“What kind of day is it today, Ellie? Do you think it will be hot?”
Isobel’s abigail flung back the shutters letting the sunlight pour into the bed chamber. “It’s a beautiful day, my lady, I reckon as his grace was right to delay your move back into the main building until them April showers had gone.”
“Have you seen the improvements, Ellie? I’ve not been allowed to peep. Do you know I’ve not felt so excited since I was a small child waiting for my name day.”
Her brow creased. Today was in fact her anniversary and she would be one and twenty. Alexander had never acknowledged her birthday. Indeed, she had no notion when his birthday was, but he must be well into his thirties. What a ridiculous situation! How could she have been married to a man without actually knowing how old he was? High time this matter was cleared up.
“I’ve not been in; no one has apart from them that are working in there. That lot who came back from London are the only ones who know what’s been done.” The girl carefully placed the tray on the bedside table. “Shall I put out the pale green dimity, my lady? The one with the pretty daisies sewn around the neck and hem?”
Isobel stretched and the baby protested by punching and kicking as if desperate to get out. The eminent medical man who had come down from Town last month had assured her she was in perfect health and that her hips were wide enough to produce the infant she was carrying. Her delivery could not come soon enough. She felt like a brood mare about to drop a foal. Maintaining any sort of normal activity was becoming increasingly difficult. Alexander still insisted on accompanying her on her early-morning promenade even though the small band of renegades had long since been arrested, but even this gentle stroll would soon become too much.
Only a few more weeks and then she would be holding her baby in her arms. What must take place in order to produce this miracle she did not dwell upon. Mary had told her what to expect as she had produced three stillborn infants in the early days of her marriage.
Alexander had been remarkably elusive, spending all his days either overseeing whatever was going on next door or about the estate. Regular reports were sent from Grosvenor Square by Mr Bentley who was all and betrothed to one Miss Amelia Workington, the pretty daughter of a minor aristocrat. The young man was to visit with the family when the season was over but would not be returning to take up residence in the east wing until the renovations and repairs were completed.
She no longer bothered to wear a multitude of petticoats or silk stockings, she did not go about in public and Alexander scarcely seemed aware of her nowadays. No, that was not quite true. Every evening they dined together in perfect harmony, he was witty and charming but treated her as if she was a sibling rather than his wife.
“I shall get dressed immediately, Ellie. I intend to demand to be taken next door. I shall eat my breakfast on the terrace outside the breakfast parlour.” She smiled at her maid. “Tell Cook I shall eat nothing further until I am established in Newcomb.”
She stood tapping her foot in her sitting room. Why was Alexander tardy? Every morning he came to escort her downstairs as if she were a decrepit octogenarian not a healthy young woman with nothing wrong with her. Admittedly having his arm to support her as she negotiated the staircase was a boon. Pregnancy was making her decidedly unbalanced, as if she might tip forward from the weight she carried in front of her.
Eventually the door opened. “My love, forgive me, you must have wondered where I was. Come, shall we go down?” He drew her arm through his, his eyes tender. “Being with child has made you even more beautiful, sweetheart; every day I thank God you came back to me.”
Isobel returned his smile. “And every day I begin to believe I made the right decision.”
Downstairs the hall was empty, the usual footmen absent and no sound of parlour maids. Good gracious! Even her dogs were missing. Where was everybody this morning? He led her straight outside not pausing to ask if she wished to break her fast before her morning walk.
A thrill of excitement rippled through her. “Alexander, are we finally going next-door? I’ve been beside myself with curiosity these past few weeks. Why have you chosen today?”
“Why do you think, darling?”
She pursed her lips and glanced up at him. “It’s May day? The first day of summer?”
His free hand came round and cupped her face, turning it towards him. “No, you pea-goose, it’s your name day. I thought this the perfect time to surprise you.”
Her feet stuck to the ground, her eyes filled. “I didn’t think you knew, I can’t tell you how much this means to me, Alexander. I shall never forget today.”
His eyes flashed and he dipped his head, his lips covered hers in a kiss so sweet she wished it could go on forever. He raised his head and smoothed away her tears. “I love you, Isobel; I hope one day you’ll be able to reciprocate. Now, I want to show you the changes I’ve made.”
He guided her around the corner of the building. A huge cheer from the assembled staff rocked her back on her heels. They were all freshly garbed and waiting to greet her. To her astonishment Mary, magnificent in bombazine, stepped forward and curtsied formally.
“Welcome, your grace, I am housekeeper here, Watkins at your service.”
Then Bill resplendent in black tailcoat was beside her bowing deeply. “Welcome, your grace, I am Brown, butler here, at your service. Allow me to present your staff.”
