The Duke's Reform

The tall clock in the sitting room struck for the third time since she’d awoken, the time was now seven o’clock. Alexander had been absent for five hours. She could think of no reason for him being away from her side unless he’d ridden off to hide his disappointment at her failure to provide him with his much wanted son. For all his protestations that he would prefer a dozen daughters if it meant she would remain at his side, his absence demonstrated his disappointment.

“Let me take Lady Lucinda for you, your grace. Ellie has brought you up a delicious breakfast. A nursing mother needs to keep up her strength if she is going to produce sufficient milk for the baby.”

Nanny made her feel like a complete ninny, but when it came to taking care of babies Isobel was remarkably ignorant. “I am sharp set, the tea and toast I had in the middle of the night seem a very long time ago.”

She was halfway through her repast when the sound of running feet alerted her to the imminent arrival of her missing spouse. “Ellie, please fetch another tray, his grace will wish to eat with me.”

The chamber door almost flew off its hinges. Her mouth dropped open. Never in her life had she expected to see her immaculate husband appear in such a state of dishevelment. “Alexander, where have you been? Why are you dressed like a scarecrow?”

He skidded to a halt beside her looking round the room like a man demented. “Sweetheart, I went next door to find something to wear and fell asleep. How can I apologise? Where is my daughter? I owe her an apology also for not greeting her when she was born.”

Whatever explanation she’d expected this had not been it. What he said was quite ridiculous and perfectly understandable. “My love, you’re forgiven. We searched the house last night but I did not think to look next door for you.” She grinned up at him. “I had also quite forgotten your state of undress and the fact that your garments were unavailable to you. Lucinda Rose is next door in the nursery, it will be quite in order for you to go and see her there.”

She expected him to refuse, to say he would wait until Nanny bought her in again, but he didn’t. He blew her a kiss and rushed from the room. She’d been worrying unnecessarily. Everything that had transpired was explained away. She must learn to trust him but this was difficult when his behaviour was so unpredictable.

She had almost finished her breakfast when Ellie hurried in with a laden tray, at exactly the same time Alexander returned with their daughter cradled in his arms. “I could not bear to put her down, my darling, so Nanny gave me her blessing to bring her back to you myself.” He sniffed appreciatively. “Is that food for me? You’re an angel to think of me after I abandoned you last night.”

The baby was tenderly returned to the crib which was to remain in the bed chamber for the moment. There was a second, identical one, in the nursery for when she was with Nanny.

“There, little Lucy, you’re as beautiful as your mother and I already love you almost as much as I do her.”

“She is tiny but perfectly healthy, so Dr Jamieson told me. He also informed me I would have no difficulty producing a dozen children.”

He pulled up a chair and examined what was under the cloth. “I think one baby alternate years for the rest of your productive life will be sufficient, my dear.” He then picked up his cutlery and set to with gusto ignoring her dagger looks.

“Gracious! Do you realise by my reckoning that could mean, let me see, fifteen further children. I can promise you when we reach four or five you’ll be banished to the far side of the house once more.”

Pausing between mouthfuls he grinned at her, his eyes sparkling with humour. “It shan’t come to that, sweetheart, did I not promise you I would make enquiries from a friend before I return to your bed?”

She nodded. “I can’t resume physical relations as Dr Jamieson put it, until our baby is six weeks at least. However, Nanny Cooper did let slip that by nursing Lucinda myself it might well prevent me from becoming pregnant. I think she was warning me against breast-feeding rather than encouraging me. Everyone appears to think we are both desperate to produce another baby.”

“I would be perfectly satisfied with just, Lucinda Rose. By the by, I don’t remember agreeing to that name.” He raised his eyebrows and she giggled.

“You may choose the names of any boys, my love, but I shall select for any girls.”

He nodded solemnly. “In which case, my darling, I shall call our first son Horatio Peregrine Everard, and then the second, Peregrine Everard Horatio …”

Spluttering through her mirth she finished his sentence for him. “And the third no doubt will be, Everard Peregrine Horatio.” Their laughter woke the baby and brought Nanny Cooper clucking into the room.

Isobel sent him away to write letters announcing the safe arrival of their daughter to Aunt Lucy, Uncle Ben and her parents. He also had instructions to send word to London so Mr Bentley was aware he was still in line for the title for the next year or two at least.

Chapter Twenty

Isobel had not realised how tiring nursing a new baby was going to be. Lucinda refused to wait the expected four hours between feeds and was constantly at her breast. Not that she minded, unlike her pregnancy she loved every minute of being a mama. She was sitting with her feet up on the chaise longue four weeks after the baby’s birth when Alexander strolled in, several letters in his hand.

“That daughter of yours is insatiable, small wonder she is gaining weight and you’re losing it.” He stroked the baby’s downy head and kissed Isobel on the brow. Since her delivery he’d been less inclined to kiss her lips, in fact if she was honest his eyes no longer darkened when he looked at her.

“I’ve almost done, another few minutes and Nanny Cooper will be back to collect her.” She nodded towards his hand. “Is there something from my family? Can they come when we have Lucinda baptised in July?”

“Shall I read them to you or will you wait until you have your hands free?” He sprawled on the window seat. He looked relaxed, happy—so why didn’t he kiss her properly anymore?

“Just tell me what they said - there’s no need to read the whole missive.”

His smile faded at her terseness but he made no comment. She was so tired it was making her snippy, but this was no excuse for being uncivil to him. “I’m so sorry, Alexander, I should not have snapped at you. It’s not your fault I’m getting so little sleep.”

“Then stop feeding Lucinda. The young woman you’ve employed as wet nurse looks perfectly wholesome. Let her take over from you.”

He didn’t understand, the bond between a baby and its mama was forged in these first few weeks. However tired she was she would persist for another week at least. “Not yet, my love, Nanny Cooper says if I continue until she’s six weeks old it will be good for both of us.”

“I’m heartily sick of hearing that woman’s name a hundred times a day. Dammit, Isobel, can you not make these decisions for yourself?”

Why did they end up cross with each other nowadays? He had no excuse, he was able to sleep undisturbed all night and to roam around the estate enjoying the beautiful weather whilst she was trapped upstairs. So far Dr Jamieson had insisted she remain in her apartments, if he’d had his way she would still be reclining in bed all day. How was she going to resume her active life if she was allowed no exercise?

He tossed the letters aside and came to sit beside her. “I should not have criticised the nanny, she’s doing the job we’ve employed her for. But, darling, I’m getting as little sleep as you. I find I can’t rest without you at my side. When may I return?”

“As soon as I am allowed to resume my normal life, which hopefully will be tomorrow. The doctor makes his weekly visit then. He said I had recovered remarkably quickly. But, are you sure you wish to be woken up three times during the night when Nanny brings Lucinda to be fed?”

He yawned and shook his head. “Perhaps I should wait until you have stopped nursing. I’m going to see my lawyers next week. I shall be gone several days; maybe things will be back to normal by then?”

This time there was no mistaking the desire in his eyes and she felt herself responding. His smile widened and ignoring the entrance of one of the nursery maids to collect the baby, he stretched out and placed his hand on either side of her face. Her insides somersaulted and she leaned forward to meet his embrace.