Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 86167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
A blush bloomed on her cheeks. “If you were to control yourself, I’d have to wonder what was wrong with you. It’s enough that one of us is under the weather.”
He slid a look down at her décolletage, thinking he must let her rest tonight, then noticed her perfectly formed breasts looked a bit more pillowy than normal. Was it the plainer gown that made them look larger, or…? He realized with a start that her courses had not interrupted their lovemaking in many weeks.
“Elizabeth. Darling. This way you are feeling… Could you be with child?”
She went still, putting a hand upon her middle, then met his questioning gaze. “Could I be?”
“Considering the frequency of our…intimate activities…I would say yes. I’ve heard morning illness is a common symptom.”
“Oh my goodness. With child?” After a moment of clutching her belly, her shock turned to a wondering smile. “Oh, August. Perhaps we shall have a baby. I wonder if it will be a girl or a boy? Oh.” She bit her lip in consternation. “I hope he or she comes out normal. Not strange like me.”
“If you talk like that, I will spank you. Yes, even in your condition.” He kissed her frown away. “We are past such thoughts, remember? You’re perfect as you are, and any children we have shall be perfect, especially if they take after you.”
“We don’t know if I’m having a baby at all.” She laid her hands over her waistline again. “We shouldn’t tell anyone until we consult a midwife.”
He put a hand atop hers, grinning. “If you stand about like that, clutching your middle, everyone will guess.”
“They’ll just think I’ve given myself a stomachache with too many sweet treats.” She took on a dreamy expression. “Mmm, I hope there will be cream puffs at this party. The king adores French pastries.”
“Should we still attend?” Now that he suspected his wife was pregnant with their first child, he felt a fierce protective instinct to keep her safely hidden away. “Are you well enough? Are you sure?”
“I’m sure, darling. I already feel better.” She brushed a speck of dust from his black coat’s lapel and smoothed his silk cravat. “And the great Earl of Augustine must appear at such a distinguished function, or he will be missed.”
“The great Earl of Augustine shall make us even later if you regard me in that flirtatious manner.”
“I only find you extremely handsome.”
“And extremely late, at this point.” He took her hand and tucked it over his arm. “Let’s head to Buckingham, if we’re going to go. We’ll see if we can find you those cream puffs you crave.”
*
When they arrived at the palace’s cavernous new drawing rooms, Elizabeth began to wonder if she was not too under-dressed, to the point she would stick out for her plainness. Hundreds of guests crowded the adjoining chambers, and all of them were outfitted to extremes of ornate, ostentatious wealth.
“You look fine,” said August, patting her hand.
“Are you reading my mind now?”
“Wouldn’t that be a turn in circumstances?” he joked. “But no. It’s only that I’ve gotten good at deciphering your expressions. Smile, darling. There are my parents. And your parents!”
In fact, all the Oxfordshire families were set up in a corner along with Felicity and her family, helping themselves to the trays of canapes and fruit drinks the liveried footmen passed around.
The smell of Camembert cheese and pickled quail eggs had Elizabeth’s stomach turning over anew. She placed a gloved finger beneath her nose until the offending trays moved on.
“There’s our illustrious daughter-in-law,” said August’s father, Lord Barrymore. “Brave enough to come here again?”
They all remembered the circumstances of her previous visit and teased her often about becoming the “King’s special friend.”
“You see I am attempting to blend into the woodwork,” she said, accepting a hug from August’s mama.
“You’re too beautiful for that,” Lady Barrymore said, “and too well-regarded besides. Though if your gold gown was just a bit brighter, it would indeed match the gilt woodwork.”
“You must peek into the ballroom,” said her mama. “If you wish to see gold, you shall find it.” She took a closer look at her daughter, a gleam of curiosity entering her gaze. “Why, Lisbet, there is something different about you.”
And Elizabeth saw at once that her mother knew. She tried to hide her smile, but her mama noticed everything, and gave her hand a squeeze.
“Are you happy, darling?”
“Supremely happy, Mama. August as well. But you mustn’t tell anyone,” she whispered. “It is not certain yet.”
“I won’t tell anyone, but I am certain, and it’s not just your color, or that interesting dress.”
“Interesting?” she protested.
“I can mostly tell by the way your husband hovers over you, to prevent anything happening.”
“Guilty,” said August. “I can’t help myself.”
“Your father did the same to me,” the duchess said, laughing. “Well, we shall await a better time to spread the news. Today is the king’s day to revel in his glory.”