Isobel could scarcely believe her eyes. Alexander had appointed her staff to run his enormous establishment. “Thank you, Alexander - having my own people in charge here is the best birthday gift you could have given me.” She could hardly ask what he intended to do with Maynard and Foster, but as long as they were not here she didn’t care. They were both well past retirement age, hopefully he had pensioned them off and she would never have to endure their supercilious behaviour again.
“My love, you haven’t had your birthday gift yet; I’ve more to show you. However, I am delighted you approve of my selection. I want you to be happy here and I know you were not, under the old regime.”
Bill, keeping a commendably straight face, introduced each of the footmen from senior to junior and there were a prodigious amount of these. Mary did the same with the females. As each one heard their name they bowed or curtsied appropriately and she nodded regally, by the time she reached the front door she was biting her lips trying to hold back her giggles.
Alexander must have felt her vibrating because he raised his eyebrows in a comical manner which was almost her undoing. It would be most unkind to laugh when the staff were taking the matter so seriously; but the fact that she knew most one of them already made the whole business risible. She was relieved to be escorted inside leaving the servants to disperse behind her.
She breathed deeply trying to control her amusement. The sweet scent of hothouse flowers filled her nostrils. Everywhere she looked there were vases overflowing with beautiful blooms; this lessened the austerity of the vast, rectangular entrance hall, made it seem more welcoming.
Forgetting they had an interested audience of several dozen she flung her arms around his neck and kissed him. The old Alexander would have pushed her away a look of distaste on his face because she’d made a public display, but the new one laughed out loud and swung her around like a child. What the poor baby thought of all this she could not imagine, it must think its mother had run mad.
“Darling girl, you haven’t seen everything. I want this to be the happiest day of your life, I want you to remember the day you came of age as a turning point for both of us.” He gently set her down but kept his arm around her waist in case she was disorientated by his flamboyant gesture.
“I shall keep flowers in the hallway always, it makes such a difference. Perhaps you could commission some studies of the grounds and they could hang in place of the gloomy portraits.”
“I’ll have you know, my girl, you’re casting aspersions on my ancestors and the ancestors of our children.” He grinned and dropped a feather-light kiss on the end of her nose. “But I agree, they shall be banished to the east wing for Bentley to appreciate.”
“I am sharp set, Alexander. May I have my breakfast now?” He looked quite dejected at her suggestion; he obviously had further surprises awaiting her attention. “However, I am quite happy to wait until you have shown me everything, as long as you promise to sit down with me when we’ve finished.”
Like a boy his expression lightened and he almost whisked her off her feet as he took her down a passageway she didn’t believe she’d ever traversed before. “Where are you taking me this time?”
“To see the new kitchens and other offices which are now fully functioning on this floor. The downstairs rooms have been given over to the staff. There’s a separate hall for the senior servants, a bathing room and an apartment for the butler.” He grinned. “I’ve also refurbished a neat house in the grounds for Mr and Mrs Watkins.”
“How kind of you to think of them. They have always had to make do, apart from the year they spent in the other cottage. I don’t believe I’ve the energy to go down and inspect all that; show me the new kitchens today and I shall see the rest tomorrow.”
The rooms that had been converted were ideal for the purpose having access to the cobbled backyard in which the barnyard creatures were kept. No expense had been spared— a massive, closed range had replaced the open fireplace. This would reduce the temperature and the smoke, which had always been a nuisance in the kitchen area.
Finding Mrs Boothroyd, her own cook, in charge was no more than she expected. What was a surprise were the numerous scullery maids, kitchen maids, pot boys and other minions the cook now had under her control. She prayed Alexander’s faith in her inexperienced staff would not be misplaced.
“I am most impressed with the changes, I can’t credit how much you have done in the few weeks you’ve had at your disposal. In future I shall eagerly anticipate my meals instead of dreading them.” She gazed imploringly at him as her stomach gurgled loudly. “Can I have my breakfast now, please, Alexander? I shall faint quite away if I don’t eat soon.”
“Not quite yet, you might have noticed they were getting it ready whilst we were observing them. I believe we have a quarter of an hour at our disposal.” His arm once more encircled her and she found herself back in the entrance hall and without a by your leave he slid his second arm under her knees and carried her upstairs. Even he could not have love-making on his mind, not at eight o’clock in the morning and her the size of a heifer.
“I can walk from here thank you, my dear. Have you redecorated my apartment again, is that why we are here?”
“Yes and no, my love. Contain your impatience for a few moments longer if you please.”
His arm was once more around her and when she tried to turn into her old apartment she was whisked on her way and he did not stop until they were at the rear of the house. This was the part of Newcomb that abutted the east wing in which she had been living. Why had he brought her here? As far as she could recall there were dreary and unwanted chambers in this wing, rooms used for accommodating such people as governesses or companions.
