My Once Handsome Husband - Chapter 276

The Doctor from the village was an older man with greying hair and a mustache he twisted when he was thinking.  He smiled kindly at Delaney and began his examination after a short introduction.  He had been with an ailing older man most of the night and she could tell he was tired but she was so thankful he had come quickly to see her anyway.

Delaney sat still while she was poked and prodded, answering every question he asked of her.  Her heart was racing which the doctor commented on with a chuckle, telling her there was nothing to be afraid of.  She didn’t bother telling him it was nerves not fear.

After what seemed like ages but was actually not too long, he stepped aside and let Delaney sit up and pull her robe on.  Ms. Bird and Ava had been waiting anxiously themselves from the other side of the bed and now they looked like they were about to pop from excitement.

“Well,” the old man smiled kindly at her, “You’re definitely pregnant.”

Delaney felt as if her heart stopped.  Until that moment she had tried to keep her hopes low, fearing the worst.  She had avoided even touching her belly, not wanting to let her emotions take flight only to be dashed down if the doctor had said they were wrong.  But now he had confirmed her maids were right and she was going to have a baby.

Vincent’s baby.

The doctor was still talking, telling her things to do and not do, but she was still in such shock he sounded like he was underwater.  Luckily she had no doubt both her maids would be soaking up his every word.  When he finally finished she nodded and smiled, quietly thanking him.

“Don’t worry my dear you’ll be fine,” the doctor chuckled, “You’re young and healthy.  Besides I’ve met that husband of yours.  This baby is sure to be a strong little thing and a beauty to boot.”

Delaney felt her heart warm at that.  She knew better than anyone how strong and handsome her husband was.  She could only hope their baby turned out as wonderful as he was.

She thanked the doctor again before saying goodbye.  Ava went with him to show him out.  Delaney was left alone with Ms. Bird and the moment the door closed she was surprised to hear the older woman make a sort of squeal of excitement.

“I knew it!  Oh my Lady I knew it!  I always knew you and Lord Adair would be able to have a family of your own.  He almost lost it all with his silly “sending you away” business but now look!  It’s happened anyway.  Oh, I just couldn’t be any happier for you.”

Delaney giggled but felt tears in her eyes.  When she looked up at her old maid she saw the woman also had happy tears on her face.  Standing, Delaney stopped caring about what was proper for just a moment and went forward to hug this woman who had become something like a mother to her.  Ms. Bird hugged her tightly back and her tears increased.

“I know I’m crying like a fool” she chuckled at herself, “But I’m just so happy for you and Lord Adair.  After everything that’s happened… I don’t know any two other people who deserve this happiness like the two of you.”

Delaney laughed through her tears and thanked the woman.  Ava came back in and smiled fondly when she saw them there.

“Well what will you do now?” the younger maid asked once the other women had calmed down again.  Delaney had insisted they both take seats in the chairs by her table and now she sat at the foot of her bed to face them.

“I… I don’t know,” she answered, shaking her head, “I never imagined this would happen.  I don’t know what to do from here.”

“Well, you’ll go to Edgewood of course,” Ms. Bird chuckled, “You’ll go straight to that stubborn husband of yours and tell him what a terrible mistake he made but luckily for him you’ve fixed it.”

The three women giggled at this.  Delaney realized by now Ms. Bird had probably filled Ava in on the details of how the duchess came to live on an estate away from the duke.  As embarrassing as it was she was just happy she wasn’t the one who had to explain it.

“We could have them get the carriage ready for you,” Ava offered, “You could leave for Edgewood today.  It would be a bit late when you arrived but not much.  I’m sure the household would still be awake.”

Delaney considered this, dropping her gaze, “I don’t know…”

Ms. Bird and Ava looked at one another in surprise before looking back at her.

“What do you mean you don’t know my Lady?” Ms. Bird shook her head, “You have to tell Lord Adair.  And the sooner the better I say.”

“I suppose so,” she said quietly, “But… but I was thinking maybe I should wait until the stomach sickness gets better.  If not I’ll have to have the carriage stop all the time so I can be sick.”

Ava chuckled, “If you are going to wait for that to end you might end up waiting until the baby comes.  With my son, I was sick almost all the way through.  It gets a bit better but it might not totally stop.”

“Yes,” Ms. Bird agreed, “You can’t let that keep you from going.  The men can drive slow and you can stop them as often as you need to.  They will understand.”

“If my husband drives you he will definitely understand,” Ava added, “He’ll remember it all quite clearly from when I was pregnant.  He became used to having to stop all the time for me.”

Delaney smiled at them for a moment before looking back down at her wedding ring as she turned it around and around on her finger.

“I should probably at least wait a while until we’re sure nothing is going to… going to happen to the baby.  I wouldn’t want to go and tell everyone at Edgewood I have this wonderful news only for something to happen and everything to be ruined.”

Ms. Bird frowned, “Well no one would blame you if something happened. Besides I’m sure everything is going to be fine.”

“Yes,” the young maid agreed cheerfully, “You heard the doctor.  He said himself you were going to be fine and that you are young and healthy.  Nothing is going to go wrong with your baby.  You’re going to give Lord Adair a healthy little heir.”

Delaney nodded again but didn’t bother looking up.

“Do you suppose I should write to him first to tell him?  Then let him decide what he wants to do.  He might decide to come here or tell me to go there or… or say we should both stay as we are.”

“Why Lady Adair,” Ms. Bird looked at her in shock, realizing what was going on, “Do you truly believe Lord Adair won’t be absolutely thrilled to learn you’re having a baby?  He loves you!”

“I-I know he does,” she said quietly, feeling her heart beating hard, “But… But he did send me away and is trying to ensure our marriage contract is broken… What if he sees this as a sort of… wrench in his plans?”

“Oh my goodness there’s no way he will see it like that,” Ava said seriously, “I met him when he came to see Honeywell and I could tell by the way he spoke about you how much he loved you.  Ms. Bird is right.  He’ll be very happy.”

“My dear he only sent you away because he was worried he couldn’t give you a family,” Ms. Bird reminded her, “But now that’s not a problem anymore.  He won’t be trying to break your contract now.”

“I was sure when I went to Edgewood the last time that he would choose to stay with me after the King denied his request to break our contract.  He still sent me away though.  I love him madly and he loves me and he still sent me back to my Aunt and Uncles.”

Ms. Bird reached forward and took her hand, “My Lady I assure you your husband will be happy.  He will be so happy to see you and as soon as you tell him your news he will be even happier.”

“I agree,” Ava smiled, “And if the worst does happen, you have Honeywell now and can live happily here with your baby.  We’ll all help you and take care of you both.”

Delaney looked up at them with a loving smile.  She couldn’t completely stop her worry but they did make her feel better.  She just had to pray they were right about her husband.

“Thank you both,” she said quietly before taking a deep breath, “Tell them to get the carriage ready then.”

Both maids hurried out to get things prepared for her departure.  All alone in her room, Delaney walked up to her mirror and looked at her reflection.  Turning to the side, she pulled her nightgown tight and inhaled sharply when it revealed there was a little curve beneath it.  She had been too sick and sad to notice.

Trembling with nerves, Delaney reached down slowly and at last, rested her hands on her belly.  Feeling it made it suddenly even more real than seeing it or hearing it from the doctor.  It was real.  There was a baby growing there under her hands.

It was her baby.  A mix of herself and the man she loved.  Thinking about it now she felt happiness wash over her at last.  She was so happy to be having this baby.

Now, she just had to pray Vincent would be as well.