“And I you, my love,” Richard whispered back.
Epilogue
FOUR MONTHS LATER
Nancy felt her heart drop as she had woken up that morning.
It had nothing to do with the fact that Richard had left their bed quite early that morning, desiring a quick horse ride suddenly. No, it had more to do with the suspicions she had harbored for a few weeks which she had just confirmed.
She was relieved that Richard was not home as she knew she would’ve struggled to tell him.
As she ate her breakfast, her mind raced with endless questions, the most important of which was how she would break the news to her husband, eventually.
Mrs. Silverstone noticed her odd mood and immediately began to fuss over her.
“Are you all right, Your Grace? Is the food not to your liking? I can ask the cook to make something else?—”
“Oh, no, that won’t be necessary. I am just… a little lost in thought. Do not worry,” Nancy quickly answered.
“If there is anything you need, please let me know.” The older woman curtsied.
She had begun to walk away from the table when Nancy spoke up hesitantly.
“Actually…”
Half an hour after her breakfast, the housekeeper led her through the castle, pointing out unused rooms. “Some of the ones on this side of the castle will need some repairs, depending on what you intend to use them for.”
Nancy nodded absentmindedly, noting that the unoccupied rooms were either random bedrooms or studies that were still kept clean. Still, she wondered about the one room she had yet to see.
“Mrs. Silverstone?”
“Yes, Your Grace?”
“What… What about the nursery?”
The housekeeper stopped in her tracks. “The nursery,” she echoed.
Nancy swallowed. “Yes. I can’t help but notice that there isn’t one, and it is odd, given that Richard and his brother were raised in this castle?—”
“My goodness, Your Grace. You are with child.”
Panic welled within Nancy, and although it confused her, she did give in to it, telling the woman, “Not so loud!”
Mrs. Silverstone let out an odd noise that sounded like a squeak before she clapped a hand over her mouth. “My apologies, Your Grace. I just—I got carried away. It won’t happen again.”
Nancy felt sorry for being harsh and shook her head quickly. “No, I… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—I’ve only just realized it myself this morning. I haven’t seen my courses in two months, and it’s… I haven’t told Richard yet. I know that he loves me, but I fear that he might think we are not ready. I do not feel ready, and I am worried about harboring any sort of hope because what if he feels otherwise?”
“Oh, Your Grace,” Mrs. Silverstone cooed gently, wrapping her arms around Nancy as fears filled her eyes. “He won’t feel otherwise. His Grace thinks the world of you. I’m sure that he will be excited about the news. You both will make excellent parents, I am sure about it. Do not fret.”
Nancy sniffed, accepting the handkerchief the woman offered, saying as she dabbed her tears, “I don’t know how I am going to tell him. Isn’t that silly?”
“No, Your Grace. I do not believe that it is. You do not need to tell him today. Whenever you are ready, you can share the wonderful news with him,” Mrs. Silverstone advised.
“Thank you,” Nancy mumbled with a watery smile.
“The pleasure is always mine, Your Grace,” the housekeeper said soothingly.
“Now, onto the matter of the nursery. There was one, but after His Grace had outgrown it and moved into a room of his own, his father had turned it into a storage room for his hunting equipment. I do not advise that you use that room. We can pick another, one just as grand, and I will appoint a few maids to clear it out and clean it, discreetly. Until you are ready to let His Grace know.”
