by Raine Miller
“This letter is from Mamma. She says Mr. Thornton is recently widowed and without an heir. He has a profitable estate and a good income. She says he is from the neighbouring parish. He has been a regular at church and offered to Papa for her hand. Jocelyn has accepted him. He must have noticed her at church. Cariss, what can you tell us of him?” Mina sounded still disbelieving.
“I have seen Mr. Thornton a time or two. He is very solemn and quiet, a mature gentleman, who always comes to church alone. His comportment seems rather severe, actually. I don’t recall him attending anything social, like an assembly or a gathering on a feast day. I think Papa tried to draw him out in conversation, but with little success.” Cariss provided what little information she knew.
“But, Mina, he is more than twice her age! Why would Jocelyn agree to marry such a man, especially if he is severe and cold as Cariss says? How could she have an attachment, or feel obliged to accept him?” Imogene suddenly felt the twinges of her earlier nausea return to lick at her insides.
“I cannot imagine what would persuade her to do such a thing, only thinking that if he is in need of an heir, he has chosen her because she is young…” Mina trailed off and Jocelyn’s situation hung in the spring air, for all to ponder. “He is well placed financially from what Mamma says. Perhaps my sister feels the need to be independent of them now that we are all married.”
“Oh, dear God. It is unconscionable to me that she would sacrifice herself so. I cannot believe what I am hearing. She has settled for him, and now she has to live with that choice.” Feeling very upset, Imogene complained, “I am sorry, but I think it’s dreadful.”
“I was thinking the same thing, Imogene. Oh, Jocelyn, what have you done? I pray there is a good outcome in this.” Mina now had tears visible in her eyes.
Imogene’s stomach was roiling wickedly now, the news of her friend making her well and truly sick. She leapt up out of her chair and thrust the baby toward the nearest pair of arms that happened to be Colin’s. “Excuse me. I beg your pardons, I think I’m going to be sick!” Clamping a hand over her mouth, she ran, making it only as far as the hedge before everything came up.
Imogene was out of view, but certain everyone could hear her retching. The mortification distressed her further as well as the crying that accompanied her embarrassment. The calm voice of her sister and the soothing hands that held her hair back were welcome. “There now, Im, it’s all right. Breathe and it will pass.” Philippa rubbed her back and continued to hold her hair away. “Come, let me help you to your room so you can lie down.”
COLIN was still holding baby Gwendolyn when Philippa turned back and called to him, “Thank you, Mr. Everley. I’ll send the nurse down to take her. I’m just going to help Imogene up to her room right now.”
“Not to worry, Mrs. Brancroft, I am delighted to hold your daughter. If we get into trouble I’ll call upon one of the ladies.”
Graham came striding right up, a frown darkening his features. “Why are you holding the baby? I saw Imogene running into the hedge. What has happened?”
“Easy, Brother,” Colin admonished. “It was imperative. She got sick in the hedge and her sister is taking her back to the house.”
“Sick?” he bellowed. “Good God! She has not been truly well the whole of this trip.”
He made a move toward following them, but Colin stilled his arm. “I think you should wait, Graham. Leave them to it for now. She received some distressing news about her friend Jocelyn Charleston and the shock of it made her sick. I saw the whole thing.”
“I’m getting Brancroft. I want him to examine her right now.” He stalked off to find his brother-in-law, Dr. Brancroft, who was shooting targets with Elle and Nicky Hargreave.
You, my brother, are a lovesick mess. Colin had yet to fully witness the complete personality change in his brother—and in such a short amount of time—and only since meeting Imogene.
But he was happy they had found each other.
Happy that Graham and Imogene could find something he didn’t think was possible for him to ever know.
