“Sorry, Mother,” she said, rather simply. “It has been a big day, is all. We were riding.”
“Oh? Riding where?”
“About the estate,” she said. “His Grace is a rather adept rider, and I was eager to learn from him.”
“That is good to hear,” Lady Worthington said with a curt nod. “I do hope that you were careful, dear. You know I always hated you riding.”
Again, Hudson looked at his wife, expecting a quick-witted response. He did not know what she might say, as he was not so sharp himself. But somehow, Florentia always seemed to have a retort at the ready, unexpected and savage, while still somehow amusing.
“I was careful,” she said simply. As she spoke, she sat herself up, hands folded on her lap, chin held high. “And I was sure to listen when His Grace instructed me. I did not wish to make a fool of myself.”
“Good girl,” her mother nodded.
Hudson found himself staring at his wife. At first, it was in shock, because he did not understand why she was being so placid. Was it because her mind was still on their moment in the stable, and she was trying not to give herself away?
Eventually, Hudson realized that she was speaking this way because her parents expected it of her. Raised of the ton, her parents strict and proper, she was clearly brought up to behave in a way that they thought to be right—as any young lady should act. She was soft-spoken. She was polite. She was...well, she was not herself.
It made Hudson consider his own upbringing. How his father had molded him in his own image, hammering into him the importance of keeping his emotions in check above all else.I remember once, my father smacking me until I was so bruised that I could not sit, and for no other crime than laughing at a joke.
As different as Florentia and he were, in many ways, they were the same.
“I do wonder, however, is riding such a good idea?” Lady Worthington continued. A member of staff arrived with a tray of tea, and some sweet meats to snack upon.
“How do you mean, mother?”
She looked flatly at her daughter. “All that bouncing around. It cannot be good for the baby.”
Hudson’s eyes widened and had he been drinking anything, he might have sprayed it from his nostrils.
“Mother...” Florentia sighed awkwardly.
“Betsey...” Lord Worthington took his wife’s hand. “I am sure that our daughter and His Grace know what they are doing.”
“Clearly they do not,” she said. “And I do not mean to impose—please, Your Grace, do not take this as a slight against you.” She looked at him for confirmation, but he stared blankly, with noidea what to say. “But when I was pregnant with Florentia, I was hardly allowed to walk, let alone ride.”
“Mother,” Florentia started again, hopefully to put her mother in her place. “His Grace and I...” Hudson breathed a sigh of relief. “...I am not pregnant, yet.”
“Oh.” Her mother blinked. “Well, that is a shame. Still, it would be wise of you to prepare as if you were, nonetheless. Believe me, when these things happen, they happen quickly. For all you know, there is a little one inside of you right now.” She tittered. “Best to play it safe.”
Hudson looked at his wife once more, certain she would tell her mother the truth. Yes, he knew that it might raise some eyebrows, but to let her continue in this fantasy was not only wrong but would inevitably lead to further questions down the track.
“That is a good idea, mother,” Florentia said instead. “Thank you.”
Hudson knew what was happening. Florentia lived in a world of expectation, and to tell her mother and father that she would not be having an heir anytime soon, or ever, was too much for her to consider. The shame they would feel. The horror.All this time, I have thought about this from my point of view only, not once considering how it would affect my wife.
Hudson’s stomach knotted itself with guilt. And it grew worse when he saw the despondent look on Florentia’s face, and thepleased smile on her mother and father’s. Although he could not bring himself to tell them the truth, he realized suddenly that maybe there was a way he could soften the blow and save his wife from this most awkward situation.
“Florentia...” He took her hand and gave it a squeeze. “I think we should tell them.”
She frowned. “Tell them?”
“Tell us what?” Lady Worthington sat up excitedly. “Well?”
“The truth,” he said. To this, Florentia’s face paled, and she widened her eyes as if to beg him not to. “It is no big thing,” he said with a smile. “And really, there is no need to lie.”
“Hudson...” she hissed under her breath.
“The truth, Lord and Lady Worthington, is that there is no need to worry about your daughter suddenly falling pregnant.”