“Here we are, sweetheart. This is your name day gift from me.” He flung open the door he stopped beside and stepped away her to see.
Her mouth opened. It was a transformation. Instead of an unloved guest chamber she saw a perfect lady’s boudoir. Two rooms had been made into one, an arch the only indication there had once been anything else but this beautiful sitting-room.
The furniture was exquisite; she recognized the pieces as that of Chippendale but until this moment she’d only seen drawings of such items in La Belle Assemblée and Ackerman’s Repository. The walls were freshly papered—she loved the pale green and gold stripes and the carpet was patterned in similar colours.
“I love it, how did you achieve this without recourse to asking me my taste? The day bed and armchairs match the curtains—green and gold are my favourite colours. I don’t remember telling you that.” She was too overwhelmed to continue. Shaking her head in disbelief she walked from item to item, running her hands along the smooth surfaces in delight.
Ellie appeared from the door that led into the bedroom. The girl was bouncing with excitement. “Oh, my lady, you’ll never guess what you have through here.”
Isobel wandered in a happy daze to see what other wonders he had provided. The bedroom was as superb as the sitting-room, the dressing room and closets everything they should be, but the room that had caused her abigail so much excitement was a genuine bathing room. She had heard about such places but never thought to own one for herself.
Alexander was glowing with happiness. “See, darling, if you stand here you may take a shower bath, the water escapes through the drain hole and goes down pipes attached to the outside wall. I think perhaps it might be wise not to use the bath until you’re delivered.”
She viewed the enormous bath - this was long enough for Alexander to stretch out in. She would be obliged to swim if the water were to be filled to the brim. “You’re quite right, Alexander, not only might I drown in there, I fear I might also be unable to get out again without assistance.”
“I hope you’ll give me permission to use this bathing room sometimes, sweetheart. I don’t have one installed at my end of the house.”
Her eyes widened. It had not occurred to her she had been moved on her own to this end of the building. He could not have made it plainer. He was giving her the freedom to choose. Her throat closed, she held out her hand and he took it. He was quite right, today was the start of a new life for both of them.
“There’s just one more thing to show you, darling, and then we shall go downstairs and eat.”
What else could there be? Hadn’t she got everything she could possibly want in this apartment? Keeping hold of her hand he led her back into the corridor and across the passage-way.
“I remembered what you said about your baby being taken away and brought up in the nursery by a regiment of nannies and nursemaids. It’s what’s customary in a household such as this but I intend to set a precedent. I hope you approve.” This time he opened the door and stepped in with her.
He had converted this suite of rooms into a nursery wing. Here there was everything a new baby could possibly require. There was even a bathing room for the use of the nursery staff as well as the baby when he or she was old enough. The rooms were freshly plastered, each with a substantial grate, but no furniture or curtains had been installed as in her own domain.
“I thought you would like to choose for yourself how this will be decorated. The nanny’s room, the nursemaids’ room and the small kitchen for making nursery teas are finished; the furniture and fittings are the same as everywhere else in the staff quarters. But the rest I shall leave to you.”
“Are you saying I can have my baby with me down here? Can I also select those who will have charge of the infant in my absence?”
He frowned. “Did I not just say exactly that?”
“You did, but a while ago you said it would be your prerogative to select the nursery staff. I was just checking you had changed your mind.”
“Damn it, Isobel, must you keep throwing my idiocies back to me? I thought this was to be a new beginning—the past put behind us? How can we move on if you’re constantly reminding me of my failings?”
Flustered by his unexpected irritation she stepped back treading on the hem of her skirt. She lost her balance and even his lightning reactions were not quick enough to save her from a crashing fall. The air was knocked from her lungs and for a moment she gasped for breath like a fish landed on the riverbank.
“My God, let me get you upright—it will help you regain your breath.” He snapped his fingers and Ellie appeared, her eyes round with horror. “Downstairs. Go at once and have Watkins send for the physician.”
Slowly the band of pain around her chest eased, her breath rasped in her lungs and then she was breathing normally once more. “That was a stupid thing to do. I’ve almost fallen several times doing the same thing.” Experimentally she sat up away from the comfort of his support. “I believe with your assistance I can regain my feet. This tumble was not your fault, Alexander. I’ve been increasing long enough to remember I can’t move with the alacrity I used to.”
“Here, slip your arm around my neck and I shall carry you to your chamber. I think it would be wise to rest until the doctor can examine you. You fell heavily; it does not do to take chances, not at this stage of the pregnancy.”
He carried her back across the passage and into her splendid apartment. Her eyes prickled—she had ruined the day by her clumsiness. She would not argue, her back ached unpleasantly and she feared she had done herself a mischief in the fall. However, she had no intention of worrying Alexander until the physician had examined her.