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The sun set when they bid the old lady farewell and drove back into the city.
CHAPTER 17
Early morning, Sarah and Hugh were enjoying the warmth of bed, tightly holding each other. Hugh had awoken a few minutes before, but she still came to consciousness. He felt like a lucky man, he thought. Sarah proved to be the exact wife for him; they matched in so many things. After having such a mismatched first marriage, he valued his second one preciously.
A faint morning light filtered through the curtains. He dived his face in her sparrow-wing coloured hair and smelled her lavender perfume. She opened her eyes and smiled at him, he kissed the side of her forehead and she snuggled closer. They were naked, as their bodies sought one another during the night.
“Good morning, Lady Hawkmore.” He murmured tenderly in her ear, while kissing it.
She smiled sleepy. “Good morning, my Lord Hawkmore.” She devolved.
Suddenly, she retched, disentangled from him and ran to the chamber pot in the dressing room. She stayed there so long, as Hugh listened to her morning sickness, worried. It had been like this for days in a row now. He could not bear to see her so sick. He stood up and went to her dressing room. She had put on a chemise and washed up.
He held her from behind. “Sarah! You’re scaring me with this.”
She turned to face him in his embrace. “It’s normal, Hugh! Don’t worry.”
He lifted her in his strong arms and took her back to bed. “Did it happen the first time, too?
She nodded. “Yes, exactly the same.”
He placed her carefully in the bed. “How come I never noticed?”
“You usually left before I got sick.”
“Oh, I see!” He said in a tone of regret. He covered her and held her close.
“And you called the doctor yesterday; remember?” If she let him he’d call the poor man every hour of the day. “He said everything is going as expected.”
“Yes, I know.” He caressed her face as he looked in her eyes. “But London is such a dirty place, so full of endemic diseases!” He frowned. “I think it’d be better if we spent a couple of weeks in the country, just to get away from this filthy air for a while.”
“Oh, Hugh! But I have so many appointments at the bank!” Her hand caressed his jet-black hair.
“I’m sure Mr White is capable of handling most of them, or you would not have hired him.”
“True enough, but a business must be looked after.” Now her hands explored his lean arms.
“A fortnight won’t do any harm. Sarah, please!”
She sighed. “Alright, Hugh. If it makes you feel better.”
“I want you to feel better!”
“And I will. Morning sickness usually lasts for three months.” She kissed his shoulder. “You have four sisters, you should know that!”
“It’s my child we’re talking about! I cannot think clearly!”
“Our child, my lord! I believe I showed a very open eagerness in participating in the…process!” She jested.
“Oh, well, no way of denying it!” He nested her near him and waited until colour had come back to her face to ask for a light breakfast.
So they decided to leave next day. Today Sarah would make arrangements at the bank and leave all instructions with Mr White.
Sarah sat in the carriage and observed Hugh as he read the newspaper. Her so very gorgeous and beloved husband. How could it be possible to love a man so much? She had a notion that what kept him near her had to be the intense desire they shared. But desire would be something that cooled down. One day he would lose interest in her; it would be a sad day. It did not matter; she would continue loving him even if he strayed away. Lords frequently did. The love she had for him so immense, it made her want to cry and laugh at the same time.
Sensing she watched him, he lifted his eyes from the paper. Their eyes met and she blushed. Immediately, the memory of a long ago journey to his estate and her naughty behaviour in that same carriage assailed her. Embarrassed, she lowered her brown eyes.
“I remember it as if it happened yesterday.” He spoke in a hoarse voice.
