She was sorry to see Peter’s relaxed, country manner of dressing disappear for the day, but she had to admit that his slightly more formal outfit had its own type of allure.It was, in a way, reminiscent of their days in Spain.And although those memories were hazy with pain and trauma, they also had the faint, shimmering remnants of attraction.Perhaps Ana had nursed hidden feelings for her husband longer than she realized.She hoped that this trip to Heathridge Hall would have dual benefits.He needed to experience the healing of being close to his mother again after so many years, a healing that Ana desperately wished for herself, although she knew it was impossible.It would be good for them both to have this short stay.
“Mr.Ashmore, what a delight to see you.”
The Ashmores’ butler ushered them inside and led them up to Lady Ashmore’s private sitting room, where the dowager was waiting for them, an eager smile on her face.
“Ana, my dear, you look simply beautiful.Do tell me, how are you feeling?”
As if on some cue unheard by the room, the babe placed a firm kick to Ana’s ribs.Ana pressed a hand to the spot, as if patting could ease the child’s motions.“Thank you.I feel well as I am able.I am much tired but happy to feel the child move in me.”
A peaceful smile crossed Lady Ashmore’s face, and she placed a hand on her own midsection, as if she could still feel the same movements.“That is one of the most precious experiences a woman can have.”
“Es verdad...um, yes, it is true.”Ana stumbled over the Spanish words that seemed to naturally make their way out of her mouth.She and Peter had been practicing using more English in the past days, knowing that Lady Ashmore didn’t have the partial understanding of Spanish that Peter did.But some of the most instinctual responses always seemed to come out in her native tongue.
“I have inquired with a number of the ladies in my society about the most modern preparations to assist a mother in her lying-in and confinement, and I hope you don’t mind that I’ve made arrangements to provide some of those comforts for you.”
Ana licked her lips and darted a glance at Peter.She had always known Lady Ashmore to be exceedingly kind, but she didn’t want her or the child to be a burden on her, particularly when her marriage to Peter was so unexpected.“We don’t need anything sogrande.I know Peter will care for me very well.”
“I don’t doubt Peter’s abilities in the slightest.But I do want you to be comfortable.The process of bringing a child into this world can grow quite complicated, and it is wise to have the necessary preparations so you and your child can endure the process safely.”
“Thank you, Mother,” Peter interjected, “I would be most grateful for your arrangements, and I know Ana would too.”
“That is what I hoped to hear.Dear Ana, I hope you know that I am so grateful to you for joining our family and for caring for my Peter, perhaps in a way I have never been able to care for him myself.I hope you will allow me to help you in any way that you might need.Do think of me as another mother.I truly desire to be that for you.”
Ana’s throat tightened, and her eyes blurred with tears.This genuine, natural declaration of affection from this kind woman was also the confirmation that Ana had longed for.She knew that she was wanted in this family, and not only by Peter.She also knew that she had a mother who would care for her during the difficulty of the coming months.A small piece of her heart that had been shattered so many years ago seemed to mend itself.
“Thank you,” she cried as she launched herself into the woman’s arms, unable to restrain her tears anymore.
“We love you,” the dowager whispered as she rubbed Ana’s back.
“I love you too,” Ana whispered, her voice breaking.Had it truly been so many months since she had heard that she was loved?Or since she had expressed the same sentiment herself?
“Now, shall we discuss some of the arrangements we can make?Lady Gray told me of a special bed that has been invented for the lying-in process.And we must find an accoucheur to assist you.That is a modern type of male physician, dear, a discreet, gentlemanly type.An accoucheur will be precisely perfect—that is, if it is what you wish.”
“I wish for anything to help that it be easier,” Ana said with a laugh as she patted her belly nervously.
“One thing that will do a great deal to make things easier for now is to obtain some special stays for your condition and some dresses that will adjust with your growing form.Don’t blush, Peter dear, it’s not as if you’ve never seen your wife’s stays!”Lady Ashmore chuckled.
The color of Ana’s face now matched Peter’s, and her gaze, like his, suddenly found great interest in the carpet.She would not be the one to reveal that although they had grown a great deal closer as of late, there was one aspect of their marriage they had yet to approach.Ana knew that Peter would never initiate that final step in their relationship.It would go against every vow he had made to protect her and honor her.And despite her savoring every kiss they shared and every moment she slept at his side, Ana likewise was not convinced she was ready for things to change further between them.Besides, the arrival of their baby was fast approaching now, which would bring a great deal of physical and emotional change as well.Perhaps it was for the best that they remain safe in the familiarity they enjoyed at present.
Chapter 25
March 10, 1814, Abbeygate, Surrey Hills, England
Peter thumbed through a stack of correspondence, wishing desperately that it would disappear.The large majority of it contained reports about Wellington’s further invasions into France.He’d won significant battles at the Nive and Orthez in recent months, gaining a very real foothold against the French.Peter’s regiment had been stationed in Spain for so long that he was not surprised that he hadn’t been called to journey to France, but hewassurprised that he had yet to be recalled at all.Part of him feared that he was being punished for speaking out so boldly against his superiors—that they would resist calling on him as a result.But surely they needed loyal captains who would not sell their commissions after only months of service, as so many officers of the Ton were deigned to do.They were in the middle of a war, after all.The sickening fear lay shrouded in his mind, but at moments such as these, it was difficult to ignore that possibility.Peter now had a family to support, a future to plan.He was not running away to the army to ignore life in England as he once had.
“Hola,” Ana murmured as she entered the room, relieving him from his less-than-savory reading.He smiled, glad to banish his fears to that corner of his mind again.
“Hello, dear.Allow me to make you more comfortable,” Peter said, rising from his chair to reposition the room’s furniture.
Ah, he would never grow tired of the sight of his expectant wife.
Ana’s new form was somehow even more beautiful than her previous one.Her gowns flowed over her round abdomen most becomingly, and her cheeks were rounded and rosy.She was prone to increased emotion—including daily bouts of tears, as she admitted herself—but she was also prone to prolonged embraces and long, lovely kisses.Although Peter knew very well that Ana’s condition weighed upon her more than she would admit, he continuously admired her hopeful optimism.
Already, he found himself anticipating seeing her in this lovely condition again.That is, until he remembered what achieving such a condition would require of them both.And then he found he needed to stop staring at his wife’s becoming figure and cool off out of doors.
Ana navigated Abbeygate in a new way, squeezing through doorways and bumping into furniture, unfamiliar with her newfound size.Peter found himself moving the obtrusive objects multiple times a day until the house was in a more satisfactory layout.And today was no exception.They were currently situated with the task of making the library more maneuverable so they could go over an overly large stack of unpleasant papers.Peter shoved the desk up against the wall and positioned the chairs next to it, leaving ample space around them.
“Is that all right,querida?”
