AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Good grief!” was all she could blurt. “What am I supposed to do?”
Practical as usual, Aileen replied. “First, I’ll make a mix of herbs for you to take with you so you won’t feel so sick,” she started. “Right now, I’ll make you tea with them, and we’ll meet the men.”
Just like that, The Lady McDougal took matters in her capable hands.
As they resumed breakfast, Samuel sat down with a sated, relaxed stance by Harriet. Aileen had just brought the tea and Harriet’s stomach seemed to settle.
“I believe the new Lady McDougal has something to share with us,” the other woman prompted.
The men’s eyes focused on her and she could not prevent the renewed wave of crimson that dominated her skin. “I—” her throat cleared. “I believe I am…I am…with child.”
Two pairs of green eyes widened on her. The Laird’s smug, Samuel’s overjoyed. Her husband lost his tongue, but stood to hug her tight, emotion overflowing him.
“Well-done, son.”
“As if he did it by himself,” defied his wife.
“I did not know what I was saying when I stated I was the happiest man alive,” Samuel managed. “Only now do I get the full meaning of it.”
“Congratulations to both,” The Laird amended.
“She wants to keep her position until the babe is due,” Samuel told his father while they walked to the waiting carriage that would take them back to Oxford.
“We seem to have a penchant for single-minded women,” he answered, a hand on his son’s shoulders.
Sam smiled, admiration for his wife on his face. “It will be good for her because I’ll be busy with my appointments at the university.”
“And looking for a bigger place to live.” His father completed.
The younger man agreed. With a child on the way, they would need more room. “That shouldn’t be too difficult, the freshmen will arrive only mid-August, there will be many places to let until then.”
“I would be happy if this child grew up here,” his father expressed.
“It’s our plan,” Sam replied. “But I need time to organise my work so I can do it mostly by correspondence.”
Taran nodded.
Roy and Errol ran to the entrance followed by Harriet and Aileen walking arm in arm.
“They became fast friends those two.” The Laird pointed out.
“I’m glad they did,” it was soothing to see his family in harmony.
The boys fussed, the women exchanged last words, the men added up plans. And soon the carriage was on its way.
Inside, Sam held his wife, a hand splayed on her middle protectively. Turning a radiant face to him, she smiled and kissed his firm lips.
They arrived in Oxford a day before the professor. The Hayleys invited him for dinner, and Sam thought it an opportune time to apprise them of the latest developments. Despite their utter surprise, they cheered the newlyweds and proved accommodating in the couple’s arrangements for the foreseeable future.
The day after that, Sam came to pick Harriet up to take her home after work as the professor sat in his study with Trent. Mrs Marsh directed him there. Inside, he found his wife, the nobleman and his mentor.
“Mrs Stratham?” the older man showed surprise.
“Yes, professor,” Michael was saying. “I believe there seems to be, say, improper things going on involving your governess.”
So Trent would follow up on his earlier design to cause Harriet’s dismissal. So he could prey on her misfortune and offer a ‘salvation’ as his mistress.
The loathe that surfaced in Sam’s guts would be enough to disintegrate his former friend.
