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“You are with child,” he said tonelessly as Julie re-entered his rooms.
Julie put the backs of her fingers of one hand against her mouth, while her other hand covered her abdomen as she nodded. Robert closed his eyes against the mixture of feelings that assailed him. The pride, the joy, the anticipation—And the realization that she hadn’t chosen him. He had won by default. Because she was carrying his child, his heir.
“You need to rest,” he said on the exhale.
“I am fine. I promise, this—this is normal.” She took a tentative step toward him, and he made a step back in retreat.
“Then I need to rest,” he scrubbed his face with his hand. “It’s been a long day and too much news,” he waved his hand toward her abdomen.
“Are you—are you not happy about this?” Julie’s face was stricken with horror at the prospect. She might have chosen him by default, but she was carrying his child. He didn’t want to distress her.
“Of course, I am,” he tried for a smile, “I am just too tired. And I think my emotions are a bit dulled right now.”
Julie nodded, with something akin to relief on her face. Robert stepped toward her, placed a hand against her cold, clammy cheek, and kissed her on the forehead.
“Rest,” he said with a tender smile. “If you need anything, you know where to find me.”
He saw disappointment cross Julie’s face. He didn’t understand what she was reacting to, but he realized he wasn’t lying about needing rest. Several days’ journey and several minutes filled with emotional revelations took their toll on his well-being.
“We’ll talk more tomorrow?” she said with a questioning lilt in her voice.
He nodded and smiled slightly. “Absolutely.”
* * *
Robert was perusing his morning paper when his wife joined him at the table. They exchanged polite greetings, and he set the paper away.
“How did you sleep?” he asked cautiously.
“Not very well, I’m afraid.” She put some toast and eggs on her plate and sat down with the help of the footman. “I have had trouble sleeping ever since—” She shook her head lightly, staring at her plate. “I guess it’s normal as well. Together with the constant sickness, the appetite changes, and fatigue.”
“Sounds—” Robert cleared his throat, searching for the right word to use. “Bothersome,” he settled for bothersome and caused a small laugh to escape Julie.
“You could say that,” she agreed.
“The London air, the smoke, and smells probably do not help,” he said thoughtfully.
“Yes, many women choose to go into confinement in the country, but that’s months away.”
“If you’d be more comfortable there, there is no reason to wait. You and Mary were going to move to the Bromley residence anyway, weren’t you? It’s not like we are planning to attend any more ton events,” he said around a bite of toast, then washed it down with a sip of tea.
“You still want us to go,” she said without looking at him.
“I can’t see a reason for you to stay here unless you want to,” he said carefully. “I will be occupied with business most of the time, probably moving between London and Doncaster now that the asylum case has moved along.”
“You want us to stay there alone, with you moving between London and Doncaster?” Julie raised her puzzled gaze at him.
“Doncaster is too far for either of you to go to right now. I don’t want you traveling that distance. The best scenario is you going to Bromley.”
One side of Julie’s mouth raised in a half-smile. “Just as we bargained.”
Robert took a breath to say something reassuring. He wanted to let her know he wanted only what was best for her, Mary, and the babe. He cared about them all too much to risk either of them. And he had business. He’d visit them as much as he could; he’d do everything for them to be comfortable. He was just about to say all that and more when Mary burst into the room, all exuberant delight and a picture of good mood. A complete opposite to the spirit that hung over the breakfast table.
“Mary, I have some good news,” Julie said with a strained smile, trying to look cheerful. “We will go to a new house tomorrow. Remember, we planned to travel to a new place and paint the walls there?”
Mary’s smile turned into a grin as she looked from Robert to Julie.
Robert cleared his throat. “And your pony is going to travel there with you. So, you will be able to start your riding lessons with a stable master.”
Mary’s eyes lit up in pure joy. “Horsie! I will ride!” she exclaimed and clapped her hands in delight.
Julie’s smile softened at her sister’s obvious happiness. “We will start packing your new things after breakfast. Will you help?”
“No!” Mary admonished. “I pack my things; you pack your things.”
Julie laughed and stood from the table. “Fair enough, we will each pack our own things.” Robert looked at his two favorite girls as they chatted away and laughed. He would miss their laughter and presence in his empty townhouse, he thought with a sigh.
