CHAPTER 28
“CONGRATULATIONS LADYHartfield. You are pregnant.”
“A-are you sure, doctor?”
Doctor Finlay smiled kindly. With his blonde good looks and easy manner, he was not what you would expect from a physician. Yet, despite his youth, he already enjoyed a great reputation among the ladies of the ton. She suspected his handsomeness had something to do with his success. But he also had an intelligent gaze and confident manner that was able to put at ease his patients, which was why she had chosen him.
After a few embarrassing questions, and an even more embarrassing exam, he had confirmed her suspicions.
“As sure as can be, my lady. But I guess you already know in your heart it is true.”
Yes, she did. And yet, she could scarcely believe it. She had been feeling tired and sluggish of late, but she had blamed it on all the preparations for Elizabeth’s debut.
When the tiredness had not gone away a week after the presentation, despite daily afternoon naps and a leisurely schedule, she knew something was off. Then yesterday she consulted her calendar and noticed that her courses were over two weeks late.
She had barely managed to contain her excitement until she could confirm with the doctor. That first time, not even the midwife had been sure. That memory still haunted her, so she pushed it aside. She was fairly certain this time, but still had wanted to have confirmation. No point in getting Colin’s hopes up if it turned out it wasn’t real.
But it was! She left the doctor’s practice and now stood on the street next to her carriage with a dazed expression on her face.
“Milady?” the footman asked, opening the carriage door for her, and she climbed in absentmindedly. A feeling very close to elation was exploding in her chest. Oh, this was a miracle! Well, not entirely a miracle. After all, they had engaged often in the activity necessary to beget children. But it happened so fast!
Before, she had been married for years when... no. She would not think of her first marriage or the events that transpired then. She would not allow past hurts to spoil the happiness of the moment. She could hardly wait to tell Colin and silently urged the carriage to move faster through the crowded streets of London.
She and Colin had created a baby. She placed her hands over her still flat belly in wonderment. A new life was growing there. A baby. Her eyes watered. Oh, drat! She was such a watering pot lately! Another consequence of the pregnancy, she suspected. The coach at last rumbled to a stop in front of her home, and she swiped at her tears before descending.
Colin had wanted a child. Said it was the main reason he married, to provide an heir. Oh, she had been so worried that she would fail in that regard! He had not seemed concerned one way or the other, but she knew men wanted children. Especially titled men. Her lips stretched in an uncontainable smile. She would not fail this time. She would give Colin his heir.
Full of happiness and confidence, she mounted the steps of Hartfield house. A footman opened the door immediately. She gave him her hat, gloves and parasol and asked him.
“Where is my husband?”
“I believe Lord Hartfield is in his study, my lady.”
She almost ran down the hallway. Only years of training in decorum prevented her from breaking into a full, undignified gallop. She opened the door without knocking and found Colin sitting at his desk, poring over paperwork.
He looked up in surprise at her sudden entrance, but smiled in welcome, coming to his feet.
“Abigail. You look rather flushed.” He observed. His eyes were warm as he offered her a hand.
“Yes, well. I have just come from the doctor.”
His brows instantly came together in a worried frown. “Are you feeling well? Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked, and she could tell it was no polite inquiry. There was genuine worry behind that question, the doctor in him coming to attention at once. She smiled brilliantly.
“Yes! I’m absolutely fine. In fact, I’m pregnant.”
