Page 35 of Vying for a Viscount
“No problem. Consider it done. That better not be the only thing you wanted to talk to me about, because you could’ve sent a note with the instructions,” Knight grumbled.
“Of course not,” Greyson hurried to say. “I was thinking of Wednesday and the assignments.”
“I have been as well. I’m calling a meeting for Tuesday at one. I feel as though we aren’t as well prepared as we should be.”
“I agree.”
“Good. Get out of here and let me get some sleep. I have a wife waiting for me at home.”
“You are a fortunate man, Your Grace.”
Knight nodded. “Don’t I know it.”
When he left Club Knight, he had a long list of people to see and things to do he’d been putting off. It was why he told Letitia he wouldn’t see her until he picked her up for the masquerade ball. If he didn’t buckle down on estate business and his family finances, he would get further and further behind.
Chapter Twelve
On Monday afternoon,Letitia decided at the last minute to visit Blackstone Manor for afternoon tea with Emmeline and Lilly. She found herself in her carriage, stuck in slow traffic, as her driver made their way to Blackstone Manor.
She had desperately needed to get out of the house because the day before had been the longest of her life. After spending Saturday riding in the park with him and that night having dinner at Danbury Hall, her entire being missed Greyson. How could she be so attached to him that she felt his absence every second of the day? She shook her head and sighed deeply, disliking the feeling of wanting to be by his side at all times. She’d never felt that way with Rutherford, and it was quite unsettling, to say the least.
She also needed to get her mind off tonight because at the stroke of midnight, the masquerade ball at Club Knight began. Since waking up this morning, her stomach had been a jumbled mess of nervous anticipation. One moment, she was excited to spend time with Greyson, free to show affection without the risk of disapproval. Then she’d panic, thinking about sleeping with him. Would she please him? She and Rutherford had enjoyed their time in the marriage bed. But she worried she wouldn’t please Greyson. She’d heard things, sexual things, discussed in drawing rooms. Things she’d never experienced with Rutherford. Shocking things that left her curious. But it all madeher insides ache with fear that Greyson would find her lacking in the bedroom.
It felt as though it had taken an hour to arrive at Blackstone Manor, and she was so very happy when the carriage stopped and her footman opened her door and helped her exit.
So now she sat in Blackstone Manor’s drawing room, sipping tea and listening to Emmeline and Lilly discuss Lilly’s pregnancy. She forced her worries aside and gave her attention to her friends. “Do you have morning sickness anymore?” Letitia asked.
Lilly smiled and placed her hand on her stomach. “Thankfully, not since my third month ended. I feel less tired, and my appetite has returned, which is good because Edmund was beside himself with worry about my health and the baby’s during the first three months.”
“I remember how worried Rutherford was. He was like a mother hen, hovering over me constantly, asking how I felt, whether I had eaten, and whether I had rested enough. It was sweet, but it began to annoy me the longer he hovered.”
Lilly giggled. “That sounds just like Edmund.”
“Since they can only watch us carry the child, it must be hard to understand, so they hover and drive us crazy with worry and questions,” Letitia said.
“Well, I for one can’t wait for Andrew to loom over me with worry,” Emmeline said, placing one hand delicately on her stomach. “Can you ladies keep a secret?”
Lilly and Letitia exchanged a look, and Letitia’s heart soared as she knew what Emmeline was going to say. “Yes,” both Lilly and Letitia said together.
“Andrew knows, but I want to keep it private for as long as possible. I’m with child.”
“This is wonderful news,” Lilly said, covering Emmeline’s hand with her own as they sat side by side on the settee. “Andrew must be over the moon with joy. And you... I’m beyond happy for you.”
“Thank you. Andrew has already started hovering. I never knew he was such a worrier, but honestly, it’s so sweet of him.”
“Congratulations to you both,” Letitia said, dreaming of one day giving Greyson a child and hoping they would marry soon. She knew, without him saying so, that he cared for her, even loved her. But would he propose and marry her? She tried not to let herself get her hopes up, but it was hard not to. She loved him so much that her heart called out to him when they were together. It was something she couldn’t ignore, and she didn’t believe it would ever go away.
“Thank you. It’s still early, and I’m trying not to worry too much. I miscarried while I was married to my first husband. It was long ago, but I haven’t forgotten how devastating and heartbreaking it was.”
“I’m so sorry you went through that, but worrying won’t do you or the baby any good,” Letitia said. “But I understand worrying about your unborn child. I did the same while pregnant with Simon.”
“Does the constant worry ever go away?” Lilly asked, looking expectantly.
“I wish I could say it does, but it doesn’t. Not even after the baby’s born or when they are two years old. I worry about Simon all the time. I suppose it’s a mother’s prerogative and curse to worry about their offspring. But it’s worth it when you hold your little one close. There’s nothing like the love you feel for your child, or the unconditional love a child returns.”
“Ahhh,” Lilly wiped a tear from her cheek. “I can’t wait to hold my little one.”
“Nor I,” Emmeline added. “Enough of us. We heard that Hunter proposed to Anastasia.”
