Nancy nodded gratefully. “That would be lovely; thank you so much.”
Mrs. Silverstone smiled at her gently and led her back in the direction they had come, stating that it would be best if Nancy had a glass of water before they continued their mission.
In the end, Nancy picked a room two doors down from her and her husband’s chambers which she felt had the right amount of sunlight, and Mrs. Silverstone let her know that they would begin cleaning it as soon as possible.
“When you are ready to buy furniture, simply let me know,” the housekeeper had added with a comforting smile before she left to handle other duties.
Nancy greatly appreciated her presence and comfort, and she spent the rest of the morning basking in the confidence the woman had given her.
However, it all melted away when Richard returned.
The moment he set foot in the same room as her, he ran towards her and lifted her up into his arms.
“Hello you,” he told her and kissed her deeply.
Once he had rendered her breathless and light-headed he spoke again.
“I missed you dearly. We should never part again.”
“You’re the one who left me at home alone,” she pouted.
“And for that, I am sorry, my dear wife. I shall resolve never to make the same mistake again. I spent the entire time thinking of you. Perhaps you might accompany me next time?”
“Perhaps,” she echoed with a small smile, losing the nerve to tell him with every passing moment.
He kissed her head and took her hand as he began to guide them to his study.
“Did you have a good morning, my love?” he asked softly.
Nancy thought of her discovery and the panic that followed as well as the hopes she held deeply in her heart.
The safest thing she thought to say was, “It certainly was an interesting morning.”
* * *
As it turned out, other forces became involved in Nancy’s situation, increasing the difficulty she faced in regard to telling her husband.
Because just as she had summoned enough courage or motivation to impulsively blurt out the news she wished to share, something would interrupt their conversation.
The first few times, it had been a little exasperating how she had called for his attention only to have it stolen by Ernest, who merely wanted to remind the Duke that he had a business meeting later that afternoon.
Then she had felt betrayed when she had held onto Richard’s hand and said, “Richard, there is something I wish to—” only to be interrupted by Dash’s happy yaps.
“Dash! You’re very excited today,” Richard had noted, bending forward to pick the dog up.
Nancy had stared at her puppy, swarmed by a feeling that told her she had been wronged somehow.
By the time Richard had faced her again to ask what she had been saying, she had swallowed her words once more and found no courage to try again.
She felt silly, playing this game of push and pull, despite how much she yearned to tell him.
“I don’t understand why I cannot just… tell him,” she complained to the housekeeper.
“You are merely nervous, Your Grace. This is important, and in your mind, you want it to come up in a perfectly seamless manner. And there’s nothing wrong with that, but all this stress cannot be good for the little one you are carrying,” Mrs. Silverstone pointed out.
Nancy put a hand on her stomach, noting that nothing had quite changed about it yet, but she still felt different, somehow.
“You are right. I will tell him soon. Somehow. And I’ll try not to worry about it anymore.”
