He drew strength from his parent’s support and pushed his doubts back into the dark where they belonged. He would bring Aggie and the baby through this frightening time and he would do it no matter the emotional cost to himself. He would be there for his wife and she would know his love for her has no boundaries because there is nothing he would not do for his beloved Aggie.
He needed to make his mother understand that she was not responsible for today’s events. But first, he needed to know what happened, and whoever was responsible for his wife’s distress would pay a very high price. And that was an oath he vowed to keep.
Chapter 9
For the next three weeks, her husband was true to his word and never left her side except when she slept. She knew that because, on more than one occasion, she would wake and catch him reading by her bedside. When he was absent, either Gertrude or Gladys would be in his place. She was never left alone.
She tried to keep Hiram at arm’s length when it came to her personal bathing habits. It was a bit awkward to be completely bare before a man who hadn’t even shared her marriage bed. But he was considerate and kind, and after a time, she admitted to herself, with some guilt, that she found herself looking forward to bath time with her husband. She blushed at the thought.
“What are you thinking about?” Hiram’s voice pulled her from her thoughts.
“What makes you think I’m thinking anything at all?” She played coy, embarrassed to have been caught thinking about her husband in that manner.
“Well, you’re either thinking about something that has made you blush, or you’re flushed. Either way, I wonder at the cause,” he teased.
She sent him an innocent look, but she knew he was very observant and probably knew exactly what she had been thinking. And that thought made her blush even more.
His deep laugh pulled her gaze to his. “I wanted to ask if you would be uncomfortable if I moved my things into your room? Just until the baby is born, of course. I would be close by if something should happen during the night. And if I were with you, it would be easier for me to get some sleep.” He listed out all of his reasons in a logical manner.
She saw the sparkle in his eye and knew he wanted to be close to her for more than reasons of concern. And it didn’t bother her in the least. In fact, she looked forward to having him nearby. She felt safe and warm and she loved it. She wanted to fall asleep each night cradled in each other’s arms with their growing baby cradled between them.
He caressed her legs, her feet, and her arms. She had to admit, she found his attentions quite enchanting and relaxing. But when he undid her long curls and brushed her hair, his strong fingers massaging her scalp, she thought she might have died and gone to heaven. He was so gentle. And sweet. And as much as she feared a different outcome, she allowed her doubts to succumb to his fierce determination that everything would turn out fine.
“Would you like to play chess this morning after breakfast? And then we could read after lunch if you’d like? I had my father go by the bookstore and bring home a new mystery novel.”
“I would love that,” she admitted, “but only if you will let me help you with your legal briefs this afternoon. And if the afternoon is warm, perhaps we could push my bed near the window to catch a warm breeze. I miss the feel of sunshine on my face. And I love the smell of your mother’s lilac bushes in the breeze.”
“Anything for you, my dear.”
Aggie loved Hiram’s sense of humor and sometimes he would regale her with such stories she would have to tell him to stop for fear her constant laughing would bring labor on sooner. Then she would have to assure him she was fine because he worried about her so.
“My mother and father want to know if it would be alright if they came to visit you this evening after dinner? Mother still feels guilty about the infamous tea party.”
“I would love to see them, Hiram. I want to have another opportunity to tell your mother to stop feeling guilty. If it wasn’t for her, that horrid Miss Spencer would have gotten the better of me, I fear.”
“Speaking of the infamous tea party, I forgot to tell you about the conversation Father had with Prudence’s husband.”
“Please, tell me everything,” Aggie implored. She hoped the woman got her comeuppance for being so insufferably demanding.
“Very well. First, Father and I prepared a lawsuit that named Prudence Pendergast, and her husband, as defendants and that you and I were suing them for malicious intent.”
“Malicious intent?” Aggie couldn’t fathom how he was going to prove that in a court of law, but she was certainly open to his attempts.
“Yep. I explained that it was his wife who, through the use of intimidation, had my mother extend an invitation to not only her, but several of her friends. They were to attend a tea party given at our residence. Unbeknownst to us, its sole purpose was to upset my expectant wife. And, when Mrs. Pendergast arrived, she had taken it upon herself to invite a woman to accompany her that verbally attacked my wife. Since Miss Spencer came as Mrs. Pendergast’s guest, she was being held responsible for the consequences as they played out that day.”
Aggie was intrigued by her husband’s legal genius. “Tell me, how did Mr. Pendergast feel about being included in the consequences of his wife’s tea party fiasco?”
“Well, I’m happy to say that Mr. Pendergast, Henry, was so disturbed and troubled by the threatened lawsuit and the detriment it might cause to his business, he insisted his wife produce a letter of apology immediately. But when Mother turned the messenger away with the letter unopened three times, Prudence showed up herself and insisted upon gaining entrance to apologize to you personally. Mother said she thought she was going to have to call the constable to have the woman removed from our doorstep.”
Aggie grinned as visions of Prudence Pendergast’s mortification at being the center of attention in a possible lawsuit came to mind. That information would certainly put a damper on her social status around Boston. She almost felt sorry for the woman. Almost.
“Shall we play cards until breakfast arrives?” he offered and pulled out a deck of cards.
