Page 103 of The Noble Servant

“Do you not think it is time to go downstairs?” She sent a sharp, confounded look at Magdalen and then Steffan.

They separated, and Steffan bowed to her mother. “Lady Mallin.”

Mother nodded coldly and turned to Magdalen. “Let us go. Now.”

Magdalen cleared her throat. “We shall be down in a moment, Mother.” Her face burned at the reprimand that was surely coming for not immediately obeying her mother.

Without a word, Mother turned and started down the steps.

Steffan squeezed her hand and whispered, “I wish we didn’t have to go down.”

“You do?”

“I wish we could stay here and talk.” He leaned down and kissed her lips.

“We shalltalklater.” She smiled and they went down together.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Magdalen sat upright in a feather bed with all the curtains drawn back while the fair Lady Thornbeck sat beside her on a cushioned chair and nursed her baby.

“And the duke saved you and killed your attacker?” Avelina’s mouth was as wide open as her blue eyes.

“Yes, thankfully.”

“How terrifying it must have been for you, to be attacked at night in the forest.” Avelina’s brown hair was just as lovely as Magdalen remembered it. Her baby’s eyes were closed in a blissful-looking slumber. “She’s finished. Let me fix my gown.”

“May I hold her?”

Avelina stood and laid her baby in Magdalen’s arms.

“She’s so sweet.” Magdalen held her up and kissed her forehead, careful not to wake her.

Someday, God willing, she and Steffan would have a baby. The thought was strange, yet appealing. She had wondered a few days ago if she would ever marry or have children, and now the thought of having them with Steffan gave her a warm, tender feeling.

But she should not be dreaming about her future children while Avelina was with her.

“Did Lord Thornbeck not mind you and the baby traveling so far?”

“It is only a two-day journey. He had everything planned, every inn where we would stay the night, and we even brought our own physician in case the baby became sick.”

They both laughed softly and shook their heads. How sweet that Avelina’s husband loved her and took such care of her and their baby.

Someone opened the door of her bedchamber and Magdalen’s mother walked in.

“So there you are.” Mother’s brow was wrinkled, her usual signal of disapproval. “All laid up in bed.”

“Yes, Mother. I’m resting.”

“I don’t know how you manage to get into such difficulties as you do.”

She wanted to say, “Well, it was certainly not my fault.” But instead she said, “So it seems.”

“Hm.” Mother wrinkled her brow even more, crossed her arms in front of her, and then noticed the baby in Magdalen’s arms. “And here is that sweet baby. I believe she resembles Lord Thornbeck, his eyes and forehead.” Mother leaned down and examined Avelina’s daughter.

“Yes, she does look a lot like her father,” Avelina said.

Mother glanced back at Avelina. “Isn’t motherhood such a joy? Having a baby brings a new and wonderful purpose to a woman’s life, doesn’t it?”