She touched her fingers to her lips and blew him a kiss. “You can count on it,” she told him.
Jaclyn went to the sitting room and found both Charlotte and Georgina waiting for her. Charlotte looked rather uncomfortable sitting on the settee and Georgina was pouring tea in a cup. She handed it to Charlotte and then turned toward Jaclyn. “Would you like a cup?”
“Yes,” Jaclyn said. “I do believe I would.” Soon after Georgina handed her the tea and then sat beside her with her own cup.
Georgina could hardly contain her excitement. “I have news,” she said, her eyes gleaming with joy. “I’m with child. Early stages, of course, but it’s already the most thrilling thing I’ve ever experienced.”
Jaclyn’s heart leapt at the news, and she set her cup on a nearby table so that she could embrace her friend. “Georgina, that’s wonderful news! I’m so happy for you.”
Charlotte smiled at Georgina’s news. “How wonderful,” she said. “This one will have a friend then,” she told them as she patted her belly. “I do hope he or she decides to make an appearance soon. I’m so uncomfortable I have no words for it.”
There, in the warm comfort of Easton Abbey, Jaclyn was reminded of the beauty of friendship, of the shared experiences that made life richer, and of the deep connection she had with these women who had become her family in all but blood. “Didn’t the midwife say it should be soon?” Jaclyn asked.
“Not soon enough,” Charlotte sighed.
“Have you heard from your family?” Georgina asked Jaclyn.
She sighed. This was the part that was not quite as happy. Her father refused to have anything to do with her. She was effectively disowned, and he refused to give Kingston her dowry. Neither of them cared about that. She was sad that her father was being so difficult, but she could not make him more accepting of her or her choices. Jaclyn would just have to live with that loss. “My brother recently wrote to me,” she told them. “As you know Father is…” She sighed. “Well, he’s Father. I do not believe he will ever change. Barrett is a lot like him in that regard.”
“What did Oakley have to say in his letter?” Charlotte asked.
“He apologized and said that while Father would never come around, he did not want to sever our relationship.” She shrugged. “I hope he meant it, but we shall see. He plans to visit for Christmastide.”
“He is staying with you?” Charlotte frowned. “And Kingston? At the lodge?” She tilted her head to the side. “Is that wise?”
“Perhaps not,” Jaclyn said. “But we have to start somewhere, and I do hope he keeps his word and remains levelheaded. I do not need him challenging my husband to another duel.” She shuddered at the thought. Thankfully that first duel had not ended Kingston’s life, and then her fool brother had gone and challenged him again when Kingston had eloped with her. She prayed Barrett had finally learned some patience and stopped to consider everything before reacting.
“Oh…” Charlotte grimaced and put her hand to her stomach. “That wasn’t pleasant.” She let out a heaving breath. “Ouch.”
“Oh dear…” Georgina nibbled on her lip. “I think we should perhaps send for that midwife now.”
“Help her to her bedchamber,” Jaclyn told her. “I will go tell Easton to fetch the midwife.”
Jaclyn exited the sitting room and went to the marquess’s study. She rapped on the doorframe and all three gentlemen inside turned to glance at her. “Yes, love?” her husband asked.
She focused her attention on the marquess. “It’s time,” she told him.
“Time?” Easton leapt up. “Now. It’s happening now?”
“I will go for the midwife,” Foxmoore said. “I do not think Easton is in the right frame of mind to ride out.”
“Just you wait until it is your turn…” Easton began to pace. “Where is she? Where is my wife?”
Jaclyn barely held back a smile. The Earl of Foxmoore did not stop to respond to Easton’s quip about his turn. He must have shared their good news with the men. Instead, she focused her attention on the marquess. “Georgina has helped her to her bedchamber to help her prepare for the birth. It’s best you wait here…”
Easton did not allow her to finish speaking before he left the room and raced toward his wife. It was good to see how much the marquess loved her friend. They had all been blessed with their spouses. She was so blissfully happy with Kingston and her heart was so full of love. She was grateful that both Georgina and Charlotte also knew that kind of love.
“He will be a mess until she makes it through the birth all right,” Kingston said.
“Undoubtedly,” she agreed.
“Stay with me for a bit won’t you,” he said. “I want to hold you. If they need either of us, they will send a servant.”
“All right,” she agreed and went straight into his arms. This was her home. Wherever Kingston was, she would be happy.
Jaclyn nestled into Kingston's embrace, letting the warmth of his body soothe the tension that had built in her own. The worry over Charlotte’s impending labor had been gnawing at her since the moment she had noticed the signs. Her thoughts kept returning to her dear friend, hoping that she would be able to handle the process without complication, but knowing all too well how unpredictable childbirth could be.
Kingston’s arms tightened around her, and she rested her head against his chest, drawing comfort from the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. “I know it’s a trying time,” he murmured, “but we must trust that she will be well, Jaclyn. Charlotte is strong.”
