Chapter 30
“D o you think it is too late to call on your parents?” Joanna asked with a pleading smile.
Pulling out his pocket watch, Edward considered it. “We are just on the cusp, but if we hurry, we should catch them before bed.”
And with that, they were off, though Joanna managed only a few hurried steps before slowing once more. Good heavens, she was so very tired. But rather than making her shoulders droop, the thought helped to push her feet forward. A child!
She held fast to Edward’s arm as the pair wove their way through town, and when they arrived at Hawthorne House, Joanna’s spirits rose at the sight of the lanterns burning bright in the parlor windows. Though Mother and Father were surprised by the sudden appearance of their son and his wife, they welcomed the pair in.
“We were just heading to bed,” said Mother as she motioned for them to take a seat on the sofa beside Gregory. “Sadie has already retired, though I suspect she is reading.”
But Joanna couldn’t wait another moment; the words burst out of her with a beaming smile. “We are expecting.”
Silence met that declaration, and their parents stood like statues for several long moments until understanding wove its way past the shock. Mother beamed, sweeping Joanna into an embrace as Father took hold of Edward, and then Gregory added his congratulations to the mix. Despite there being only five, the noise was loud enough to draw Sadie from her bedchamber, who joined in the revelries.
Joanna was passed about for well-wishes and embraces, and though the mayhem made her a touch light-headed, tears gathered in her eyes as the family rallied around her to celebrate this happy news. For the briefest moment, she wondered if Papa would be pleased when she wrote to him, but she cast aside that quandary as it mattered little when the Vaughns were so effusive in their joy.
Joanna had a family. Not just the one she’d married into, but with this child, she was fashioning one of her own. Pressing a hand to where the babe rested, she promised herself that this child would never have to question whether he or she was loved.
Drinks were called for, and the Vaughns toasted the good news and the health of mother and child, but soon, Joanna found herself arm in arm with Mother as the pair settled into a far corner.
“How are you feeling, Joanna?”
“That depends on what ‘feeling’ you are referencing,” she replied with a laugh. “Physically, I am worn to the bone and wretched much of the time. Emotionally, I am happy and frightened and eager and so many other things that I can hardly understand what I am feeling.”
Shoulders drooping, Joanna winced. “Mostly, I am so very happy—though I cannot help but worry.”
Mother grabbed up her daughter-in-law’s hand and squeezed it. “Given your family history, it is little wonder. Everyone knows childbirth is perilous, but until that tragedy touches you, it is easy to believe it cannot happen. But the family will do everything in our power to help you through this.”
Clutching the lady’s hand tight, Joanna smiled, her shoulders relaxing. “That is a great comfort. Thank you.”
“Thank you for marrying Eddie and joining our family.” Casting a look toward where Edward sat with his siblings and father, Mother drew her lips into a tender smile. “Under your influence, he has grown into the man I had always hoped he would be, and I give thanks every day for you.”
Though the compliment warmed her through (and she allowed herself the briefest of moments to revel in it), Joanna straightened, her brows pulling low.
“Edward has always been a good man. That is not my doing.”
“Of course,” said Mother with a nod. “But you helped him settle. Mature.”
Blinking at the lady, Joanna shook her head. “Not in the slightest. I’ve known your son for years, and I’ve always been impressed with his sense of duty. Edward is naturally kind and thoughtful, and I had no hand in that.”
All the conversations she’d shared with Edward concerning his parents surfaced in her thoughts, and Joanna longed to speak out against all the worries and doubts he’d fostered over the years. But fear clamped her mouth shut, whispering that she ought not to stir up trouble when things were so pleasant between her and her in-laws.
Joanna prayed the lady would leave the subject there.
“I do not mean to imply that I was disappointed in my son. I love him dearly, and I am very proud of what he has done with his life,” said Mother with a frown. “However, his light-heartedness pushes him to make a jest of everything, and it reminds me so much of my brother—”
“No.” The word slipped from Joanna’s grasp before she could think better of it, and though her pulse quickened, she couldn’t bear to let that statement stand unchallenged. “I know you do not mean to hurt him, but do you know how much it pains Edward when you compare him to Isaac? How much he takes it to heart when you express your worries over his honor and work ethic?”