“WELL, Sister, I am confident it is as you suspect.” John smiled at her. “Congratulations, little mother. Late November should be your time. You are to drink plenty of water and light on the wine, for it can bring on a headache. Rest as you feel you need to. The nausea should pass in a few weeks so until then try to avoid the foods that bother you. Your sister had a pretty easy time of it, so hopefully you will as well. If you have any bleeding, even just spots, or painful cramping, you are to get off your feet and call for me at once. Other than that, you may remain as you are in your usual activities, riding and such, at least for now.”
“Thank you, John. We are so lucky to have you. I know I am in excellent hands.” She smiled dreamily up at him. “I am happy.”
“I can see that you are, and we are very happy for you as well. Now, my dear, there is a beastly man just outside that door. He is growling and fussing something terrible in his worry over you. You ought to have some mercy on him before he does himself harm and then I have another patient on my hands. What do you say to letting him in?”
“Let him in, Dr. Brancroft!”
John stepped out into the hall and conferred with Graham briefly before the sound of his retreating footsteps told Imogene he had left them alone.
Graham approached her tentatively where she sat on the couch. He knelt at her feet and put his head in her lap. She stroked his hair. “How are you, chérie? Are you well now? John didn’t tell me anything. He said you could tell me. I have been very worried about you.” He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her palm.
“I am well, my darling, and you have no need to worry over me for I am not ill.”
“But Colin said you got sick in the hedge when you got some bad news about Jocelyn Charleston, and you have been very tired.”
“Well, I am distressed about Jocelyn but I can do nothing about it. I hope she will be happy in her choice and I wish her all the best. As for the other symptoms, I am told they are perfectly normal.” He looked at her questioningly, patient and calm, waiting for her to continue. “I am sorry for all of the dramatics of late. I fear you will be the one to bear the brunt of my sensitive, idiotic emotions.” She put her knuckles up to his cheek. “Graham, darling, how would you feel if I told you that you were to be a father?” It was a joy to see the look of comprehension and then happiness take over his countenance and Imogene thought she would never forget it, as long as she lived.
“ENCEINTE,” he breathed out as his eyes widened. “My God. For truth, chérie?” He jumped up next to her on the couch, drawing her into his arms. “I am—we are blessed. You will be the best, most beautiful, most perfect mother to our child.” He laughed, unable to control his emotions. “I am to be a father. Some little person will call me Papa. Extraordinary… Are you happy, chérie? I think you wanted this.”
“I am deliriously happy, my darling. We have made a child together.” She reached for his face. “You will be such a wonderful father. I can’t wait to see you in the role.”
He pictured himself as a father to their child, and it was a most wonderful vision. “Our child.” He put his hand over her very flat stomach, bending to kiss her there. “Our baby is right here, sleeping and growing inside you. I feel filled-up with happiness and love, chérie. Please tell me everything that John has said to you.”
She relayed John’s orders. “He said my time will come in late November.”
Graham smiled at that. Realizing that their baby would be born at exactly one year from the time they first met, he pondered the blessings being given to him. Knowing that even though he didn’t deserve such miracles, he would grasp onto them anyway. He would take Imogene’s love and the blessing of their child, and cherish his gifts in full measure.
Family…
His family was being restored, and nothing—nothing—not a person, or a curse, or a sin from the past, would be allowed to take his family from him again.
BUT the monster came for him in a dream that very night, not willing or able to leave him to his comfort in Imogene’s joyful news.
…He tried desperately to fight it off. This time the monster slithered around his legs, trapping him, trying to bring him down to the ground. From behind, he could hear the mother screaming, and her child crying. He struggled in vain to get his feet free so he could help them. The monster had him around the neck now, choking the breath from him. Straining mightily, he could do nothing to free himself from its grasp. It was going to kill him—
Bolting awake, he breathed deeply attempting to calm his wildly beating heart and to avoid disturbing Imogene.
He would have to tell her all of it.
He knew he couldn’t go on like this.
He’d go mad.
The guilt was going to kill him as surely as a draught of poison.
THE ball was the first formal occasion given by the Everleys of Everfell, and since it was a celebration in honor of the Rothvale marriage, it really served two purposes.
