argyll wished he’d not said anything, looking at the horrified expression on her face. ‘I’m sorry.’ He whispered.
She turned and smiled at him. ‘What have you to be sorry for?’
‘I didn’t mean to cause you distress.’ He said uncomfortably.
‘Well, if Robert is as gentle as he seems, I shouldn’t have any problems this time around.’ She said. ‘Anyway you were going to regale me with a tale of your midwifery skills?’
‘Well, my father, the duke, decided I should go to India for a year or so. Now he knew it was dangerous, as I was his only male heir, but he insisted. So after Eton and before Cambridge, that’s what I did. I met Robbie there, so it wasn’t all bad, but I didn’t like the heat or the flies. I was a Lieutenant and Robbie was a Captain, so he was my superior officer. Anyway, the camp had followers; it was massive really, like a moving city and the wives followed their soldier husbands. Now not all of them were English, some were half-castes and some were pure bred Indians.’
‘How did English soldiers end up with Indian wives?’ She asked surprised.
‘When you sack a fort or a town, the rape and pillage is awful and I for one don’t ever want to see it again, but some of the soldiers take a girl to protect them and then next thing they are living as man and wife and the babies are arriving. Sergeant Black had to go on a special mission with the Colonel, I won’t go into the specifics, but our platoon was gone. I was recovering from a touch of Delhi belly and Robbie had an infected sword slice on his leg that the surgeon was treating. Black’s wife was our laundress and she brought Robbie his shirts, had a laugh and a joke with us. All of a sudden her water’s broke and she was in labour there and then.’ He laughed in embarrassment. ‘Of course, I was new to all this, but Robbie steps into the breach like a surgeon. “Just sit here, Mrs. Black.” He says and helps her into his cot. He yells at the punkawallah for some hot water, lays out his shaving razor and gets a ball of string from his chest as calm as you like.’ He wiped his forehead and she could see the sweat springing out on his forehead just talking about it. ‘He does no more than lift her skirt and open her legs. I was horrified, but she didn’t seem to care as she started moaning. Robbie says. “Give me a hand here, its presenting already!” I had no idea what he meant until he told me where to stand and what he wanted me to do and as I looked at her I could see the baby’s head as clear as my hat.’ He said looking down at his headgear. ‘I have never been so shocked or astonished in my life, as I was that day. I felt honoured to have helped a life into the world. She heaved and cried, and all of a sudden this scrap of humanity slid out into Robbie’s waiting hands. He asked for the string and tied off the umbilical and then he asked for the razor. He wrapped it in one of his finest shirts and handed it to Mrs. Black.’ He smiled proudly. ‘I’m afraid we both got excessively drunk that night.’ He finished coyly. ‘But Black was very grateful when he got back, because he had a fine healthy boy.’
Elizabeth was laughing at his rendition and she could so easily see Robert doing that. ‘Well, I hope he doesn’t have to deliver ours.’ She murmured.
‘That’s better. You have some colour in your cheeks again.’ Argyll said softly. ‘Maybe you should lie down for a bit?’
She shook her head. ‘I already feel like I’m on the ocean waves. If I lie down it will only be worse. It’s better if I’m able to get to the window quickly.’ She said and smiled.
The journey was interminable but eventually they arrived at Grosvenor Square and Lady Verity was waiting for them. Argyll came in, changed his clothes and went straight to his club, where the Prince Regent was holding court.
‘Argyll! How the devil are you?’ he burst out. ‘Where have you been?’
‘I’ve been in the country your Highness.’
‘Oh! God! Don’t talk to me about the bloody country. I’ve been ensconced at Kensington Palace this month. I can’t abide the King’s idiocy anymore.’ He reached into his waistcoat, which was pulled tight over his portly stomach and pulled out a snuff box. ‘Here, try this, Argyll.’ He said tapping the box. ‘Guaranteed to make your eyes water!’ he prised the lid open and took a pinch of the aromatic powder.
Argyll didn’t particularly like snuff. He’d lost his appetite for it in India, but he took a tiny pinch, sprinkled it along his forefinger and sniffed sharply. It felt as if his sinuses were on fire! He coughed and his eyes streamed. Flicking out his linen handkerchief he sneezed copiously and blew his nose until he blew all the snuff out. ‘Yes, Your Highness,’ he spluttered between coughing bouts. ‘Its a rare snuff!’ Coughed again and shouted. ‘Bring me a bloody brandy somebody!’
The Prince was in no better condition, except he was laughing as well. ‘Told you, didn’t I?’ he said in between spluttering coughs. He blew his nose loudly on his silk handkerchief. ‘Damn me, but that was fun!’ he said jovially.
Argyll knew he should always use restraint around the Prince, but sometimes it was difficult to refuse him his entertainment. With his father’s insanity, he was
now ruler and therefore had the weight of the world on his shoulders. So, Argyll couldn’t really begrudge him a little fun over a pinch of snuff. ‘Damn me! Where’s Robbie?’ the Prince asked.
‘He’s still at Roding, seeing to estate matters and visiting his Grandmother, Your Highness.’
‘Oh! Yes!’ the Prince said in wonder. ‘I remember Robbie’s Grannie. She was a tyrant.’ He laughed suddenly. ‘I think she had her eye on Susanna becoming my wife, she certainly didn’t hide her from me when she introduced her.’
‘I remember, Your Highness.’ Argyll said calmly, for he too would always remember Robbie’s little sister with fondness. She wasn’t only beautiful and innocent, she had an impish quality about her that intrigued males over sixteen and under sixty five.
‘What happened to her?’ the Prince asked softly.
‘The morbid sore throat, Your Highness, it took them all. The only reason Robbie and his Grandmother survived was that she was still in London and Robbie was in Copenhagen with the Army.’
‘Yes, of course. I remember now. Robbie had to be recalled because he had ducal duties to perform.’ He looked at Argyll. ‘So how is the Lady Sarah?’ he asked impertinently. But then the Prince Regent did everything impertinently.
‘Lady Sarah is well and getting ready to take her marriage vows, Your Highness.’
‘Really?’ the Prince asked with his eyebrows almost at his hairline. ‘So who did Lady Verity choose for her?’
‘That would be me, Your Highness. I should never have paid for her first kiss.’
The Prince laughed delightedly. ‘Serves you right!’
‘It was worth it though.’ He smiled at the Prince. ‘Robbie is contemplating marriage too.’
‘The devil he is!’ the Prince exploded. ‘Who is he marrying?’
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