Chapter Thirty-Four

E xhausted but happy, and feeling satisfied with her labor since Mrs. Boswell said she'd done very well for her first time, Clarity looked down into the ruddy face of her newborn son. He had a fuzzy covering of the softest black downy hair on top of his little head.

While not remembering Purity's birth, she knew from seeing Adam and her younger siblings being born that everything about her baby looked perfectly normal.

The door opened, and Alex entered. Mrs. Boswell had gone to fetch him and take out the detritus.

Upon seeing her sitting up and fully awake, he yelled, "We have a son!"

Purity, who was still seated beside the bed, arose and stroked Clarity's cheek.

"You are a marvel, dear sister. I'll go send word to Mother and Father." She turned to Alex, who seemed mesmerized by the swaddled baby in Clarity's arms.

"Congratulations, Lord Hollidge. Does your son have a name I can tell my parents?"

His gaze found Clarity's, and she smiled at him.

"We don't have one yet," she told her sister. Then she wondered. "Do we, Alex?"

He shook his head.

"How terribly remiss of the two of you," Purity said in jest. "It wasn't as if you didn't know the little lord was coming. I will call him ‘the healthy baby boy' for now. I'm sure our parents will be here with our sisters in a few days."

And then she was gone, leaving the two of them to stare at one another.

"We have a baby." His tone was softer now, sounding awestruck.

"We have a baby," she agreed. "With Mrs. Boswell's help."

"I think I recognized her. Isn't she the traveling gypsy fortune-teller?"

Clarity felt tired, relaxed, and so giddy with relief, even his question made her laugh.

"Fortune-teller, yes. Gypsy? No. She lives in the village and put on that costume so our guests would believe in her gift as a seer."

"Then she was a sham?" Alex asked.

"No! Not at all. Mrs. Boswell has the gift of seeing. Everyone in the village has always said it is true." She paused, then decided to tell him. "She knew we were going to marry. She told me that's what she meant the night she said my husband was in the room."

"How strange," he murmured, but his glance was fixed upon their child again.

"May I?" he asked, gesturing to the space beside her on the bed.

"Of course." Clarity could scarcely believe he was at Oak Grove.

After sitting on the edge of the mattress, he leaned over to better see their son.

"Hold him." Immediately, she thrust the baby toward him, swaddling blanket and all.

Alex flinched slightly before taking the bundle from her, his large hands dwarfing the infant.

"Hold him close," she said. "We must keep him warm."

Nodding, he tucked their boy against his chest. "He's tiny."

"He is perfect," she said, touching her son's small forehead.

"Yes, I can see that," Alex agreed.

Clarity had already memorized the baby's face, but she hadn't dared to think of a name for him until Alex was next to her.

"My sister is correct. We should have chosen a name."

Alex nodded, not taking his eyes off his son.

"We can give him your father's name if you like," Clarity offered.

His gaze flew to hers, tears glistening.

"Yes." He cleared his throat. "I would like that."

Clarity paused. "I confess I don't know what it is. How remiss of me. I know you've told me in the past, but my brain is fogged, and I cannot recall. Besides, I always think of your parents as Lord and Lady Hollidge."

" We are Lord and Lady Hollidge," he reminded her. "I think my father's name will suit him perfectly. Young Osbert."

Clarity stifled the gasp of dismay, determined not to let him know she didn't like the name. After all that Alex had been through with his parents, she could give him this gift.

"A good, strong name, don't you think?" he asked.

"Yes," she said, keeping a false smile on her face while wondering if she could call him Bertie, at least while he was little.

To her amazement, Alex started to laugh.

"I'm teasing you, wife. My father was Thomas and, if you're amenable, our son shall be Thomas as well."

"Yes, of course! Now I remember." She giggled. "You teased me!"

"I did," he agreed.

"And you laughed," she pointed out.

"I did that, too."

They beamed at one another before a large yawn snuck upon her.

"Can he have my father's name as a middle name?" she asked, before a wave of tiredness nearly made her close her eyes while they were talking.

"Yes. Thomas Geoffrey," Alex said. "That sounds grand, doesn't it?"

"It does." This was all too easy and too pleasant.

When was he going to start berating her again for her idiotic actions?

Now that she'd produced a healthy baby, she could scarcely recall how desperately unhinged she'd felt to get to Alex.

"I'm awfully pleased you're here," she told him.

He shook his head. "You say that as if I arrived back from a pleasant trip in time to hold our son, rather than finding you on the road about to give birth in a carriage."

"Mrs. Boswell said we wouldn't be able to solve our problems until we were together. I should have listened, though, when she said to simply wait."

"Mrs. Boswell makes a great deal of sense. Your coachman looked positively green. Imagine what you put the man through."