Imogene felt like a princess in the lustrous, silvery ball gown, adorned with the emerald and pearl jewels Graham had given her. She also wore the pearl and diamond tiara that had belonged to his grandmother, as it was reminiscent of a bridal wreath. He complemented her colours with a new formal coat in dark green.
Imogene was relieved to know that of the three waltzes played tonight, two would be danced with her husband. They would lead on the dance floor to open the ball and would do so again for the final dance to close it. Both would give the other waltz to their hosts—Imogene would dance with Jules, and Graham with Mina.
“You look ravishing, chérie, and I am so happy right now, with you in my arms, dancing the waltz with you. No problem or worry is going to reach down into this night to cloud the moment for me.”
“I am happy, too, so happy, so blessed. And you—you look just as ravishing, my lord, but then you have always looked so to me.”
“And, chérie, are you well? I want you to enjoy the dancing, but if you start to feel the slightest bit unsteady or queasy, you are to tell me right away, so I can escort you out.” He spoke with great concern. “Please tell me you’ll say if you feel unwell.”
“I promise, my darling, I absolutely will. Now you must promise me that you will not worry overmuch or succumb to fussing. I want you to enjoy the evening as well. Won’t you take pleasure in the company of your friend Mr. Gravelle this eve? You have not had his companionship for a long time.”
“Chérie, your concern for me touches my heart. I promise to enjoy the evening, but can honestly say it will be near impossible for me not to fuss over you when I know you are enceinte. How can I not? You are more precious to me than words can convey. And now that you carry our child, I know I’ll not be able to keep from thinking about it no matter how hard I try. As for Gravelle, I’d like to invite him for a stay with us. What do you think?”
“I think you should invite him. It’s always good to have your friends by your side.”
CLIVE Gravelle and Colin Everley both watched dancing couples circling the ballroom.
“Look at Pellton ogling Elle. God! She is a young girl and he is an ill repute of the worst kind. I don’t like how he is looking at her like she is something to be devoured.” That Colin Everley was clearly not amused with any man looking at Ellenora Vickering was evident even to Gravelle’s unpolished eye.
“Yes, well he is admiring her to be sure, but, Everley, you must realize she is as good as grown-up now and beautiful. It is to be expected that men will look at her.”
“Bleh, Pellton though. He is not trustworthy. Have you heard some of the stories about him?” Everley snorted in disgust, his arms folded. “I cannot fathom why Jules even extended him an invitation tonight.”
“If you are so concerned about her maybe you should alert her cousin, Nicky Hargreave.
He kills men for a living, being in the Army.”
“True, but he is busy at the moment dancing with Cariss Wilton, and from the looks of him, he is oblivious to everything else,” Everley said dryly.
“I see what you mean.” Gravelle frowned, watching every move of the smiling colonel dancing with the lovely Miss Wilton. The colonel looked a little too entranced for his liking. “And what of your journey together from Kent? I hear you escorted her, and she was a girl all alone,” he charged.
“What? What do you imply, Gravelle? Her parents asked if I would. They know and trust me. Cariss is the best sort of girl and I consider her family, like a sister really. They couldn’t send her up in a coach on her own, now could they? I rode outside the coach and saw that she was safely delivered. God! Why am I explaining all this ridiculousness to you?” He grew flustered. “Gravelle, I think you have an itch for Cariss Wilton. Do us all a favour and ask her to dance, would you?”
Everley stalked off, leaving a chastened Gravelle standing at the edge of the ballroom, his eyes never wavering from the charming Cariss. He moved forward, his mind decided. But before he could reach her across the room, that rakehell Edgar Pellton stepped up and claimed the dance.
Gravelle did not like that. His eyes narrowed and his frown deepened, and he clenched his fists as he watched Pellton dance with the most beautiful girl in the room.
No, he did not like it one bit.
