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“Escort her ladyship to a chair,” Mrs. Quimby instructed Lord Peregrine, snatching up a fan and fanning the viscountess. “You must pay attention to your health at this delicate time,” the older woman scolded.
Lord Peregrine helped the viscountess to a chair and promptly retreated to the far side of the room.
“I am fine,” Ella’s aunt said. “My head spun, but only for a moment.”
Ella sat down beside her, holding her aunt’s hand. “We should summon a doctor.”
“The change of life is nothing unusual,” the viscountess said wearily. “I simply have to survive it.”
“The change of life?” Mrs. Quimby squawked with laughter. “Now who’s put that idea into your head? Nonsense. You’ll not be having the change for years to come—what you will be having is a baby!”
CHAPTER EIGHT
JUST WHAT ARE LADY REGINA’S INTENTIONS?
In the tumult that followed the viscountess collapsing sideways into Ella’s arms in a dead faint, Fulvia hovered to one side while Lord Peregrine sent a groom to fetch a bier.
Then Ella’s aunt opened her eyes with a start and cried, “You must be incorrect. That’s impossible!”
“I think it’s wonderful,” Fulvia said soothingly. “I shall be very happy not to be an only child.”
“It’s marvelous,” Ella agreed, dismissing her surprise that her aunt and uncle were still engaging in marital intimacies. If she’d given it any thought, she would have imagined their interactions were limited to the viscount’s brawling monologues.
“It’s not unheard of for a present to come along in later years,” Mrs. Quimby said cheerfully. “You know, twins are more common in women of a certain age.”
“A lesson for us all,” Lady Regina murmured, her expression making it clear that she was revolted to contemplate an older woman engaging in the activities that led to children.
Ella glanced up at Lord Peregrine, who obediently stepped forward and offered an arm to Regina. “Shall we take a brief promenade, Lady Regina? The viscountess obviously needs a moment to absorb this marvelous news.”
“Certainly, Lord Peregrine,” Regina said with a syrupy smile. “I’ll just fetch my pelisse.”
His mouth a sardonic twist, Lord Peregrine bent down and said in Ella’s ear, “You owe me. I’m up to UT #15. At least.”
Ella couldn’t stop herself from smiling. “Only 15?”
He blinked and straightened.
“Whereas I have had KT #1 for the day,” she told him.
“Kind thought?” he mouthed. And at her nod, “Only the first of the day? Tsk, tsk. I am shocked by the younger generation’s sour attitude.”
“I had no idea you were so old,” Ella said. “How lucky that your physiology doesn’t reveal your antiquated status.”
“I am ready, Lord Peregrine,” Regina said, appearing at his side.
“Father will be overjoyed,” Fulvia told her mother, as Lord Peregrine escorted Regina out the door.
Ella was shocked to see panic and despair in her aunt’s eyes. Had she planned to leave her husband once Fulvia married? If a man howled at Ella night and day, she would certainly flee.
Alas, that would be out of the question with a new baby, particularly if the child was male and heir to the title.
No wonder her aunt’s eyes showed stark desolation. “I’d like to go home,” she said in a trembling voice. “Mrs. Quimby, I would be grateful if your seamstresses could come to the house tomorrow and fit my ballgown. You may deliver Ella’s at the same time.”
“I should be happy to, my lady.”
“Please let Lady Regina know that we left,” Fulvia said to Mrs. Quimby. “I’m sure Lord Peregrine will happily escort her home.”
“Fulvia, I would prefer that you wait here until your fiancé returns,” the viscountess said. “Mrs. Quimby can take the opportunity to fit your gown. I don’t care for Lady Regina. I suspect she’s trying to get Lord Peregrine back, to put it vulgarly.”
