The Duke's Reform

“I hope you’ll give me permission to use this bathing room sometimes, sweetheart. I don’t have one installed at my end of the house.”

Her eyes widened. It had not occurred to her she had been moved on her own to this end of the building. He could not have made it plainer. He was giving her the freedom to choose. Her throat closed, she held out her hand and he took it. He was quite right, today was the start of a new life for both of them.

“There’s just one more thing to show you, darling, and then we shall go downstairs and eat.”

What else could there be? Hadn’t she got everything she could possibly want in this apartment? Keeping hold of her hand he led her back into the corridor and across the passage-way.

“I remembered what you said about your baby being taken away and brought up in the nursery by a regiment of nannies and nursemaids. It’s what’s customary in a household such as this but I intend to set a precedent. I hope you approve.” This time he opened the door and stepped in with her.

He had converted this suite of rooms into a nursery wing. Here there was everything a new baby could possibly require. There was even a bathing room for the use of the nursery staff as well as the baby when he or she was old enough. The rooms were freshly plastered, each with a substantial grate, but no furniture or curtains had been installed as in her own domain.

“I thought you would like to choose for yourself how this will be decorated. The nanny’s room, the nursemaids’ room and the small kitchen for making nursery teas are finished; the furniture and fittings are the same as everywhere else in the staff quarters. But the rest I shall leave to you.”

“Are you saying I can have my baby with me down here? Can I also select those who will have charge of the infant in my absence?”

He frowned. “Did I not just say exactly that?”

“You did, but a while ago you said it would be your prerogative to select the nursery staff. I was just checking you had changed your mind.”

“Damn it, Isobel, must you keep throwing my idiocies back to me? I thought this was to be a new beginning—the past put behind us? How can we move on if you’re constantly reminding me of my failings?”

Flustered by his unexpected irritation she stepped back treading on the hem of her skirt. She lost her balance and even his lightning reactions were not quick enough to save her from a crashing fall. The air was knocked from her lungs and for a moment she gasped for breath like a fish landed on the riverbank.

“My God, let me get you upright—it will help you regain your breath.” He snapped his fingers and Ellie appeared, her eyes round with horror. “Downstairs. Go at once and have Watkins send for the physician.”

Slowly the band of pain around her chest eased, her breath rasped in her lungs and then she was breathing normally once more. “That was a stupid thing to do. I’ve almost fallen several times doing the same thing.” Experimentally she sat up away from the comfort of his support. “I believe with your assistance I can regain my feet. This tumble was not your fault, Alexander. I’ve been increasing long enough to remember I can’t move with the alacrity I used to.”

“Here, slip your arm around my neck and I shall carry you to your chamber. I think it would be wise to rest until the doctor can examine you. You fell heavily; it does not do to take chances, not at this stage of the pregnancy.”

He carried her back across the passage and into her splendid apartment. Her eyes prickled—she had ruined the day by her clumsiness. She would not argue, her back ached unpleasantly and she feared she had done herself a mischief in the fall. However, she had no intention of worrying Alexander until the physician had examined her.

Chapter Eighteen

Dr Jamieson stepped back, courteously turning away in order to allow Ellie to pull down the bed sheet. Isobel shuffled upright before attracting the venerable gentleman’s attention. “Doctor, is there any danger of my delivering prematurely?”

He smiled, his startlingly blue eyes twinkling. “If you’re asking me if the baby is going to arrive early because of your fall, then the answer is a categorical no. However, I must warn you, my lady, that you won’t go full term. I suggest you have everything in place for the middle of June not the first week in July.”

This was good news indeed, the sooner she was delivered the happier she’d be. “But the backache? I understood this could be a sign labour is imminent.”

“That is sometimes the case but not for you. The fall has put additional stress on your back muscles; it is that you can feel. I can assure you if you remain in your apartments for the next week the pain will go.”

“A week? I shall go mad from the inactivity. I like to walk every day and I’ve yet to see all the improvements that have been made here.”

He shook his head. “I must insist you rest. No doubt you’ve noticed your baby isn’t moving much at the moment. The accident will have put a strain on it. I’m sure you don’t wish any harm to come to your child through your inattention?”

“Of course I don’t, I shall do as you suggest. Do I have to remain in bed for the whole week or can I walk about in this part of the house?”

“Remain where you are for twenty four hours. When I see you tomorrow I will give my final decision. If the baby is active again, and your back is no longer painful, then walking around these rooms will be beneficial. Remember, your grace, absolutely no stairs until I give you leave.”

Her lips twitched, perhaps now was not a good time to tell him Alexander was in the habit of carrying her from floor to floor. “Please could you ask my husband to come through on your way out, Dr Jamieson?”

He bowed, collected his bag and moved briskly into her parlour. The sound of low male voices indicated he was being interrogated so there would be no need to repeat what she’d been told when Alexander came in to join her.

The physician gave her permission to get dressed when he called the following day and she did so forthwith. The infant was once more pummelling her stomach and from the strength of the kicks and punches she was convinced the baby would be a boy.

“Alexander, place your hand here. Did you feel that?”

“Good Grief! You have a pugilist in there, my love. If I put my ear against your bump can I hear the heartbeat?”

The idea of having his face resting so close sent a frisson of excitement along her spine. How ridiculous! She was an unnatural woman thinking of making love when she was so vastly pregnant. “Dr Jamieson listened through a cow horn, why don’t you try the same thing with a glass?”

Should she offer to pull back her skirts as she had done for the physician? Instead she pulled the muslin tight and laid-back whilst he placed the open end of the glass against her belly. He was on his knees beside her, his jacket casually discarded and his cravat untied—when he spent time with her nowadays there was no tension between them. He was as relaxed as she. The momentary irritation which had caused her to step back unwarily was forgotten. After all she could not expect him to be in perfect humour every moment of the day.

His hair was longer than previously and flopped endearingly over his collar. She barely resisted the urge to sink her fingers into it, the last thing either of them needed was excitement of that sort. Had he not said he would take care of such urges himself? A wave of bitter disappointment engulfed her. He’d told her he would not be unfaithful but visiting a bawdy house might not be considered as infidelity by a gentleman in his position.

She pressed herself into the back of the chaise-longue and attempted to quell her dismay. He had given her his word he would not renew his liaison with his mistress. She could hardly demand to know if he slaked his physical needs with a lady of the night. All desire to touch him had gone. Now she wanted him to remove his head and leave her in peace.

He sat back, a rueful grin making him dangerously attractive. “All I got for my effort was a bruised cheek. Do you think this baby of ours is a boy?”

Something prompted her to say the opposite of what she intended. “I sincerely hope so. I’ve no wish to be obliged to produce more children in order to protect your title.”

Her words were like a slap. He was back on his feet, his expression closed—a formidable man replacing the