ON the other side of the ballroom, Jules and Graham surveyed the dancing. “Did you know, Graham, how Nicky once told me he would have offered for Mina first, if she had promised a greater dowry? Sometimes the way he looks at her, like right now—God, I hate it. I hate the way he looks at her.”
“Jules, he does no harm. You can trust him with your life, and your wife. This I know to be true,” Graham admonished his cousin. “He is a hard-working soldier in the British Army. Nicky is entitled to a little diversion of a beautiful woman on a dance floor. I think you could give him that.”
“Oh, really? Is that what you think? You know, Graham, you should count your blessings he did not get wind of Imogene before you did. With her fortune and rank, she is exactly the kind of wife he needs. My uncle, Sir Thomas, said as much to me. He is quite vexed you won her and not Nicky—or me for that matter.” He rolled his eyes and shook his head in disgust.
Graham scowled and his lip curled. “That is just out of bounds,” he snorted. “You know, I’ve never cared much for your uncle. He is a pompous ass, most severe.”
“True that, Graham.” Jules had to agree.
IN the early hours of the morning as the ball quietly came to a close, and the many guests had departed, the family gathered at the foot of the grand stairwell to say goodnight.
“The ball was just lovely, Mina. You are sure to be hailed as the hostess of the shire. Thank you again for honoring us.” Imogene expressed her gratitude.
“Our pleasure, Imogene. I had a fabulous time myself. And Elle and Cariss, how did you find the evening?”
“It was perfect,” Elle answered.
Cariss announced, “I can’t remember when I’ve had a better ball.”
Mina glowed with satisfaction. “Well, we should do it again, soon, since this was such a success. What do you say, Julian?”
“Yes, of course.” Jules lied to his wife. “Whatever you wish, my dearest.”
Colin raised his eyebrows, thinking he could do without the slathering dogs after Elle.
God! Must we? Graham thought, as he gazed adoringly at his bride.
TWENTY-TWO
Because the birthday of my life
Is come, my love is come to me.
Christina Rossetti ~ ‘A Birthday’, 1862
THE return to Gavandon after a fortnight at Everfell was welcome. For all that they had relished being with family, it was good to be home again. Imogene delighted in having Cariss return with her and was happy Colin could stay at Gavandon for a month, which she knew, was easing for Graham.
There was also the additional appreciation of moving back into their old rooms. The renovations and bathing r
oom addition were now complete. Imogene was more than satisfied with her redecorated chamber. The wall coverings, upholsteries and bed trimmings were reflective of her. It was now a soothing and peaceful retreat, reminiscent of nature. But the piece de resistance however, was the massive portrait Tristan had done of Terra and Triton on the grounds of Gavandon. To Imogene, it was breathtaking. On their first night back, Graham had come in to find her sitting on the floor hugging her knees, gazing up at it in rapt meditation.
“There you are, chérie. Ah, are you enjoying your new painting?”
“Oh, Graham, I love it. It is just what I like, and my rooms—they are perfect.” She held her arms up. “All of this. It’s so, so perfect and beautiful, a comfortable sanctuary I shall adore.”
Graham sat down on the floor next to her, slowly perusing the finished room. “Chérie, I am thrilled that they are as you wish them to be. May I say that you have made excellent selections. The palette of colours is divine and suits you so well. You have created a space that reflects you, totally. The blues, and greens, the warm browns, the English oak, they all work wonderfully together. Corporeal. You’ve brought the sky and the grass and the earth indoors to be enjoyed. I love it in here now, and I hope you’ll invite me in often.”
She laughed softly. “You know you are always welcome in my rooms, and are to come in whenever you wish. Now what do you think of my painting?”
“It makes the room, for truth.”
“I know it does. Tristan is so talented. I am amazed at what he can do,” Imogene agreed.
“He is unique and we are fortunate to have him here with us, but it will not always be so. Some day he will want to go…and he should. Great distinction will be his one day, I predict. Hopefully he’ll stay long enough for us to get more beautiful works like this from him.”