Chapter Thirty-Two
The several days following his last tryst with Daisy were painful ones for Miles.
He felt very deeply the embarrassment he had caused the Kendall name through his foolish actions and he was ashamed to have been caught with the girl.
He had promised his father he would not see the chit again and he intended to keep that vow, despite his longing for her.
Even if he had not sworn to give her up or if he had tried to continue with Daisy, his father was now keeping a very close eye on him, questioning Miles each time he set foot outside.
It was as if he were a child again, in need of close monitoring.
It made him quite resentful, but he had to admit that there was no one to blame but himself.
He knew it would take time to get out of his father’s black books and win back his trust. He was determined to do so.
He had accompanied his father on a few visits to tenant farmers, but things were still rather strained between father and son, so the outings were less than pleasant—another issue Miles vowed to heal.
He had always been so close to his father, and Miles had always taken great pleasure in accompanying him on rounds to meet with the tenant farmers.
To realize he was on the outs with both his wife and his father left Miles so unhappy.
He felt he had no one in whom he could confide.
Thinking perhaps a visit with his sister, Charlotte, would cheer him up, he instructed Mrs. Wilson to inform his father that he was going to the parsonage and left the house.
As he approached the cottage, it occurred to him that his sister might not wish for company.
She was due to give birth very soon now, and she must be so uncomfortable.
But he lifted the brass knocker to give two short raps on the door and waited to be admitted.
Sally, the maid, opened the door, and smiled to see Miles.
“Good morning, sir,” she said cheerfully. “Are you come to see Mr. Morton?”
“No, Sally, I actually wish to have a visit with Mrs. Morton, if she is up to company.”
“She is in the back parlor just now. I am sure she will be glad to see you.” The girl gestured for Miles to come in and then led him down the hall to announce him.
Charlotte was half-lying down on the sofa when Miles entered. He thought she looked tired or, perhaps, a little out of sorts, but from her smile he could tell she was happy to see him.
“Miles, how lovely,” Charlotte said. “I was just hoping for a distraction this morning. Sally, please bring tea.” Then, looking up at her brother, she added, “You can stay for tea, can you not? Or is this simply to deliver an inquiry from our father? You may tell him all is well, and I am still waiting for this baby to arrive.”
Miles grinned. “No, I have no message. I am in need of company, and I hoped you might be, as well.” He took a seat on a chair upholstered with needlepoint decorations of vines and flowers. “How are you feeling? I recall how difficult it was for Lavinia when she was at this point.”
Charlotte pushed herself up and rested a hand on her large midsection.
“I am well enough, I suppose. The midwife was here yesterday. She tells me it will not be long now. I have nothing to do but read, eat, and be patient. Frederick is hoping the baby will arrive while he is still here, and not at his other parish, so I have spoken to my future son or daughter quite firmly with my instructions.” She looked down and wagged a finger at her belly.
“You must wait until your papa is at home.”
“Is he gone now?” Miles asked.
“Yes, he left Friday and will not be back until Monday. I do wish our dear Gilbert would cease his pleasure-seeking in town and return home to begin his duties as Frederick’s curate.
Frederick has written to him twice now but received no reply.
I can only assume that means he is enjoying himself too much to take the time to write. ”
Sally entered with the tea things and set up, then bobbed a curtsy and departed.
Charlotte reached for the tray, but Miles said, “Allow me,” and poured for both of them.
He took a sip before saying, “Father has written to Gilbert, as well. Like you, I understand that our brother wishes to enjoy himself a bit before settling down to work, but his family obligations ought to come first. He ought to consider others in the family, after all.” Realizing the hypocrisy of his statement, in light of his own recent acts, Miles lowered his gaze, his face burning.
Charlotte noted his discomfit and sighed.
“Dear brother, I had not wished to bring up a painful subject, but, since you speak of family considerations, I must ask. Tell me, are the rumors I have heard true? Father came to speak to Frederick the other night, and, I confess, I overhead enough to gain the gist of his troubled mind. Are you… did you consort with a common barmaid?”
Miles felt tears come to his eyes. He nodded, unable to look his sister in the eye.
“I do not know what I was thinking. I love my wife—I do! But Lavinia has been so unreachable of late, still staying in the nursery with Dickie and ignoring me. I was so miserable and so lonely. Not that I can have any excuse for my lack in good judgment and governance, but that is the reason I was tempted to stray.”
“I see. If you would prefer to unburden yourself to Frederick in private about this later, we can change the subject. You and I need not discuss it.”
Miles raised his damp eyes and sniffed. “No, you always have sensible advice. I would wish to explain myself to you, if you have no objection.”
“How did it begin?”
“I had walked into the village one hot day and was thirsty, so I decided to have a glass of ale. Daisy—that is the girl—came over and began joking with me and flirting. It was so pleasant to have someone pretty pay attention to me. I returned once or twice more, enjoying our banter until one thing led to another. When she made it clear she would not object, well, we ended up in bed. I swore I would never do it again. Then, Lavinia and I had a bad argument. I insisted she come down and join Father and me for dinners again, but she refused. I was so angry at her that I stormed out of the house and went directly to Daisy’s bed.
And so it might have continued except for Father’s learning of it.
When he discovered us together—well, Charlotte, I fear I shall never erase it from my memory. ”
“I have no need to hear those details, if you do not mind,” Charlotte said. “So, you are resolved to never again see this girl?”
