Epilogue
Six months later
Dinah eased up from the chair, her hand to her back. She was as big as the elephant she’d seen at the Tower when she was small.
“Would you like to walk?” asked Jo. “The midwife said it can ease the pain and bring the contractions on more quickly.”
“I’m not sure what I want except for this baby to come,” she said with a grunt as it kicked. Her hand went to her swollen belly. “Stop that, little one. I can already tell you will not be a complacent child.”
“Just like the parents,” said Jo with a smile. “I hope the first one is a girl. I know you want a boy.”
“Neel couldn’t care less as long as it’s healthy and there are no complications.” Dinah shook her head. “He’s so nervous. I told him to put the book away about birthing, or he’ll have nightmares.”
“The physician will also be attending?” asked Jo, who had only arrived the previous day.
“Yes, but he took so long to arrive when I fell last December, we thought it best to have the local midwife. Mrs. Shurring has been delivering babies for thirty years.” Dinah had complete confidence in the woman’s skill.
“She’s probably seen more births than Dr. Broggin,” said Jo. “I’d feel more comfortable with another woman than a man afraid to peek under the blanket.”
They were both laughing when Neel entered the sitting room.
“My two favorite women.” He stopped to kiss the cheeks of his wife and sister, then bent and kissed Dinah’s protruding belly and jerked back. “It kicked me!”
Dinah chuckled. “We’ll have trouble with this one.”
Mrs. Hokum brought in tea. “Should be any day now,” she said, beaming at her mistress. “The staff has wagers on the day and time.”
“Not if it’s a boy or a girl?” asked Neel.
“Oh, that too. We’ve got quite a kitty going,” she said, setting down the tray. “Enjoy your tea.”
Jo walked over to pour for them. “Are you coming, Di? Are you well?”
“What are you gawking at?” asked Neel.
Dinah was staring at the floor. She looked up with a half smile. “I think my water broke.”
She laughed at the chaos those words produced.
Jo dropped the teacup.
Neel yelled for Mrs. Hokum and the midwife and the physician and for the Lord to help him get through this. Then he ran from the room, shouting as he went down the hall.
Mrs. Hokum came in, wiping her hands on a cloth and stopping in front of Dinah. Behind her came a maid with a mop. “Can you make it up the stairs?” she asked calmly. “I don’t know if I’d trust his lordship to carry you up right now.”
“I think so.” She waddled out of the room, with Mrs. Hokum on one side and Jo on the other. Dinah had to stop several times to catch her breath, and once when a contraction started, but she was soon tucked into bed.
“Mrs. Hokum, would you check on my brother? Tell him he may join us if he can remain calm.” Jo looked at Dinah, and they both burst out laughing.
“Yes, ma’am,” said the housekeeper. “I’ll get the laudanum too.”
“For my pain?” asked Dinah, wondering if that would make her sleepy. She wanted to see her baby enter this world.
“No, for his lordship.”
Neel held the infant in his arms, a look of wonder in his dark eyes. “He’s perfect.”
“Yes, he is. And strong.” She’d never been so exhausted or happy. “Papa would have been so happy to know we’ve named him Gerald.”
“He knows,” Neel said, his gaze holding hers. “I love you.”
She smiled, leaning against the pillow, wondering if a body could sleep for a week. “I love you too.”
He sat next to her on the bed, holding their child.
Dinah was filled with joy and contentment.
She had a man who loved her dearly in return and the start of a family.
She thought of her mother, who had never experienced this kind of joy.
Because of her, Dinah might have lost herself and all of this.
“Neel, I was thinking.”
“Uh-oh,” he said with a smirk. “That’s never good.”
She slapped his arm and the sleeping infant stirred. “We should send your brother a gift he can give his wife.”
Neel tipped his head, staring at her. “What?”
“What?” she returned with a grin.
“Why would you send anything for his wife? She’s—”
“The quizzing glass. It’s a lovely piece.” Dinah wanted to share her happiness. She had always liked Neel’s oldest brother, and perhaps, just perhaps, the quizzing glass could help.
“It’s a splendid idea.” He kissed the top of her head. “You are a marvel. Beautiful and generous and all mine.”