Loving Sarah (26 page)

“We agree, dear,” replied Lady Stone. “But it’s not likely to ever happen.”

The room fell silent a moment until Lia said the reason she’d invited the ladies on this afternoon. “I have asked the Ladies Royce and Stone to visit and mentioned that we have a proposition for them.”

Sarah nodded. Ian’s aunts had learned of their wedding while in Edinburgh as they read the newspaper one morning. And after the earl had once again made an amazing recovery with this latest bout with his bad heart, the ladies returned to Haldenwood to gush over how they were both thrilled with the union. They then confided a deep concern over the rift between their father and their nephew. She couldn’t speak of it yet as her plans were not final, but if all went as Sarah was planning, next summer the earl would be at their home for a visit while her husband bounced their child on his knee. Then perhaps Ian and his grandfather would finally make amends or come to some peaceful situation between them. At least that was her plan.

Lia turned to the ladies. “The tenants at Greenwood have finally moved out, and the remodeling and updating have begun in preparation for Sarah’s arrival.” A maid arrived with the beverage cart and over tea they spoke of the renovations to her mother’s dower house that were now underway, and of the modern plumbing going into the home. The ladies ooh-ed and ahh-ed over the work being done, and even recommended several interior designers of their acquaintance.

“The proposition we have for you dears,” Lia began, “is rather necessary and of the utmost importance.”

“It seems His Grace does not wish for me to reside down in Surrey all alone until my husband returns from China in the spring,” Sarah added. “He thinks I should have companions, and this is where you come in.”

Sarah nodded to Lia who knew both ladies much better than she did. “You see, ladies, the future Countess Mackeever is expecting a happy event. We would love for you to accompany her to her home and stay with her until her husband returns at the very least….”

“Or for however long you wish,” Sarah added, “as I would never presume to tell my husband he cannot captain his ships if that is what he desires.”

The sisters both cried out in joy at the news, immediately exclaiming their complete and whole-hearted agreement with the plan. Both widowed, the ladies lived together in a cottage on Haldenwood at the invitation of their godson, the duke.

“We accept this honor without hesitation, Your Grace,” Lady Stone.

“Absolutely. Imagine,” Lady Royce turned to her sister, “Eugenia, a baby! We’ll be great-aunts.”

“Why, this is simply wonderful news my dear,” exclaimed Lady Stone. “We are so very, very pleased.”

“That would explain the weight gain, my dear,” said Lady Royce sagely. “Why when I carried my Edgar, God rest his soul, I must have gained three stone. Of course, after his birth, it disappeared, albeit slowly.”

“Yes, dear, do not worry at all,” offered Lady Stone. “All expectant mothers gain weight. You know, that’s the
real
reason we retire to the country during our confinement. I shuddered at the thought of having had to appear in public while I was carrying. Why my fingers alone looked like little sausages.”

Not to be outdone by her sister, Lady Royce chimed in. “And thank heaven for our long dresses! My legs were so swollen they looked like tree trunks.”

Sarah wondered if this was what she had to look forward to for the rest of her confinement—legs the size of tree trunks and growing as big and round as the water fountain in the front drive. She thanked them both for their insight and well-wishes, then said, “I am certain Ian would love to have his favorite aunts in residence. He loves you both very much, you know. And our baby will have family around other than me.”

“Only until a sibling comes along.” Lady Royce winked at her sister, who agreed with her.

Sarah groaned inwardly as she smiled and nodded to her new relations. She just prayed to make it through this confinement safely. She certainly was not planning beyond that right now. Well, except for the invitation to her new grandfather, which she would send as soon as she was settled in her new home.

“Do you agree with my idea?” she asked.

“Obviously you both like the plan,” Lia said. “It would relieve both my husband and myself of the worries we’ve had about Sarah’s move down to Surrey.”

“Absolutely.”

“We would love to.”

The approximate time line for moving was discussed, and it was decided that they’d all move down after the first of the year. This gave the contractors time to complete their jobs and Sarah the opportunity to spend Christmas at Haldenwood with the family. This would give her plenty of time to get comfortable in her home before the early April birth of her son or daughter.

One hour later, after the ladies had gone, Sarah turned to her sister-in-law. “That went over better than I’d expected.”

“Why? The ladies are Ian’s family as well as Ren’s. They are both mothers and familiar with carrying and childbirth. They will know when to send for our physician.”

“It was a truly inspired idea. Thank you.” Sarah was thankful that Lia understood and even championed her case for living independently to her brother. When they were planning what to say to Ren, Lia had come up with the idea of asking Lady Royce and Lady Stone to be her companions. Her brother would only agree if she would take them and keep a hired security specialist among her household staff, as they did here and at Caversham House in Town.

“You’re welcome. I’m full of wonderful ideas on occasion.”

Sarah linked arms with Lia, and together they went up the stairs, Lia slowing her pace to keep up with Sarah’s. “I feel so bloated, Lia. Everywhere.”

“That’s normal dear. Do not let Trudy tighten your stays. In fact, I’ll let you in on a secret. I never wore a corset the entire time I was pregnant. With all three children. And I would advise you to do likewise, even though you think it helps you fit into a gown.”

“Then I shall need a dressmaker to pay a visit, because I already cannot wear most of them.” When they reached the landing, she turned to Lia. “You know, I’ve been wondering lately if there isn’t more than one babe in here.” She rubbed her belly. “It feels as though there is an entire litter of children playing inside me.”

“Hmmm,” Lia took in her appearance. She held Sarah’s hands and felt how swollen they were, then she studied her ankles and face. “You are swollen. Perhaps we should call for Prescott to pay a visit. He might be retired, but I trust his opinion.”

