Lord Grenville's Choice by G.G. Vandagriff Read Free Book Online Page A

is, I am increasing. We shall have another child in the autumn.”
    He looked from Dr. Caldwell’s smiling face to Felicity’s solemn one, unable to believe his ears. “Increasing? You are increasing?”
    “Yes. I thought you would be pleased,” she said.
    Pure joy penetrated his breast and he grinned hugely, pulling her to her feet and into his arms. “That is the happiest, most wonderful news you could have given me! How long have you been keeping this to yourself? You minx!”
    “I have suspected for several months, but I have had so many false starts, I wanted to be certain this time,” she said, smiling at last.
    “False starts? You have miscarried? How could I not have known?”
    “They were very early miscarriages. I did not want to alarm you.”
    He remembered now. There were days over the past four years where she had claimed to have influenza. She had kept to her bed and a physician had been called. Alarmed, Alex had questioned the doctor closely when he insisted on a private examination. But the doctor had always assured him that all would be well if his wife only could have several weeks of quiet and rest.
    Felicity’s revelation made him feel curiously small. “You did not trust me enough to confide in me? You must have been heartsick, and in considerable pain, as well.”
    The doctor fidgeted, then gathered his satchel and hat. “I will be leaving now, my lady,” he said as he suited action to word.
    Alex’s eyes were fixed on Felicity’s as he said, “Thank you, doctor. I depend upon you to see yourself out.”
    “I know how much you love Jack,” she said as the door closed behind the physician. “If I had told you about the miscarriages, you would have taken it very hard, I think.”
    “So you suffered alone to spare my feelings,” he said. In spite of the good news, her confession saddened him. “That does not speak very highly of the trust between us, Felicity. You do not have to spare me your feelings.”
    Tears gathered in her eyes. As his arms were still around her, she hid her face from him by laying her head on his chest. Feeling a wave of tenderness sweep through him, he kissed the top of her head and rubbed his hand on her back in soothing circular motions.
    “Have you been feeling ill?” he asked softly.
    “That part has passed, thankfully. But I continue to be more emotional than usual.”
    “Would you feel well enough to attend a ball with me tonight?”
    Pulling back, she looked into his face, her brow furrowed.
    “A ball? But Papa . . .”
    “Cannot your nurse sit with him?”
    “Why this sudden desire to take me to a ball? We have not been out together these three years, at least.”
    “I think we deserve to celebrate.” He looked over her form. “Before you appear to be increasing.”
    “But I do not have a ball gown with me . . .”
    “I shall sit with your papa until the nurse arrives. You go home now, and take Martha with you. You can make your preparations there. Sir Winton is escorting Aunt Henrietta and Anabella. We will all take dinner together tonight before the ball.”
    Felicity bloomed before him, her cheeks rosy and her eyes sparkling. “That sounds lovely,” she said. “Just let me say good-bye to Papa.”

{ 8 }
     
    F elicity allowed Martha free rein with her coiffure that evening. Her hair was piled high with tiny pink blossoms from the plum tree interwoven between the curls. In a silk gown with a crossover bodice the color of pomegranates, Felicity felt more elegant than usual. She was exceedingly grateful that the exquisite Elizabeth was in mourning and would not be in attendance.
    She really did not know what had possessed Alex to be so insistent that she accompany him this evening, but she was happy. With her husband so inclined to spend the evenings away from her at his club, Felicity had sought out other interests to entertain her. She enjoyed singing and her literary friends, but not nearly as much as she enjoyed attending a ball with