The Duke's Reform (25 page)

      '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 then, 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, can you run down and 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
again, 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 still 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.

      She 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.

      Lucinda, who had fallen
asleep, woke and wailed her protest at being sandwiched between her parents in
this unexpected manner. He sat back and, picking up the baby, he kissed her
puckered face tenderly. 'Little madam, already wishing to be the centre of
attention.'

      Miraculously the crying
stopped and the baby snuggled into his shoulder falling instantly asleep.
Isobel blinked back her tears. He was such a good father, as confident as she
in handling the infant. He gave her to the waiting nursemaid and returned to
collect the letters allowing Isobel time to rearrange her clothing. Of course
he was competent; she kept forgetting he had been married and a father before.

      'Here, darling, read the
contents for
yourself
. I've Reynolds coming to discuss
estate business so I shall visit you both later this afternoon.'

      Excellent news— her entire
family was to make the long journey from Norfolk for the baptism. The last time
she had seen her parents had been her wedding day and had not spent time with
her siblings since before she went to London for the season. Her aunt and uncle
were also coming, and her cousin Petunia was to bring the young man she was
engaged to marry. He sounded a pleasant enough gentleman, not much older than
Pet, with no title but a considerable fortune. He must be prodigiously handsome
to have captured her cousin's heart.

      He smiled as she recalled her
cousin saying she would not marry until she'd had at least three seasons. The
unfortunate young man must believe Petunia would never be his wife as the
engagement was now of more than a year and a half's duration.

      Mary was due to make her
morning visit to discuss the menus and any other matters pertaining to the
household. This was an event Isobel now enjoyed, unlike the meetings she'd been
obliged to endure with the previous housekeeper. If there was to be a house
party next month, plans would need to be made well in advance. The nursery
upstairs would have to be opened to accommodate her four brothers and three
sisters who would be accompanying her parents.

      'There will be a governess
and tutor as well as the nanny and nursemaids, plus several other members of
staff coming with my family, Mary.'

      'I shall prepare several
guest suites as well as rooms for the junior staff. Don't worry, my lady, we
could accommodate a hundred extra folk and still not be quite full.'

      Isobel sighed. 'I can't like
this house, I've really tried, but it's far too large. I don't understand why
Alexander's grandfather should choose to build such a monstrosity.'

     
'Lawks!
The Duke of Rochester must have a grand establishment as his main seat, my
lady. It goes with the title, never mind how uncomfortable it is to live in for
the family.'

      'I should not cavil, since
the installation of the new kitchens and now Mrs Baverstock is in charge, the
food is excellent. This apartment, and the nursery, is everything it should be.
I don't know what's wrong with me, but since I was delivered I am no longer a
watering pot. Instead I've turned into a shrew.'

      'What you need to do, my
lady, if you'll forgive me for speaking out of turn, is get outside and enjoy
the sunshine. I know what the physician told you, but he doesn't know you as
well as I. Shall I call Ellie to help you change into your promenade dress?'

      'Yes, I shan't delay until
tomorrow. Also, my dogs will be thinking I've abandoned them, I haven't seen
them for weeks.'

The brisk walk she took with her
pets frolicking around her ankles, Ellie at her side, restored her equanimity
and blew away the cobwebs. On her return she met Alexander in the entrance
hall.

     
'Isobel?
I had not thought to see you down today, but I am delighted you're here. I've
the most amazing news— Reynolds is to be married.'

      The estate manager was a
relatively young man. Why was this news so astounding? Was he a misogynist only
just discovering women were to his taste? 'I'm pleased for him, but why are you
so excited?'

      He grinned ruefully. 'I've
known this man since he was a
boy,
he grew up on the
estate and followed his father into the position of factor. Like me he was
married young but his wife ran off with a soldier. He has been moping about
unable to declare his love to a local girl as he was already married. He had
word yesterday that he's now a widower.'

      'It seems wrong to be
celebrating his wife's demise, even if she did desert him for another. How long
is it since the first Mrs Reynolds ran away?'

      'It must be more than ten
years; I can scarcely remember the girl. The bans are to be read this week and
the marriage to take place at the end of the month. He has asked me to stand up
for him and I've agreed.'

      'Lucinda is to be baptised
then. I should like the church flower-filled for our
celebration,
if it's done a day in advance Mr Reynolds and his new wife can share them with
us.'

      His eyes dropped to her milk
engorged breasts. 'I think our baby must be crying for her lunch, my darling,
so I shan't detain you longer.'