T
he very next morning, before her brother had a chance to leave the house, Sarah asked him for a meeting in his office. This was the second part of her plan: providing security to Ian and her child should anything happen to her while she gave birth.

“I would like to pay Ian’s portion of the bank loan he took out to purchase the two boats. Could you find out which bank holds the note and arrange for this? Also, release my dowry into his name, leaving my inheritance to me and our child.”

“Are you certain this is what you want? Even knowing it goes against Ian’s wishes?” Ren asked.

His once coal-black hair was now peppered with gray, giving him a more distinguished appearance, if that was possible. As a child, she used to think he was frightening. Now she wondered why she ever thought that. He’d never raised a hand to her, nor his voice either, except when she deserved a lecture on her reckless behavior—a pattern of hers since her youth. There was also a time when she was very young that she thought Ren was her father, as she didn’t remember her father or her mother. When she’d grown old enough to understand, Lia had explained as gently as she could the fact that her parents had passed away many years prior and that her brother had taken on the great responsibility of raising his two sisters as his father would have wished.

From that moment on, she worshipped her brother.

“Yes,” Sarah replied. “There’s more than enough money in my inheritance to pay for the refurbishing of Greenwood Manor, and for me to live on quite comfortably. Ian should receive the dowry as he would if this were a normal union.”

“Did you know Greenwood is a part of the dowry? Do you want me to have that removed and replaced?”

“I didn’t know that.” She thought a moment, then replied, “Yes. I want Greenwood as part of my inheritance. I think you should replace the fair value of the property in the dowry with the equal amount in shares of that new rail company you bought into.”

His gray eyes widened appreciatively. “Good choice.”

She gave her brother a sly grin. “I guess I’ve learned a thing or two from you sitting at the same dinner table all these years.”

“Good, I’ll have my secretary make inquiries as to which bank holds his note and send for the banker. Then I’ll have him send for Graham Davies for the legal contracts.”

“I remember his name. Is he the new partner in Michael’s firm? Would you recommend him?”

“Yes. He’s been with the firm for years. I trust him with my own affairs.”

“Then I shall use him for mine.”

They were silent a moment, then Ren said, “I’ve always heard it was unwise for men to educate their women, for fear that one day they might want their independence. But I’m glad that you and Elise had an education beyond needlepoint and dancing. It makes me proud to know that as you go out into the world you will not be hoodwinked by bankers, brokers, or tradesmen because of your sex.”

“Yes, my education was rather unconventional. Why, if a tradesman were to attempt such foolishness, I could shoot their toes off before they knew I held a gun in my pockets.” One day she would have to thank him for the opportunities he gave her, allowing her to grow up as she did.

Ren laughed. “Not to mention chase him down whilst astride a horse with no saddle.”

They laughed a moment, then stared at each other, Sarah with tears in her eyes. Her life was different now. She was no longer the girl of whom they spoke.

“I shall teach my own daughters the exact same skills you taught me. And if I need any assistance you’ll just have to come and help me.”

“You know I will, baby sister.”

B
y late November, Sarah had been confined to her suite at Haldenwood. What made the confinement even worse for someone like her—someone who actually enjoyed a little solitude every so often—was the fact she now had around-the-clock companionship. She couldn’t be alone even if she wanted solitude. She was the girl who could sail alone on their private lake for hours on end. She was the girl who could go on a walk or ride alone for hours and return reinvigorated and ready to take on the day’s tasks.

A bed was moved into the adjoining dressing room, and Trudy now shared her suite. When her maid wasn’t in the room with her, there was a constant stream of visitors. Her brother, her sister-in-law, the Ladies Royce and Stone, and her nieces. Of course, Dr. Prescott made his weekly trip up from London for his cherry tarts, and to check on her. As he was retired, he usually spent one night at Haldenwood then returned to Town the following day. Each week he pronounced her in good health for one her size given that she was carrying more than one child.

To keep herself busy, she did some sewing and embroidery. But as she’d never been good with a needle before, every attempt she made wound up looking like a child’s first work. So she left the embroidery of the baby linens to ones with more nimble fingers.

She did a great deal of reading during this time as she found the belly a useful ledge on which to rest the book, though her arms did tire of remaining upright. Occasionally the moving babes would shake the book causing her to lose focus on the page. But she did manage to read nearly every romantic story in the house, even sending to London for newer titles. And as time slowly passed, she grew larger and rounder.

On the day after Christmas, Prescott confined her to the bed. To make matters even worse, she could not find one comfortable position to make bed rest any easier. She tried propping herself in every manner possible with a few pillows, then with quite a few more pillows, and also with no pillows. None of it made any difference.

In mid-February, a few days before Candlemas, Sarah didn’t think she would make early April, when the babies were due. She very nearly was an invalid in that she could not manage to walk the few steps to her privy without assistance. One look in the hand mirror confirmed what she’d suspected, that she’d become a bloated caricature of her former self. It was enough to give a woman the dismals, except that she had a wonderful family supporting her.

As the weeks went by, she alternately cried because she missed Ian and laughed when she thought of his heartfelt speech about being thankful she wasn’t with child yet. Ha! She wondered what he would think if he knew of the two gifts he’d given her.

One afternoon as she lay propped up against her headboard, she’d told Lia about the book, and her sister-in-law laughed. Sarah didn’t tell her that she was now in possession of said manual. “I found it and read the entire book, cover to cover, while I was cooped up in the cabin. Ian never knew I’d read it.” She felt the heat rushing to her cheeks. “It was rather arousing.” Glancing down at her hands, she said, “Poor Ian. He never stood a chance once I’d decided to put to practice some of the lessons I read.”

“Those manuals are produced more for their titillation factor than anything else,” Lia said. “I’m sure there were drawings of positions and even color plates inside it.”