Aggie propped herself up with a great many voluminous pillows. “Deal the cards, my crafty barrister. I intend to beat you soundly and take all your money.” She laughed at her preposterous prediction and studied her husband over the top of the cards he dealt her.
“What has happened with Prudence and the lawsuit if your mother will not accept her letter of apology?” Aggie wondered.
“Mr. Pendergast promised he would consider moving his wife to Philadelphia and closer to her mother if we would consider dropping the lawsuit.” Hiram glanced at her over his cards and grinned.
“And are you? Dropping the lawsuit?” Aggie was awed at the power her husband welded and even more in awe to know that he would weld it on her behalf. The knowledge was quite powerful.
“I told him I would think about it, but only if he could prove he was willing to move to Philadelphia. The man was nearly overcome with laughter at my comment. When I questioned him about it, he said he wasn’t moving. He liked Boston. But he had no qualms in moving his wife.”
Aggie couldn’t help but laugh. She could only imagine the look on Prudence Pendergast’s face when her husband laid that bit of information on the woman who thought she welded the power in that family.
“Um, what about the other woman? That Miss Abigail Spencer? She seemed a bit unstable if you ask me,” Aggie admitted. She tried not to think about the woman’s insinuation that she and Hiram were more than friends even after she and Hiram were married.
She glanced at her husband and found him watching her intently over his cards. Her face heated because she sensed he knew exactly what she was thinking. But after all he had done to care for her, she wouldn’t insult him by asking him if the woman’s allegations were true.
“Aggie, Mother told me what Miss Spencer said to you in front of everyone at the tea party. You haven’t asked me about it so I’m hopeful
you already know that the woman and I were barely acquaintances, and we were certainly not friends. And I swear unequivocally that we were never lovers. The woman is mad.” Hiram shook his head in disgust. “Truly Aggie, I hardly know the woman and may have crossed paths with her less than a half a dozen times since she’s been here. She’s an odd duck to say the least.”
“I will admit that past experience had me second guessing as to whether the woman’s accusations were true, but then I thought about how loving and devoted you are to me. It didn’t make any sense you would work so hard to keep me here and entertain a paramour on the side. So, no, Hiram. I don’t believe the woman’s obvious rantings. What was Miss Spencer’s fate after the party?” Aggie found herself wanting to know.
“After her unstable behavior at the party, I contacted her aunt whom she has been staying with this last year, and informed her aunt and uncle that they should consider having her spend some extended time away from Boston. Perhaps in a quiet residence where she can get some much-needed help by professionals who have the expertise to deal with whatever it is that ails her mental stability.” Hiram smiled at her and reached over the table and pulled her hand into his.
She could see his love for her shining in his eyes. The good Lord had surely known what he was doing when he sent Hiram to get her in Savannah.
“I wasn’t worried, Hiram. Not really.” She wondered what her mother-in-law had told him, if anything, about the concerns she had regarding James and Margaret that day. She very much doubted it, but if she had, perhaps she should be honest with Hiram where she had not been with James. “As I said, there was a small grain of doubt that might have popped into my mind that day. The woman seemed very sure of herself when she proclaimed that you and she…had been…close.” Aggie stammered through her words trying to convey her message without saying the word ‘lover’.
She didn’t want to think about her husband with anyone. It shouldn’t bother her if they had been together before she and Hiram were married, but it had been hard to ignore the woman’s bold statement that they were together the Friday before the party. That is what picked at her heart.
“Tell me what’s on your mind, Aggie. I can tell something is bothering you,” Hiram pleaded with her.
“I’m not bothered. Not exactly. I mean I was surprised at the woman’s claim. You had been so attentive to me even through all of my doubts and denials. And then I reminded myself that I hadn’t been much of a wife to you the first few months of our marriage, so I really couldn’t blame you if you had sought comfort in the arms of another woman, even that one. And yet, I found myself doing just that. I wondered if you had strayed—”
“Aggie, my beautiful sweet wife. I am so devoted to you, there is no chance in this life, or any other, that another woman could ever turn my head, or my heart, from you. That is a promise I can make without hesitation.” He leaned close to kiss her when a jolt of realization hit her like a lightning bolt from a thunderstorm.
“What’s wrong, Aggie? Are you alright? You look shocked. Or flushed. I’m not sure which. Should I call for the doctor? Talk to me, Aggie. Tell me what’s wrong.”
Hiram knelt beside the bed and peered up at her, his face creased in worry. “Can I get you some water? I’ll send Jeffrey for the doctor—”
She blushed. “No. Hiram. Please don’t worry. I’m alright.” She looked down at her husband and caressed his face in her palm relishing the warmth. Knowing this man adored her, loved her, and cherished her, she could finally acknowledge that she adored him in return. No, that wasn’t exactly the whole truth. She realized in those few moments, that she had fallen in love with her best friend.
“Aggie, please. Answer me. Tell me what’s wrong. If you are okay, then why did you stop talking and why do you look so stricken?” Hiram asked.
“I stopped talking because I just realized something,” she admitted.
