Page 41 of The Bachelor Spy
Dr. Ross listened carefully, occasionally nodding or looking to Miss Dougall, his expression growing increasingly knowing. But not grave, so that was certainly encouraging.
In fact, he almost smiled.
“And when was your last monthly course, Lady Astley?”
Grace’s brows shot high. Monthly course?
She’d never been asked about that before. The heat that had previously left her cheeks suddenly rushed back into her face, and she cleared her throat, trying to remember. “I … I’m not certain. They’ve always been rather irregular, and with all the stress of the hospital, I didn’t think …” She trailed off, the heat in her face trailing down her neck into her chest.
Oh.
Oh.
“If I might examine you?” Dr. Ross said gently. “Just a brief examination. I will have Miss Dougall assist.”
Could it be? Truly?
But wouldn’t she have known?
“Of course.” Grace’s voice sounded strange to her own ears.
The examination was quick. Dr. Ross asked her to stand, pressed gently on various parts of her abdomen, listened to her heart. Turned her away from the door and had her unbutton the bottom few buttons of her blouse and pressed again, placing the stethoscope to her abdomen too.
To her abdomen? What on earth could he hear in there? Surely not a baby. There wasn’t even room for one.
And then she recalled she’d forgotten to eat breakfast … again.
He finally stepped back with a warm smile.
“Well, Lady Astley, I’m pleased to inform you that you’re in excellent health. In fact, you’re in the very specific excellent health of a woman who is approximately four to five months with child.”
Grace stared at him, the words emerging into comprehension as if they had to fight through fog to get there.
“Truly?” With child? Four or five months along? Just around the time Frederick had last visited?
“Yes, you are expecting a baby.” His grin only broadened. “Probably due sometime in January, if my calculations are correct from this examination and the date of Lord Astley’s last visit.” Dr. Ross’ smile widened. “Congratulations. Your husband will be delighted.”
A baby.
Grace pressed both hands to her stomach—the stomach that had been growing rounder, which she’d attributed to Mrs. Lennox’s cakes. But it wasn’t cakes at all.
It was a baby.
Frederick’s baby.
For a moment, pure joy flooded through her. Their child. The baby they’d hoped for, prayed for.
January? She blinked and looked up at him. That meant only months to prepare. To read all the books. To find a waynotto die. “How did I not know? I’ve missed five months of preparing!”
His smile turned gentle. “Do you have any family here? An older relation who may have noticed your symptoms and is on equal terms to speak to you about them?”
Did she? Elinor, Frederick’s sister, perhaps. But they’d not seen each other very often over the last month, when her gowns had truly become uncomfortable. “Aunt Lavinia has been away for two months in London, helping with the war effort, but I’ve spent some time with my sister-in-law. Though we never spoke of such things as this. And of course I have my lady’s maid, Ellie.”
“My understanding is, Lady Astley,” Miss Dougall interjected, “that servants are reluctant to speak of such things with their mistresses.”
Of course. She released a long sigh. “Do you mean the entire staff could know something I didn’t even know about myself?”
Dr. Ross’ lips curved up a sliver. “It is possible they’ve had more experience recognizing such things in the past, simply from their life journeys or perhaps witnessing childbirth within their own families.”
