Page 26 of The Winter Bride

Annie looked determined. ‘I’m sorry if you’re not happy with the idea, Monty, but you must understand that I’m not used to sitting about all day. And yes, I do know Susan is doing a marvellous job, but it’s still my shop! As for taking Adam out in the cold . . . Well, of course I would make sure that he was very warmly wrapped. I’m not a complete idiot and I wouldn’t risk his health for anything.’

‘Oh, I know that,’ he assured her hastily. When she got that look on her face, he knew of old it would be no good arguing with her. ‘But if you must go back just promise me that you won’t overdo it.’

The glare she gave him said it all and he quickly turned his attention back to his newspaper.

The following day Mrs Taylor-Lloyd visited. She had taken to calling in at least once a week, usually bearing expensive gifts for the baby. Annie had an idea that she only brought them so she could tell her cronies what a wonderful grandmother she was, but she had to grudgingly admit that she did seem fond of Adam.

While Annie prepared some tea, her mother-in-law asked, ‘When may I have my grandson for an overnight stay? My friends would like to meet him.’

Annie blinked at her surprised. She was aware that Mrs Taylor-Lloyd had employed a nanny to care for Monty and Reggie when they were babies, so she’d probably never had to do a night feed in her life. ‘An overnight stay?’ She could hardly believe the woman had asked. ‘I’m afraid that won’t be for some time. How would he manage without me? I am breastfeeding him, as you know.’

Mrs Taylor-Lloyd tutted. ‘But surely he could be weaned onto a bottle now? My maid would take care of him during the night and she’s perfectly capable.’

Annie shook her head. ‘No, I’m afraid I have no intention of doing that just yet. But I could bring him round to meet your friends, if you like?’

The woman pursed her lips in annoyance. ‘No, that won’t be necessary. But don’t you think we should be planning the christening? And I’m hoping that you’ll have a change of heart about his name before the service.’

Annie frowned. ‘Why, what’s wrong with his name?’

‘I would have thought that was fairly obvious,’ her mother-in-law said surlily. ‘In the upper classes it’s usual for the first-born son to take his father’s name. If not for his first name, for his middle name at least.’

‘I assure you Monty is quite happy with my choice of names,’ Annie said quietly. The woman had been there for less than ten minutes and she was riling her already.

‘But where did Alexander come from? Why couldn’t it have been Adam Montgomery?’

‘If you feel so strongly about it, I dare say we could add it and call him Adam Alexander Montgomery Taylor-Lloyd,’ Annie conceded. ‘But it’s rather a mouthful don’t you think?’

Mrs Taylor-Lloyd looked triumphant. ‘Not at all. I think it sounds quite grand and he’ll thank you for it one day when he goes to boarding school and university.’

Annie could have told her that she had no intention of sending Adam away to a boarding school but decided not to bother. It would only cause another altercation. So, loading the tea onto a tray she took her mother-in-law into the parlour where Adam was fast asleep in his crib.

‘Actually, while you’re here, I need to tell you that I shan’t be home on Tuesdays or Fridays,’ Annie said as the woman settled into a chair and spread her skirts about her.

‘Oh, why is that?’

Annie strained the tea into a china cup and after placing it on its saucer she handed it to her mother-in-law. ‘I’ve decided to go back to the shop. Just two days a week to start with.’

The woman looked horrified. ‘But why? I’m sure Montgomery won’t be pleased with this decision. What about Adam?’

‘Monty and I have already spoken about it.’ Annie decided not to admit that Monty was no happier with her decision than her mother-in-law was. ‘And of course Adam will come with me.’

‘Oh, goodness me. This is most unacceptable,’ her mother-in-law spluttered. ‘Although if you are determined to work again there is a way around it. Adam could stay with me on the days you work. My maid would help me to care for him.’

‘That’s a very kind offer but I wouldn’t dream of imposing on you,’ Annie answered quickly. ‘And I couldn’t leave him anyway because as I said he would need to be fed.’

Adam stirred at that moment and thankfully the conversation went no further. But she had an awful feeling that she hadn’t heard the last of it – not by a long shot!

Chapter Thirteen

The following week, Annie set off bright and early for the shop with Adam tucked into his pram. Alfred wasn’t at all happy about being left behind but Annie couldn’t take him too. Susan and Mrs Jenkins were delighted to see her and fussed over the baby, and Annie couldn’t help but notice that Susan looked brighter than she had for a very long time.

The shop was extremely busy as people came in wanting to purchase dresses to be worn over Christmas, and by lunchtime Annie had to admit that she was tired.

‘Take Adam upstairs and feed him there,’ Susan told her kindly when he woke for his feed. ‘And afterwards, make yourself a cup of tea and put your feet up for a while. As you can see, we have everything in hand down here. Oh, and while you’re up there you could take a look at the books too. I was going to pop them round to you this evening. Even after wages, restocking and overheads, we’re well into profit.’

Since having Adam, Annie had been more than happy to leave everything in Susan’s capable hands. She had even been keeping the ledger up to date and when Annie looked at it, she was impressed. The money in the bank was building up nicely, so much so that if it kept on this way, she would soon be in a position to think about opening a shop in a new location. It had been her dream to own a string of shops for a while now. Admittedly there was not enough to buy a shop outright yet, but almost enough to restock another one if she could rent somewhere suitable.

She decided not to mention that idea to Monty just yet; he was clearly unhappy with her decision to go back to work, even part-time, so she would let him get used to that first. And, of course, there was also the fact that Adam wouldn’t always be a small baby. Once he was crawling and walking, she would have to consider finding someone to look after him if she was going to continue working. She felt torn because as much as she liked to be in the shop, she loved looking after her son too, and the thought of leaving him with anyone, even for a short time, was painful. The other problem was that should she buy any more shops they would need to be in another location, and she couldn’t see Monty wanting to move house. For now, she would have to be content with what she had. It didn’t stop her being ambitious though.