“I am.”
“And will you confess all to Lavinia?”
Miles violently shook his head. “Absolutely not. It would do no good and would likely make things between us even worse.”
“Or… perhaps it might help. This discord between you and Lavinia must come to a head—in the same way a fever must reach its peak before the body can begin to heal.”
Miles sipped his tea a moment, considering.
“No, I do not think so,” he finally said.
“I shall just hope that Dickie continues to get better, and that she will return to our marriage. She has, at least, hired a new nursery maid, which also gives me hope.” He gave a shrug.
“That is all there is to say on my wretched behavior. I am sorry you have learned of it. I know you must think ill of me now.”
Charlotte set her cup down and hauled herself to her feet.
She crossed over to Miles and bent down to embrace him.
“Miles. You are my dear, dear brother and I shall always love you. We none of us are perfect, as you well know. I hope that you can try kindness instead of anger when speaking to Lavinia and—oh!” Charlotte broke off with a gasp and stood erect, a queer expression on her face.
“Charlotte, what is it? Is it the baby?”
Charlotte clutched her stomach and took a deep breath, then smiled. “Yes, I think it is my time. Call for Sally to fetch the midwife and help me upstairs. Oh, why does it have to be now? My poor Frederick is away.”
Nine hours later, Charlotte gave birth to a hefty and healthy son.
Miles and Evan had gathered at the parsonage to await the birth, but Lavinia had refused to come, despite Miles’s pleadings.
She merely had said she would pray that all went well.
Miles had nearly thrown harsh words at her for such a lack of support, but, mindful of what Charlotte had just advised him, he had bent to kiss his wife’s forehead saying, “Very well, my dear, as you see fit.” To his surprise, she spoke as he was leaving, “Do send word as soon as there is news, darling?” He had smiled and nodded, then hurried back to the parsonage with his father to wait.
Now, he and Evan were at Charlotte’s bedside, admiring the red-faced, mewling baby, swaddled and held securely in her arms.
“He is the image of when you came into this world, Charlotte,” Evan said. “Same dark hair and, no doubt, the eyes will follow. He will be a handsome lad, just like his grandfather.” He laughed. “I am most happy for you and Frederick.”
“It is well that the baby should have dark looks like Frederick and me, Father,” Charlotte said, smiling. “If he were light in his features like Dorothea and Gilbert, people might think we are not his true parents.”
“What will you name him?” Miles asked.
“Frederick wishes to call him William and I have no objection. I did ask if his second name might be Frederick, but he wants to honor you, Father, since you were instrumental in bringing about our marriage. So, he is to be William Evan, and I am most content with that.”
“Thank you, my dear,” Evan bent to kiss Charlotte on the top of her head. “Now, I think it best that we leave you and your young charge to rest. I am quite grateful all went well.”
When Evan and Miles returned to Clayton House, Miles immediately went to the nursery to tell Lavinia the happy news. To his great surprise, he saw only his son, sleeping peacefully, and Susan, the new nursery maid sitting beside the tiny bed, doing some needlework.
“Where is Mrs. Kendall?” Miles asked.
“I believe she went to look for something in her bedchamber, sir.”
Lavinia had left the nursery? Could it truly be? Carrying a kernel of doubt with him, Miles hurried to their room. He found Lavinia going through a cupboard, pulling out items, examining them and setting them aside. He caught his breath.
Oh, Lord, she has learned of my indiscretion and is leaving me.
“Lavinia, dearest—what are you doing?”
She looked up, her countenance quite serious. “Oh, Miles, Sally from the parsonage came to the house with the news of Charlotte’s successful birth. A boy—isn’t that grand? Frederick will be so happy.” She went back to pulling items out of drawers, studying them and shoving them back.
“But, what are you doing just now, Lavinia?”
She gave a small laugh, “I am so addled, I declare, I completely forgot to answer your question. I am looking for something appropriate that I might give as a gift for Charlotte and the new baby, but I cannot find a thing. What are they to name the boy, do you know?”
“William Evan. It is so kind of you to want to have a gift for her, but you need not do it this very moment.”
Lavinia shook her head firmly. “No, I must. I have been most remiss in my attentions to Charlotte. I ought to have been knitting baby blankets, or socks, or something these past few months. I have nothing—nothing at all to gift them with. There is only one thing for it. I must go into Doddington tomorrow and purchase something, or at least buy some fabric for the baby.”
“That is an excellent idea. I can go with you, if you like.”
“No, I will take Ellen with me. I would prefer it if you remained at Clayton House, in case Dickie needs you. Susan is quite good with him and she handles his seizures nearly as well as I do. Therefore, I believe it is safe to go out of the house for a short trip. A very short trip, that is. Do stay home until my return, however.”
Miles went to embrace his wife. She stiffened a moment, before relaxing into his arms. “I am so pleased to see you willing to trust Susan with our son,” he said.
He dug into his waistcoat pocket and brought forth several shillings, which he pressed into her hand.
“Here. Buy something pretty for yourself, too. Some new ribbons for your hair or some lace, perhaps?” He kissed her gently.
“Then, it would make me so happy if you would join Father and me for dinner tomorrow.”
Lavinia hesitated a moment before nodding. “Perhaps. It depends on how Dickie does while I am gone. But, yes, Miles, perhaps… it is time.”