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He pushed that thought aside, chastising himself. He shifted his hold on her, and as he did, she began to recover, murmuring softly.
It was not proper for him to embrace her, even here in the open air and unobserved, yet he could not help feeling regret when she murmured against his shoulder again, then pushed herself away from him. He continued holding only her arms until he was sure that she could stand.
“I believe that I will be quite able to go on now. I’m afraid it is a natural occurrence for ladies who are increasing to faint. And I must admit that I took only stale bread and milk for breakfast, as most mornings, I find myself rather unwell for the first few hours.”
Her smile was wan, but colour was returning to her cheeks.
“You are so recently widowed then? I did not know of your condition.”
Daniel was shocked by her words, and annoyed with himself for having made assumptions. Now that he knew of her condition, her plight seemed even more heinous – that a recently widowed woman, with child, should be abandoned by her family, on both sides of the marriage, was an abomination. He hoped that his concern showed in his eyes. She regarded him expectantly, as if waiting for him to deliver a lecture, and castigate her for walking out foolishly by herself. He would do no such thing – instead, he admired her strength and determination.
“I did not know either sir, until recently, although I suspected earlier. It seems even a few weeks together was enough for me to conceive.” And a slow trickle of tears interrupted her story. “I was married five months ago to Edward, the older son of George Millwood, Baron Wexley. He decided to go to war and earn the admiration and rank which he believed would ensure him favour in his aloof father’s eyes. We only had a few weeks married before he was called to join the troops in France. He was dead within the month. I received the news at Lady Chittendom’s home, where I was employed as governess to her children. It was a happy few weeks at least, that we had together. I suppose that now I have no hope of a good position, let alone a good marriage. I have no prospects whatsoever. And I don’t understand why his family have rejected me – they arranged the wedding and seemed most happy for us.” Her voice gained a note of bitterness when she clarified. “It didn’t hurt that my father is an Earl, Lord Ainsley, even if daughters don’t inherit titles. His contacts could have done nothing but good for the family of Lord Wexley. But now, apparently, none of that is regarded as worthwhile.”
“An Earl? But then you are Lady Verity, not simply Mrs Millwood!”
“I could claim to be addressed in that manner, yes, but I chose not to be. It seemed disrespectful to my husband, to continually remind him so of my higher birth than his.”
“I see. That was kind of you. But Mrs Millwood, you must let me pursue this for you. Surely all of the facts are not known to your husband’s family, and they would welcome a grandchild as a legacy from their son!”
“If this child is a son, then he would be the next Baron – and that would mean that Mr Jasper Millwood, my late husband’s brother, would no longer be next in line for the title… Perhaps Lord Wexley would not be happy with that…”
For some time, she was silent, only smiling vaguely. Daniel decided that she needed food and rest.
This conversation could be continued later – he had been inconsiderate to have continued talking, rather than focusing on getting her back to the cottage as rapidly as possible.
“Perhaps – but let us continue to the cottage, so that you can rest.”
They walked on in companionable silence, and soon reached the cottage. Once given tea and biscuits, Mrs Millwood really did look her normal colour, and Daniel’s anxiety eased somewhat.
“So, my dear, have you told Daniel of your condition?”
Maggie’s voice was kind and gentle as she poured more tea, with a generous amount of sugar and milk, into Mrs Millwood’s cup.
Mrs Millwood had been just about to lift her cup to drink, but pulled her hands back and darted a glance at Daniel, even as he wondered at Maggie raising such a delicate subject so directly.
“I did. It was impossible to avoid, as I could not otherwise explain a brief tendency to faint while on my little walk.”
She cast a warning look towards him, and calmly finished her tea.
He watched, entranced as she daintily pressed a cloth to her lips.
“Yes, I was glad to have just arrived, on General, when I saw her swaying,” said Daniel. “It was fortuitous that we met when we did. Perhaps she had not eaten enough yet this day. What do you think Maggie?”
“Well, she is a bit too thin in my opinion to be carrying a child – by now, I’d expect it to be changing her shape a bit, but there’s not much of her at all… We’ll soon put meat on those bones. There’s lamb stew for supper, and fresh bread to sop up the bowls. Now why don’t you rest a bit, girl, while I talk with my old friend.”
Maggie shooed her off to the little guest room, and quietly closed the door.
Daniel had stood when the ladies had risen to depart the room and, only after the old woman returned and was seated, did he give vent to his thoughts.
“Maggie, you are goodness itself to wait on Verity — er... Mrs. Millwood. But I’m concerned that it will be too much for you with your feet and legs not so happy these days.”
“Do you still hold an interest in the poor widow, Daniel, even knowing that she carries a child?”
Pausing only long enough to form his words carefully, Daniel could hardly contain his enthusiasm.
“She is wonderful, isn’t she? I know that she has a long period of mourning yet, but I believe even father would have approved if he had been able to meet her. It shouldn’t matter, but her father is an Earl. Her being a governess and of good character, not to speak of her wit and charm and beauty, would, I think, have silenced any doubts the old man could possibly have had. But now, it’s entirely my choice, isn’t it? I don’t need a fortune in a dowry, I’ve wealth enough. What I need is a woman I can care for, who I can stand to live with. I know we could be happy. The child changes nothing, with respect to all of that.”
He was flushed at the end of his remarks and looked eagerly to Maggie. She was smiling and nodding her head. He did wonder at a small expression of concern crossing her face.
