Deceived

'We'll come for a visit in five years' time, little sister,' he told her. 'Perhaps we will even be able to persuade Mama to come then.'

'And our children will get to know one another,' Aurora said cheerily. 'Mama will be in her glory with all her grandchildren gathered about her, don't you think, Cally?'

Cally sniffled, and nodded slowly.

George now turned to Aurora. 'You are certain?' he said meaningfully, looking directly at her. 'I want you happy with St. John, and not miserable like our poor Cally.' His hands rested lightly upon her shoulders, his eyes filled with concern.

'I am as sure as any woman can be,' she answered him. 'It is a good match, and I believe we suit, George. What more can there be but that. At least I do not fear the marriage bed like our sister.'

'No'-his hazel eyes twinkled at her-'you do not, I suspect, but more than that I do not want to know,' he chuckled. Then he kissed her upon the forehead, hugging her to him. 'Be happy, dearest Aurora!'

'I will, George,' she promised him.

He turned his attention back to Calandra, pulling her gently to her feet and embracing her, kissing her upon both cheeks. 'Try and be good, Cally,' he said softly. 'In the end you will find that hearthside and children are the happiest life for a woman.'

'Nonsense!' Cally replied with a touch of her old spirit. Then she sat back down again heavily. 'Give Mama my love.'

'Together,' George said. 'Forever,' Cally replied. 'As one!' Aurora finished.

'The bouquet! Betsy is going to toss her bouquet!' came the cry from the hallway. 'Come along, girls!'

Giggling, pushing, and shoving for the best position, all the unmarried ladies hurried into the hallway, where Betsy stood halfway up the staircase, the now slightly wilting flowers clutched in her hand.

'Come on!' George pulled Aurora by the hand and pushed her into the fray.

'One! Two! Three!' chorused the other guests, and then the bride pitched her bouquet, which seemingly by magic went directly into Aurora's outstretched hands. She caught it, laughing, and blew a kiss in St. John's direction.

'Oh, that's not fair!' Isabelle Bowen protested. 'We all know that Aurora will soon be married! She already wears the St. John betrothal ring.'

'You're too young to be married yet, Bella,' the new Mistress Spencer- Kimberly said with a smile. 'Whoever catches the bouquet must wed within a year, or no one else present can marry. That is the rule. Do you want every girl in the county waiting for you to make up your mind regarding some young man? We all know that you have a terrible time deciding things!'

There were nods and chuckles of agreement all around. Then, before Isabelle could protest, the bridal couple was making its final farewells, climbing into the coach and departing. As the vehicle made its way down the drive with both Betsy and George hanging out its window, smiling happily and waving, Lady Elsie burst into fulsome tears, joined by her daughters, who continued waving weepily at the retreating carriage.

'Good grief!' the dowager muttered. 'Where is our transport? I do not intend to stand here and be drowned by the tears of that silly woman and her four remaining chits. Valerian! Fetch the coach!' She turned her attention to her host and hostess. 'A lovely wedding,' she murmured. 'May I thank you on behalf of the entire family, but we must be going. The duchess cannot take any more excitement, y'know. It was quite an effort for her to come, you understand. Good-bye! Good-bye!'

She practically leapt into the carriage, followed by Aurora. Cally had already been ensconced inside as her brother and his wife departed. The dowager's agility was remarkable for one of her advanced years. The door to the vehicle slammed shut, and it moved off.

'Thank heavens!' Mary Rose Hawkesworth said with feeling.

Both Cally and Aurora giggled, unable to help themselves.

The dowager herself smiled a small smile, saying, 'Elsie Bowen is a sweet creature to be sure, but a silly and sentimental one as well. Why on earth was she crying? Five daughters to marry off, and the dowries not particularly large, and Betsy marries a handsome young man with a good income and excellent prospects. What, I ask you, is there to cry about that? Not to mention that her daughter is now connected to our family by marriage. That should help that chit Isabelle when she is ready to go husband hunting. I know a most suitable young baronet who should be ready to settle down in another year or two,' the dowager concluded, her eyes narrowing at the prospect of matchmaking again.

'Gracious, ma'am,' Aurora replied with a small chuckle, 'you will have Lady Bowen's daughters all married off before she knows what has happened, and then she will really drown us all in her tears.'

'Heh! Heh! Heh!' came the reply, and the dowager settled down with a pleased expression as they were driven home to Hawkes Hill.

Cally retired to her room immediately, complaining that she felt even worse than usual. The dowager and Aurora settled themselves in the family parlor overlooking the gardens to have tea.

'I do not like the look of Calandra,' the dowager noted. 'Her hands and her feet are quite swollen, and she has become sallow. Perhaps we should call in Dr. Michaels tomorrow.'

Aurora nodded. 'I believe it might be a good idea to err on the side of caution, ma'am. I have never known Cally to complain quite so much as she has in recent months.'

The day ended, and the house grew quiet. Extra quiet, it seemed to Aurora without George. For some reason, she could not fall into a deep sleep. It was almost as if she were waiting for something to happen. She would doze and then waken, doze and waken. Then, just as she was finally drifting into a deep sleep, there came a frantic knocking upon her bedroom door. Aurora struggled awake again even as Martha hurried from her little chamber to answer the frantic knocking. The servant flung open the door, and there stood Molly.

'It's her grace,' Molly sputtered. 'She says she's in terrible pain and wants Miss Aurora to come to her.'

Aurora arose quickly, putting her robe about her. 'Did you call the duke? What about the dowager? Perhaps we should send for Dr. Michaels.' She pushed past the two servants, who followed after her.

Entering her sister's bedroom, she saw Cally was even paler than she had been earlier. There were droplets of perspiration beading her forehead, and her breathing was heavy. 'Aurora!' she.cried. 'I am in the most dreadful pain. I think this creature may be coming early.'

'You are certain it is not just something you ate, Cally?' Aurora queried her sister. 'This is not a bit of indigestion?'

Calandra shook her head vehemently. 'I drank no champagne but a sip to toast George and Betsy. I ate no cake, and have had no supper but for some tea with cream and sugar, for I have felt wretched all day. Ahhhhhh! I am being ripped apart by this thing!'

'Sally, wake Peters and have him send for Dr. Michaels,' Aurora instructed the servant. 'Then go to Browne and have him waken the duke.'

'What about the old dowager?' Sally asked.

'Leave her sleep. There is nothing she can do to help us right now. Neither can the duke, for that matter, but it is his heir.' She caressed Cally's swollen little hand. 'It will be all right,