Fenella Miller - The Duke’s Reform

“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.

Isobel 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.

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. 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 with 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 a 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 arm 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.