Stavewood (Stavewood Saga Book 1) (30 page)

Chapter Fifty-Six

   
 
R
ebecca
stood before the cottage as Isabel had requested before running inside to light the lamps. The leaded windows began to fill with a warm glow and Rebecca felt enchanted.

      The tiny, Victorian home was painted a soft yellow and adorned with a pure white gingerbread trim, featuring steep angled roofs and a large oval window in the front door.

      “It looks like a fairy tale!” she observed aloud.

      “Wait until you see what she has done inside.” Phillip laughed and rolled his eyes. “I swear the woman feels denied at never having had daughters and always wanted dollhouses all about the place! She actually comes out here by herself and has tea.”

      “Tonight it is a honeymoon cottage!” Isabel announced as she returned to the porch.

      Phillip checked inside the coach, and then turned to his son as Timothy released the driver to return to Stavewood. “Tim, didn’t you and Rebecca bring any luggage at all?”

      “Rebecca and I had not planned to stay the night in Billington, Dad. We never
packed any luggage.” He draped a soft fur around Rebecca’s shoulders.

      “I have the perfect thing at the house for you, Rebecca!” Isabel exclaimed. “And I’m sure Phillip has something Timothy can use for the night.”

      “You don’t need to bother tonight, Mother.”

      “Nonsense! How often is there a new bride staying at my honeymoon cottage? Both of you ride up to the house and we’ll set you up for the night while the place warms up and you can come back here straight away. You’re worse than your father in your lack of patience!” Isabel smiled at Rebecca, as she turned away fearing she might blush.

      Timothy sighed and then helped Rebecca into the family coach and they reached the main house quickly.

      Isabel led Rebecca through the grand home, solidly built and elegant in its modern straight lines.

      “This is very different from the cottage,” Rebecca mused, as she examined the portraits lining the upstairs hall.

      “That’s why I wanted the cottage built. I love this home, but I always longed for some ruffles and lace and they never seemed to fit into this household. Timothy’s father built the house during our engagement, and, although I love its solid elegance, I wanted a home of a different type as well.

      “I always hoped one of the boys would have a family and the grandmother lurking inside of me wanted a cottage perfect for reading fairy tales.” Isabel watched Rebecca’s face, looking for her reaction. She led the girl into a massive bedroom with soaring ceilings and substantial, carved furniture.

      “This is like a cathedral!” Rebecca whispered in awe.

      “The Elgerson men do not hold back when they build,” Isabel shook her head, a fond smile on her lips.

      “Enough of my babbling. There’s plenty of time to talk about families. I doubt my son’s patience will hold out long.”

        Isabel sorted through a large armoire, finally emerging with a carefully bundled parcel.

      “I wore this on my honeymoon. Perhaps you would like it for yourself.”

      Rebecca unfolded the wrapping carefully, uncovering a delicate negligée, a trail of tiny embroidered flowers flowing the length of the gown. She looked at Isabel speechless and tears glistened in her eyes.

      “I expect it might be a bit large for your petite size, Rebecca, but, if Timothy is anything like his dear father, I expect he won’t notice,” Isabel smiled wistfully. “This is your wedding night and you should feel more beautiful than any night in your life. The night I married Phillip I felt like a vision in this.”

      Isabel took Rebecca’s hand gently, and looked into her eyes. She held the girl warmly as she cried.

      “Thank you,” Rebecca whispered softly. “This is all like a dream I fear I will wake from. I am so in love with your son.”

      Taking the girl by the shoulders, the older woman looked seriously into her face.

      “Rebecca, you are my daughter now. I have never seen Timothy so happy, so comfortable with anyone. He is my only living child and the pleasure you have put on his face says to me that you are something very special. I wish you all the happiness in the world, and I hope you will always look at Phillip and me as family.”

      Timothy stopped in the doorway, listening quietly, having grown impatient waiting for the women to return.

      “Timothy!” Isabel caught him as he listened. “I see you have not given up your talent for spying! You look out for him, Rebecca. He has an unerring talent for watching you when you have no idea that he’s there!”

      “I know!” Rebecca giggled.

Chapter Fifty-Seven

    
 
R
ebecca
dressed unhurriedly, brushing her hair to a soft shine, leaving it loose, and lowered the delicate gown carefully over her head. The gossamer fabric fell against her slender body and she smiled with satisfaction. Rebecca did indeed feel more beautiful than she ever had in her life.

      She set her brush down and sighed deeply, before leaving the bath.  

      Timothy paced the room impatiently, oddly nervous as he waited for her to emerge.

      The light from the open doorway silhouetted her perfect figure as she stood demurely and met his appreciative gaze.

      He lifted her easily and carried her slowly, lowering her softly onto the ruffled bed.

      “Rebecca,” he whispered. “You are absolutely the most breathtakingly beautiful woman I have ever seen in all of my life.”

      “And I am entirely yours,” she whispered, kissing him softly.

      His kisses inflamed her and he made love to her with gentle passion. Rebecca felt more complete than she ever imagined possible.

      She lay beside him in the warmth of his love and the aftermath of their perfect union. She listened with complete contentment to the strong beat of his heart.

      He lifted himself to face her, his soft brown eyes searching her own, his handsome face tanned and rugged.

      “Are you happy, Rebecca?” he whispered.

      “Blissfully,” she replied softly.

      He pulled her to him, and tucked the warm, down coverlet around her and she drifted off, certain that she now believed in fairy tales.

