Fortuity perched on the edge of the bed beside her. “I appreciate the offer, but my place is at home.” She couldn’t deny that she still harbored a bit of uneasiness. Or to put it more aptly, pure rage when it came to her book being published under her husband’s name instead of hers. But she would stop being a ninny and push through this. After all, as Blessing had pointed out, they came from a long line of strong women. She would be strong too and deal with the matter with intelligence rather than emotion. She reached over and gently squeezed Blessing’s arm. “However, I shall visit often for an exorbitant amount of cuddles.”
Blessing laughed. “With so many aunties, little Aurora won’t be wanting for cuddles.” Her mirth faded, and she shook a finger at Fortuity. “As soon as I am able, I shall help you deal with the dreadful Miss Sykesbury and the Duchess of Disgrace.”
“About that—” Fortuity said louder than she intended. She cringed and peeped into the cradle to ensure she hadn’t awakened the baby. “I failed to tell you earlier because I couldn’t remember for certain if it was true, but Matthew sent Eleanor back to India. Permanently.”
“Good on Matthew.” Blessing nodded her approval. “And what of Her Grace? How do the two of you intend to deal with the shameless Olandra? Just continue ignoring her until she wearies of being such a nuisance?”
Fortuity shrugged. “Matthew assures me he has a plan but wishes it to be a surprise.”
“Interesting,” Blessing said. “I hope he waits until after my lying in has ended. I want to watch.”
A light tapping on the door interrupted them. “My lady?”
Blessing wrinkled her nose. “There is that horrid monthly nurse, Mrs. Flackney, returning with Mrs. Bretherton so I can speak with her again.”
“Who is Mrs. Bretherton?”
“A wet nurse whom I am not entirely certain I like. That is why I wished to speak with her again. Our initial meeting was less than satisfactory. If her disposition has not improved, I refuse to allow her anywhere near my child. After all, I nursed Aurora perfectly well when they put her to my breast. Just look how contented she is. When I decide I need a wet nurse, it will be a woman I can trust with my precious baby.” Blessing huffed and glared at the door. “I am sure whatever I decide will shock Mrs. Flackney, since she behaves as if every word that falls from her lips comes straight from the Almighty Himself, and I should accept it without so much as a whimper.”
The tapping on the door repeated, a little louder this time. “My lady?”
Fortuity rose. “Do you wish to see them now, or shall I send them away?”
Blessing pushed herself higher among the pillows as if ready to declare war upon whoever dared to interrupt them. “Let the wretches enter at their own risk.”
Fortuity went to the door and opened it. As her sister had predicted, the scowling Mrs. Flackney stood there with a stern-faced woman at her side. “The baby is sleeping, so do be quiet,” Fortuity told them, delighting in how their eyes widened in surprise at her curt instruction.
Both ladies offered her a somewhat irritated nod, then entered without so much as a peep.
“Go to your husband, sister,” Blessing said with a calculating smile that assured Fortuity she had the situation well in hand.
“I shall return tomorrow,” Fortuity promised. “Send for me if you need me sooner.”
“I will, pet.”
Fortuity couldn’t help but smile as she left the room and softly closed the door behind her. Before going downstairs to Matthew, she returned to her room to check on good-natured Anne, who hadn’t batted an eye when Fortuity had asked her to repack everything she had just unpacked because they would be returning home. They nearly collided as the loyal maid opened the door to exit the room just as Fortuity reached for the latch to enter.
Anne hopped back and caught a hand to her chest. “Goodness, my lady. I was coming to tell you that Mr. Donnelly just carried your trunks down to the wagon. All is ready whenever you are.”
“Thank you so much, Anne. I am sure Lord Ravenglass is ready to leave. Follow me down and let Cadwick know to fetch my shawl.”
Anne held out her gloves. “I know you do not like them, my lady, but since you are going outside…”
A frustrated sigh escaped Fortuity before she could stop it. She despised gloves and thought them silly unless the weather was freezing or one was attending an elaborate ball that demanded full-length gloves to accentuate one’s arms. She tugged them on and gave her maid a curt nod. “There. My mother would thank you.”
Anne merely smiled and politely bowed her head.
Fortuity cast a last glance down the hallway toward her sister’s room and sent up a silentthank youto the Almighty yet again for the safe delivery of little Aurora. She swept down the stairs, with Anne trailing behind her.
Matthew awaited her, looking as if he could barely restrain himself from pulling her into his arms. A warm flush of longing washed across her, settling her uncertainties about whether this was the right thing to do. Yes. It was the right thing to do. She belonged with the man she loved, and she would learn to ignore theton’s stinging barbs. Somehow. At least she would do her level best.
“Are you ready to return home?” she asked him.
His face lit up, effectively answering her without uttering a word. With a lopsided smile, he offered his arm. “Indeed, I am, my love. We can return for your things later.”
“Anne already had Mr. Donnelly take my trunks to the wagon. We are ready as soon as she fetches my shawl from Cadwick.” She leaned to peer into the parlor. “How is Thorne? Bursting with pride, I suppose?”
“Absolutely. He is in with Lady Roslynn at the moment.” Matthew sadly shook his head. “He hoped to convince her to use her bath chair once again so they might carry her upstairs to see the baby. If that won’t do, I believe he intends to locate a sedan chair and see if she will trust that, since it has no wheels that would harm her cats.”