Mother’s brows rose as her eyes widened. “I do not mean to hurt him.”
“That may be true, but every time you fret over his behavior, all he hears is that his mother doesn’t know who he truly is and doesn’t trust him no matter what he does,” she said with a frown. “Your son enjoys a jest, yes. He prefers to approach life in a light-hearted manner, yes. But that doesn’t mean he is flippant about the things that matter—or that he isn’t aware of how he constantly disappoints you.”
Mother’s eyes darted to where her son stood, her brows twisting together. “Eddie isn’t a disappointment. I worry. That is all.”
“Yes, but your worries undermine his confidence at every turn. He is so concerned about your good opinion that he is afraid of any mistake, certain that it will lower him in your estimation.”
Considering what she ought to say, Joanna recognized a great truth that the lady needed to know, but to tell her would be to go against Edward’s wishes. Yet she knew that the time for truth had arrived. Drawing in a breath, Joanna rushed forward, describing in quick detail the history of their marriage, all the while praying that Edward wouldn’t hate her for this—but neither son nor mother would ever understand the other with secrets hanging between them.
With each word, Joanna’s feelings swelled, pulling more and more from her as she fought to heal the breach between the pair, her mouth moving faster as it tried to capture all that had happened and all she knew.
“When it was clear there was no other option, Edward didn’t hesitate to do his duty. He may make light of things from time to time, but that is only because he recognizes the importance of joy and laughter in life. But there is no one I would rather have at my side when times are rough. He is the kindest, most thoughtful man I’ve ever known, and I will not listen to you castigate him because of your baseless fears. And his name is Edward—not Eddie. He isn’t a child.”
Joanna straightened as her thoughts caught up with her words, reminding her to whom she was speaking, and her eyes widened as she stared at Mother, who watched her with an equally shocked expression.
Turning away, she crossed over to her husband’s side and took his arm. Edward gave a start, but even when he saw who it was, he didn’t quite relax—though Joanna forced herself to do so, all while she prayed that she hadn’t offended her mother-in-law or caused irreparable damage between mother and son.
*
With Joanna pressed up beside him, Eddie found it impossible to focus on the conversation. Did the child mark a change between them? Or was she relaxing the boundaries she’d set? His thoughts bounced between those questions as he smiled and laughed alongside his family.
Or did this have something to do with the kiss he’d stolen?
Casting those queries aside, Eddie reveled in the freedom of being with Joanna without constraints and caveats. In enjoying the little touches and moments that had peppered their days before her edict.
“I do hate to cut the celebrations short,” began Gregory, glancing at the others, “but I fear I have an early morning tomorrow, and I must retire.”
“And I should probably get my wife to bed,” said Eddie, glancing at Joanna, who appeared awake and alert but had an edge to her smile that warned she was close to expiring.
Coming forward, Gregory shook his brother’s hand and bussed Joanna on the cheek with final words of congratulations before leaving the parlor with his sister on his heels.
“I fear I have early plans as well. I wanted to catch the sunrise for a painting,” said Sadie, bussing her sister-in-law on the cheek.
“That sounds lovely,” said Joanna.
“I had thought to invite you, but I know you’ve been so tired of late, and we now know the reason why,” said Sadie with a laugh. “I can wait until the afternoon if you wish to join me.”
But Joanna waved it off. “Do not alter your plans for me. The heat is unbearable, and I will wilt if I attempt any painting out of doors.”
The pair embraced, making grand plans for future outings, and Eddie’s heart swelled at the sight; Joanna didn’t understand just how much of an effect she’d had on his sister.
When Joanna returned to his side, his hand moved of its own accord, rising to settle at the small of her back. The lady shifted ever so slightly. Not enough to be an overt dismissal, but Eddie recognized the discomfort and dropped it.
Now she didn’t want his touch? How was a man to know what to do when the rules changed constantly?
“We should be on our way,” he said, nodding Joanna toward the door.
“Can I speak with you for a moment?” asked Mother, pulling Eddie and Joanna to a halt on the threshold. Sadie stopped as well, but she was shooed off by her mother as the lady motioned for her son and daughter-in-law to sit.
“I know you want to be off,” she added, “but I have something important that needs saying, and it cannot wait until tomorrow.”