Page 98 of The Pursuit of Mrs. Pennyworth
EPILOGUE
September, 1889, Bath, England
Elliot leaned against the bedchamber doorway, in the spacious house they’d moved to from London, a few months prior. He shook his head as his unhappy wife shifted one way, then the other. A low moan escaped her lips as she moved once more.
The poor woman was seven months pregnant and looked as though she was carrying an elephant in her belly. Not that he’d had a great deal of experience with pregnant ladies, but it seemed to him there must be more than one child in there. But each time the doctor had examined her, he’d reiterated that there was only one child, but a large one. A large one? With the way she looked, this babe would come out walking, talking, and demanding a cigar and brandy. He shook his head as his miserable wife turned onto her side and opened her eyes. “Good morning.” She offered him a gentle smile, in contrast to the dark circles under her eyes.
“It doesn’t look like such a good morning for you.” He pushed away from the doorway and moved to the bed, to sit alongside her. “You were up for a while again last night.”
“Yes. My back hurt, and I find walking helps.” She moved to sit up, but Elliot grabbed her under her arms and hauled her up against the headboard.
“I’m concerned with all the decorating you’ve been doing. I’m not sure that’s good for you or the babe.”
Charlotte waved her hand. “Nonsense. Beatrice and Bridget did all the hard work. I merely point and say ‘there’.” All their London staff, along with Molly, her baby, and her grandparents had made the move with them from London to Bath when they decided with a babe on the way, the air here was better than in London.
Molly and her little family had settled into a snug cottage only a few blocks from Charlotte and Elliot’s house. She worked as Cook’s assistant while her grandparents tended to the baby. Bridget had told them Molly had been stepping out with a young man who already adored little Betsy.
Elliot had given up the investigation part of his business once they married and had secured a considerable number of new legal clients both in London and Bath.
Charlotte had been annoyed to learn that with Gabriel’s will, once she re-married, the control of her money went directly from the solicitor to her new husband. She had threatened to join the women’s rights movement after that little fact had come to light.
To keep her happy, they decided together to donate a good portion of the money to St. Jerome’s, and put the rest away for the benefit of their children.
“Shall I have Bridget fetch you tea and breakfast?”
Charlotte shook her head. “No. I don’t feel quite the thing this morning, and my back still hurts.”
He eyed her with concern. “Is it not too early for the babe to be thinking of making an appearance?”
“With the way I feel, it could not be soon enough.” She stopped and sucked in a shallow breath, her face pale, and her eyes wide. “Now where did that come from?”
Elliot hopped up. “What? What happened?”
“Nothing, I’m sure.” However, she didn’t look sure, but worried, which only increased his anxiety.
“Maybe we should send for the doctor?”
“No. I’m certain it’s nothing. I just wish my back would stop hurting.” Charlotte moved around a bit, attempting to adjust her position. “Maybe I will take some tea after all.”
“Yes, right away.” He eyed her cautiously and made for the door. Before he reached it, she let out with a squeak, and he turned. “What?”
She was panting, and a light sheen of sweat covered her face. “I don’t know.” She swung her legs over the side of the bed, then looked down. “I’m wet.”
He strode back to the bed and looked behind her on the mattress. A large stain of some sort with a slight tinge of red covered the area she’d been sitting in. His heart dropped to his stomach at the sight. Not wanting her to see that and become frantic, he wrapped his arm around her and lifted her up. “I’m going to change your nightgown, then settle you on the chair by the window.”
She regarded him with wide eyes. “Is something wrong?”
“No, nothing is wrong, but I am going to have Bridget sit with you. Considering your backache, and the pains you just experienced, I think it’s best to summon the doctor.”
They struggled together to get the wet nightgown off, and a fresh one on her. Once she was as comfortable as possible, given her bulk, he left the room in search of females to take care of his wife, who he believed was getting ready to deliver the elephant-child.
“Bridget!” Attempting to remain calm but concerned that it was much too early for the babe to make an appearance, he grabbed the startled maid as she entered the drawing room. “You must see to Mrs. Baker. She is having pains, and I believe her waters have broken.”
“Oh, dear.” The young girl looked as scared as he felt.
He gave her a slight push to get her moving. “Go. I will have Thomas fetch the doctor.”
“Yes, sir.” Bridget raced up the stairs, leaving Elliot in search of Thomas, who he found lounging in the kitchen, drinking tea.