      She ran lightly up the
staircase revelling in the fact she could move freely after being incarcerated
for so long. How did Alexander know it was time to return to the nursery? She
could feel the milk, but had not known this was apparent to anyone else. She
paused and glanced down at her bosom. Good gracious! She was leaking and her
lovely muslin gown had two extremely damp patches.

      Much as she loved feeding her
child she could hardly appear in public as she was. If she was obliged to
remain in her apartments until the baby was weaned she would be fit for Bedlam.
Today would be the last day. She would ask Dr Jamieson, when he came tomorrow,
what she should do to discourage her milk from flowing so copiously.

      Over dinner that night
Alexander told her he was going to London the next day to see his lawyers. 'I
suppose Bentley will wish to come back with you. He must be delighted our baby
is a girl.'

      'Exactly so; I shall
discourage him from returning until his accommodation is complete. Sam Watkins
is proving to be extremely useful to me; he has been overseeing the
improvements and is making a splendid job of it.'

      'I've no longer any need for
a man of business and was concerned he would have to return to being a groom.'

'He would be wasted. I've already
spoken to him and offered him the position of under-estate manager. This means
Reynolds can now visit all my other properties knowing there's someone reliable
to take care of things in his absence.'

      'I can't believe how happy I
am, my love. Have you noticed everyone else around us is smiling too?'

      He reached out and stroked
her hand. 'Happiness is infectious, darling, but I think the absence of Maynard
and Foster has a lot to do with the good humour of our staff.'

      Despite being held captive in
her apartments during the day Isobel always came down to dinner. They had taken
to sitting outside on the terrace after their meal. She much preferred to be
there than in the formal drawing room. He joined her on the padded bench and
slipped his arms around her shoulders, encouraging her to lean against him.

      'I shan't be away more than a
few days. I can send for my lawyers to attend me here if you would prefer I
didn't go.'

      She had not yet told him her
decision to stop feeding Lucinda and decided to let it be a surprise for him
when he returned. Whatever the physician told her, she was more than ready to
welcome him back in her bed. 'Alexander, have you written to your friend to ask
how he and his wife avoid yearly pregnancies?'

      'No I shall do so whilst I'm
in town.' His smile sent waves of desire racing around her body. There was no
doubt he was as eager as she to resume the intimacies of marriage.

      'Then I shall be happy for
you to go. Remember, I am well used to spending time at Newcomb on my own and
things are very different from the way they were last year.'

      They parted outside his bed
chamber. As usual he kissed her lightly on the lips and bid her goodnight. She
was disappointed he had not shown more passion. After all in a few days they
would be sharing a bed once more. She was worrying about nothing— the smile
he'd given her earlier was sign enough that he still desired her.

*

Dr Jamieson explained the best way to stop her milk was to
bind her breasts tightly and to avoid being in the vicinity of the baby when
she cried for her feed. He assured her that as she had only been feeding for a
few weeks her milk would soon dry up. Apparently, only after six weeks did it
became fully established. He also said she could resume riding if she wished
and he had no need to call again unless there were problems with the infant or
herself.

      Sultan, the gelding she'd
purchased whilst living in Norfolk, might well have forgotten her by now.
Although she had visited him in the stables, she had not ridden since they'd
returned to Newcomb. Leaving Lucinda entirely in the care of Nanny Cooper was
going to be difficult, but if she was to stop nursing this was the only way.

      Dressed in a smart, royal
blue habit she hurried down to the stables. Both dogs were as keen as she was
to go out. Her mount was saddled and waiting, the groom holding his head was
Jethro who'd come back with the staff from Grosvenor Square.

      'I don't wish to go too far
this morning, Jethro, it's been many months since I've ridden.'

      'A brisk canter around the
park will suit Sultan, your grace. He's not as fit as he could be. He's thrown
a few of the stable lads.'

      Isobel rammed her foot into
the single stirrup iron and gathered up the reins. Perhaps she would ride the
pretty dapple grey mare instead. She could feel the gelding's muscles bunching
beneath her, his neck arched and he mouthed the bit impatiently.

      Should she dismount and ask
for the other horse to the saddled? Before she could decide Ebony spied one of
the stable cats and chased it across the yard scattering the fowl that were
pecking for stray morsels of corn. Sultan reared, snatched the bit between his
teeth and took off at a gallop. It took all her skill to remain in the saddle.
There was no way she could stop such a powerful animal. She must sit tight and
pray he exhausted himself before they came to grief.