Chapter Fifty-Eight

  
 
T
wo
weeks flew past them in a flash, filled with delightful visits to Timothy’s family home and perfect nights when they slipped ecstatically away in each other’s arms. Timothy shopped with her and they dined in all of Billington’s finest restaurants. Rebecca felt as if she were living a dream, and, as much as she missed Stavewood and everyone there, she regretted that the honeymoon would eventually have to come to an end.

      “We’ll go back tomorrow,” Timothy agreed, as they lounged over brunch in the sunny breakfast room of the cottage.

      “I miss Mark and Stavewood,” she admitted, rising from her chair to kiss the man on the cheek. She felt a stab in her side, and winced.

     “Is something wrong? Would you rather not go home?” Timothy watched her with concern.

      “No, I want to go back, really. I miss Stavewood very much. It is home,” she assured him.

      “Then something else is wrong. What is it?”

      Rebecca moved slightly and winced again.

      “It’s nothing, really. I’ve got a stitch in my side.”

     The third spasm was harder to ignore and Timothy scooped her up and carried her to the bed, despite her protests.

      “Timothy. Honestly, it’s nothing. It will pass. It always does.”

      “Always does? How long has this been going on?” He stood over her, his face dark with worry as she lay on the bed.

      “A while. Timothy, please don’t make such a fuss. I’m fine.”

      “Since the shack? Is that when? Birget told me she noticed you favoring your side. Mark said you may have been kicked. Is that it?”

      “It’s fine, really.” Rebecca knew her time of the month had come and gone and supposed she might be expecting, but did not want to speak before she was certain.

      “Has it been the same pain since then? The truth, Rebecca.”

      “It’s the same place, yes,” she whispered. “But it might be something else.”

      “Something else?” he looked at her questioningly.

      “I missed my time, but I didn’t want to say anything until I was sure.” She lowered her eyes self-consciously and sat up on the bed.

      “A baby?” He sat down beside her and watched her closely.

      “I’m not sure though. I’ve never had this happen before,” she replied tentatively.

      “Are you unhappy that you might be expecting, Rebecca?” He touched her cheek.

      “No, not at all, it would be wonderful!” She looked into his worried eyes. “I just wanted to be sure before I got too excited.”

      Timothy kissed her face eagerly, overcome with relief.

      “Timothy,” she asked with surprise and worry. “Why are you crying?” She put her slender hands on either side of his face and turned him to her, his eyes meeting her own.

      “It doesn’t matter, Rebecca, remember? What happened before, it doesn’t matter.” His face was dark and serious.

      “No, it doesn’t. Corissa was expecting once, wasn’t she?” She had suspected it before, recalling her trip up to the attic at Stavewood. Now she wanted to hear it from him.

      “Yes,” he whispered, “but she didn’t want another child and she had been with Jude. She found a doctor in St. Peter. Are you sure this is what you want?”

      “More than anything in the world, Timothy. I would be overjoyed.”

      Rebecca felt another stitch and Timothy walked up to the main house to get his mother, despite Rebecca’s quiet protests.

      Isabel sat beside the girl on the bed and talked to her softly, while Timothy paced the parlor impatiently.

      “I’m not a doctor, Rebecca, but I’ve carried four children and you should not be having these pains. You can’t think of yourself as being a burden. If you are carrying a child then you must think about your baby and let a doctor examine you. Phillip has gone to fetch him now and if there’s nothing wrong then we’ll all be assured and you’ll know.”

      Rebecca sighed, she was so concerned about the fuss everyone was making and thought that, since the pain had lingered for so long, she could just continue to live with it. But if she was expecting it was different. She agreed to let the doctor examine her.

      Isabel held Rebecca’s hand beside her as the doctor completed his examination. He confirmed that she was indeed expecting, but expressed concern. Timothy’s parents excused themselves, retiring to the parlor so the doctor could talk to them privately.

      “There’s no question in my mind that you are going to be a father, Tim,” the doctor began, as he stood at the foot of the bed.

      Timothy kissed Rebecca’s hand and she smiled up at him sweetly.

      “From what Rebecca has explained to me, and the nature of her discomfort, I suspect she’s had some damage to her rib cage. Her condition is causing some pressure and may become much worse as her situation progresses. Any other time I would consider binding her ribs, but in this circumstance it is out of the question.”

       Timothy ran his fingers through his hair.

      “Tim, listen to me,” the doctor spoke sternly. “Rebecca is in perfect health otherwise and her confinement appears quite normal in every other way. The damage is not too severe and there appears to be a fair amount of healing. There is no reason to think your wife and child are facing any serious risk.

      “Rebecca will experience some discomfort. In fact, she may be quite uncomfortable from time to time, and she is to avoid any strenuous activities until the baby is born. You keep her fairly quiet and I expect you’ll be bouncing your first-born on your knee before you know it.”

      The big man shook the doctor’s hand, thanking him as he left the room, and then knelt beside the bed.

      “I’m so sorry, Timothy.” Rebecca whispered.

      “If I ever find Dianna, I swear I’ll kill her!” He ground his teeth.

      “Timothy, stop it. The doctor said I’ll be fine. I feel fine now, and for all of the time we’ve been here I’ve been feeling wonderful.” She smiled at him reassuringly. “You told me yourself that I’ll be trapped by the snow soon. Now I have something to do. I’ll work on a new baby!”

      Timothy looked into her eyes and swallowed hard.

      “Like the doctor said, you’ll be bouncing our baby soon. Please stop your worrying. We’re going to have a baby!”