“What? What did you realize?” His anxiety evident on his face. She wouldn’t cause him to worry a minute longer.
“I just realized that I’m in love with my husband.”
Hurt and disappointment darkened his gaze. “I’m aware that you are still grieving for James, Aggie.”
“Oh, Hiram. I’m so sorry. I wasn’t clear in my meaning. Yes, I will admit that I do think of James from time to time. And, although I do still grieve for the life that was taken from us, you are my friend, and I shall be forever grateful and proud to call you my husband.”
“I’ll always be your friend, Aggie. No matter what else comes between us.” His sadness was hard to watch. She had to make him understand.
“Hiram, what I’m so clumsily trying to convey to you is that somewhere between homesickness, desperation, and depression, I have grown to respect, honor, and appreciate the kind and generous man you are.
“And, even more importantly, I have realized that I have fallen hopelessly in love with you, my dear, sweet Hiram.”
The dazed look she saw on his face did her heart good.
Chapter 10
Aggie opened her eyes to brilliant sunshine streaming through her bedroom window. Hiram had let her oversleep, again.
She looked over at the rumpled sheets where her husband had been sleeping for the last week to find it empty. Suddenly, her bedroom door swung open and Hiram swept through it with a tray ladened with food. When he caught sight of her, he gifted her with a wide happy grin. “Good afternoon, beautiful.”
“Afternoon? Oh my goodness. Well, good afternoon to you, handsome.” Her cheeky grin would have seemed outrageous if not for the lovely week they had shared together. After all, they were an old married couple now and expecting a child.
“That’s a lot of food you have there.” She laughed as he set the tray down on the table next to the bed.
“I asked Cook to make a lunch fit for a king…and queen since you slept through breakfast. You have steadily improved since your collapse at the tea party and I am so happy your appetite is improving as much as your color. You look almost—”
“Healthy?” she offered.
“Um, yes, I suppose that is a word we can use, although I was going to say breathtaking.”
“I’m almost breathtaking? I think I’m offended,” she teased and pulled a piece of fresh tomato off the plate and bite into the juicy wedge. “Mmmm. This tastes wonderful.” She grinned at Hiram’s chagrin as she turned his words around. “I’m only kidding. I truly feel better with each day that passes. And it is all because of your tender loving care.”
“We only have another month to go, my sweet. Just four more weeks and our precious child will be nestled in your arms.” Hiram’s joy at the impending birth was wonderful to witness. It was an extraordinary man indeed who looked forward to raising another man’s child with all the love and affection of a real father. An extraordinary man indeed.
“Here, let me fill your plate.” Hiram dipped a hearty pile of freshly peeled orange slices, a small mound of salad topped with sunflower seeds, and some of Cook’s marvelous strawberry dressing made fresh from Gertrude’s garden strawberries. When he was finished, he set the plate in front of her, snapped a fresh white linen napkin in place, and bowed to her over the fork he handed her.
She giggled like a silly schoolgirl. She couldn’t seem to help herself. He was so charming, and he had grown more handsome with each passing day.
“Hiram, do you think we could ask the doctor if it would be permissible for me to get out of bed. Just for a little while. Maybe we could acquire one of those chairs with wheels and you could roll me down to the garden. Just for a bit. I’m so tired of being in this bed.” She stabbed at the mound of salad and tried a mouthful.
“I’m not sure that would be allowed, Aggie. The doctor said your condition is very serious and things can change at any moment. I’d rather not do anything contrary to the doctor’s advice.” Hiram ate his own lunch in a flurry of silverware.
“But I feel so much better. I even feel better than I did before I left Savannah. Even
then I felt tired and exhausted all the time. Now I know why. It’s a miracle that I didn’t lose the baby through everything that happened. The shock of James’ death. The loss of my home. The rough passage on the privateer’s ship up the coast.
“We are so lucky, Hiram. So very, very lucky.” She caressed her growing belly. “Look at how much the baby has grown in such a short time. Do you think it will be a boy?” She wondered if it would look like James’s side of the family with dark hair and dark eyes or hers all blonde curls and blue eyes.
“Yes, my love. We are so very lucky.” He leaned over and placed a tiny kiss on her hand that was caressing her belly. As he rose, Aggie surprised him, by pulling him to her lips. The kiss, started out tender and sweet, but soon it transformed into one of passion.
Aggie watched as Hiram set their food tray aside and pushed her gently back onto the bed against her pillows. He held her curious gaze with his and walked to his side of the bed. The look he gave her set her blood on fire. His shirt landed on the bedroom floor and he climbed into bed and settled himself next to her. Hiram extended his arm offering her a place to rest next to him.
She scooted up in the bed and snuggled into the curve of his arm leaning her cheek against his chest. She heard the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. She smiled to herself at how safe and loved she felt.
“I can feel you grinning, Aggie. What are you thinking about?” Hiram’s voice vibrated in his chest muffling the sound in her ear.
“I was just thinking about how much has changed since we left Savannah. And I’m amazed, and grateful, at how we ended up here.”
“I hope you’re also happy that we ended up here.” Hiram rubbed her arm as he gently secured her against him. “I know I am.”
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