The following morning Doctor Bradford arrived at Berkley Square to examine the Duchess of Sedgwick. When he had completed his task he said to her, 'Your Grace is indeed with child. Based upon the information that both you and your maid have given me, I would reckon that your child will be born in late November or early December, madame. Your maid will have her child earlier in the autumn 1 observe from her form now. Is that correct, girl?' he demanded of Honor.
'Yes, sir,' she replied in a little voice.
'Thank you, Doctor Bradford,' Allegra responded. 'I am grateful for your consultation. 1 know how busy a gentleman you are with your fine reputation. Lady Bellingham has spoken highly of you.'
'Thank you, madame. You are both strong young women, but it is my considered opinion that you get home as soon as possible, and that neither of you travels again until after your babies are born.'
'We shall certainly follow your advice, Doctor Bradford,' Allegra said calmly. 'Honor, please show the doctor out, and sir, render your bill to my father's secretary, Mr. Charles Trent, here at this house.'
The doctor bowed. 'Most grateful, Your Grace,' he said, and then he followed Honor from the duchess's apartments.
When the maidservant returned and saw the questioning look on her mistress's face, she said quietly, 'Well, m'lady, me and Peter Hawkins was to have been married last Sunday.'
'Ohh, Honor, why didn't you tell me instead of allowing me to drag you all the way up to London?' Allegra cried. 'I should never forgive myself if something happened to you.'
'You needed me,' Honor said bluntly. 'Haven't I always been there for you since you was six? And I certainly wasn't going to tell you in the terrible mood you was in that I was having a baby, too. Not on top of the news you got from your papa, Lady Eunice, and Lady Caroline.'
Allegra put her arms about her maid, and hugged her hard. 'Oh, Honor, I don't deserve your kindness and your friendship.'
'That's what Hawkins says, but he just don't know you like I do,' Honor told her mistress with a mischievous twinkle.
Allegra laughed, and then she said, 'We will start home tomorrow.'
'Before we've been to Vauxhall, m'ladyr1' Honor sounded very disappointed. 'We talked about seeing Vauxhall on our travels up from the country. We ain't likely to get back to London any time soon.'
'No,' Allegra agreed, 'that is true. I shall send around to Mr. Brummell, and if he is willing to take us to Vauxhall tonight then we shall return home the day after tomorrow.'
Mr. Brummell sent word that both he and Prinny would be delighted to escort Her Grace, and Her Grace's maidservant to Vauxhall that evening. They would come around at four o'clock for tea, and then on to the gardens afterward. Mr. Trent, informed of Her Grace's decisions, quickly dispatched a footman to ride ahead, and make the proper reservations at the best inns for his employer's daughter.
Marker served tea with his staff of footmen as if they did it all the time with the Prince of Wales as the guest of the house. At six o'clock they set off for Vauxhall where, Prinny said, they would meet with the Countess di Lince. Prinny had taken a fancy to the elegant older woman.
Vauxhall was a marvelous pleasure garden that had opened in the year 1661, following King Charles II’s restoration. At first it could only be reached from the water. Located north of Kensington Lane, it now had another entrance in addition to its original entry to the west. The admission was currently two shillings, sixpence. Its popularity had survived for over one hundred thirty-five years because of the ever-changing variety of the exciting programs it offered the public, and of course, its five graveled promenades.
Each walk was tree- and bush-lined. The Grand Walk extended nine hundred feet from the entrance. It was thirty feet wide, and bordered with elm trees. The South Walk ran parallel to it, and was distinguished by three quite realistic archways with paintings of the ruins of the ancient city of Palmyra. Many who saw them believed them to be real. On gala nights the ruins were replaced by a Gothic Temple with an artificial fountain in its center. The South Walk was the same length and width as the Grand Walk.
To the left of the Grand Walk was the Hermit's Walk. On its right was a wilderness; on its left was a rural downs. Also running parallel to the Grand Walk and the South Walk was the Dark, or Lovers' Walk. It was quite narrow, and clandestine lovers were its most frequent guests. And finally crossing the four walks was the fifth, known as the Grand Cross Walk. It cut through the center of the gardens. The portion between the Grand Walk and the South Walk that was bound by it was called The Grove.
It was a most fashionable place in which to promenade, or to meet one's lover. This evening a concert was being held in The Grove, featuring the music of Mr. Handel and Mr. Haydn. Prinny and his party were comfortably ensconced in a supper box, which was next to The Grove. From there they could comfortably listen to the music while they were treated to an outrageously expensive supper of tiny chickens, paper-thin slices of ham and beef, pastry, and wines. The supper box was decorated with paintings by Francis Hayman. In their box the painting visualized a country scene in which simple folk were dancing about a maypole that had been set in the center of a green which was surrounded by picturesque thatched cottages.
At nine o'clock a bell was rung to indicate the famed Cascade was about to begin. An intermission was called for the concert. As it only lasted for fifteen minutes each night, and was constantly changed, they hurried from their supper box to see it. Tonight they viewed snowy peaked mountains from which a great waterfall tumbled over rocks into a frothy pool below. This was followed by a display of fireworks, and then they returned to their box to enjoy the rest of their concert.
'I ain't never seen anything that grand,' Honor whispered to her mistress. It was not unusual that a servant be included in such an outing. The contessa had an elderly servant named Anna with her as well. Respectable women in the company of gentlemen not their husbands frequently traveled with a female servant.
'How long will you be in London, Your Grace?' the Contessa di Lince asked Allegra.
'We shall return home on Thursday,' was the reply. 'I must stop at my father's house on the way to Hunter's Lair. My stepmother is expecting a baby any day now.'
'I had a brother, James Lucian,' Allegra said. 'He was murdered in Paris during the Terror. He had gone there to marry a young lady. She and her family were arrested by the authorities. My brother would not leave her to die alone. He was very brave.' Tears welled up in her eyes. 'If my child is a son, perhaps I shall name him for my brother.'
'You are expecting a baby?' the contessa said softly.
'Yes,' Allegra confided. 'That is why I must hurry home. I only came up to London to confirm my suspicions, and Lady Bellingham's physician, Doctor Bradford, has done just that. I am so happy, and my husband will be happy, too. We want a large family.'
'Do you? I, myself, have never really enjoyed children, but now that my husband is dead, I regret what I have missed,' the contessa said frankly. Then she turned to Prinny, smiling. 'I hope we shall play cards again, Your Highness. I did so enjoy last evening.'
'Indeed, madame, as I did,' the prince responded. 'And you were quite a lucky partner for me.' He lowered his voice slightly. 'My luck is not always as good as it was last night.'
'I am at your service, Your Highness,' the contessa said.
'I am happy to hear it, madame,' Prinny replied, and his glance went to her decolletage. 'Very happy, madame,' he murmured.