He shifted his position, standing up and going around to the other side of the bed before sitting beside her and leaning against the headboard.

"You were returning to London, and I was racing to get here," he pointed out.

"Yes, I forgot that. Why were you?" she asked. "Racing here, I mean."

"Because I adore you, and I cannot live without you."

Clarity couldn't suppress a gasp this time, although it ended in another large yawn.

"That's wonderful," she said. "I thought you were disappointed in me." Leaning her head upon the many pillows still behind her, she closed her eyes.

"I was disappointed in myself, actually."

She heard Alex's words but couldn't summon the strength to look at him or respond.

"We will talk more as soon as you've slept," he promised, and then she slipped into blissful oblivion.

When Clarity awakened, it took her a moment to remember all that had occurred. The baby! Alex!

Neither were in the room with her, but she knew they had both been real. They were all at Oak Grove Hall together, despite her reckless flight the day before. Or had it already been two days?

But where were they now?

"You're awake," came Purity's voice when she stirred.

"My mouth feels as though I've been sucking wool."

Her younger sister smiled. "I've got lemonade for you."

"Bless your heart. That's exactly what I want."

"I know my sister." Purity poured her a glass from the pitcher and brought it over. "Or I thought I did before you did such a silly thing."

Clarity knew to what she referred. Since it had all worked out for the best, she wasn't going to dwell on her stupidity, nor keep apologizing.

"Love will make you do something foolish someday, too. I will wager upon it."

Purity appeared shocked.

"Does falling in love mean losing one's common sense?" she asked.

"It's more like you have horse blinders on. Suddenly, you don't care what is to your left or your right. All you can think about is the one person your heart has thrust front and center."

Purity cocked her head, looking thoughtful. "Yet you are married to the man you love, and still, you left him."

"I was wrong," Clarity confessed. "I should have stayed to attack our difficulties head on, but I'm confident we shall work through any issues between us. Where is he?"

"Your husband was here for hours, and finally, I told him to go get some proper rest. He is sleeping next door."

"And Osbert?"

"Who?" Her sister frowned.

"Sorry, I mean where is Thomas, my son?"

"In our old nursery with Winnie playing nursemaid. Thomas is a good name, by the way."

Clarity felt relieved. "For a moment I thought you would say you'd found a wet nurse."

Purity raised both eyebrows. "Is that what you want? We'll have to ask in the village if you do."

"No, I shall nurse him myself." In a short while, Clarity was propped up again with pillows, trying to get Thomas to suckle, grateful when Mrs. Boswell returned.

"How are you doing, my lady?"

"I am beyond frustrated," she declared, as Thomas began to cry again.

The midwife merely chuckled. "These things take time. Your milk doesn't come in right away, dear. He'll fuss a bit, but in a couple days, there will be plenty of nourishment for him."

Clarity closed her eyes. "What do I do until then?"

"You're doing fine," Mrs. Boswell said. "That's the correct way to go about it. Let him suck, and he'll get something. Moreover, the more he sucks, the faster your milk will come. And you'll need plenty of rest and keep quenching your thirst. And the good news is your milk will come in more quickly next time."

Clarity nodded. It was hard to think of a next time after what her body had just been through.

"And in a few days, when your nipples are sore and red and cracking, don't lose heart!"

Clarity's eyes popped open. "Sore nipples?" she asked. "I don't remember Mother mentioning that."

The midwife chuckled. "I have some excellent salve you can rub on. Or maybe your handsome husband will rub it on for you."

Clarity felt her cheeks heat.

"Speak of the devil, and here he comes," Mrs. Boswell said when Alex entered, looking as if he had come directly from the land of Nod. His hair was mussed, and he wore only trousers and his shirt without a jacket or even a waistcoat.

His gaze locked immediately with Clarity's. And then dropped to her chest. One breast was bare while her other was covered with a piece of linen.

She raised her chin and continued to fidget with their baby until Thomas latched on. Not for a minute did she want Alex to think she couldn't handle this any better than she had run their household.

"There you go," Mrs. Boswell said. "You and the little one are getting the hang of it now."

Clarity was grateful for the midwife's words of encouragement. Even more grateful when she swiftly vacated the room, leaving them alone to chat.

"How are you feeling?" Alex asked.

"Fine. I slept deeply. Although now that I think about it, I am famished."

He smiled. "I imagine what you went through would make anyone hungry. I don't think you should get up, however. It's best if you remain resting and take a meal in bed."

Clarity had watched her mother go about her business more quickly with each baby, but she didn't mind being pampered.

"If you would ask the kitchen staff for some soup and bread and butter. That's what appeals most. And maybe a coddled egg."

He nodded and went to the door.

"You could ring them from here," she pointed out.

"It will be faster if I go ask directly."

"Will you come back and eat with me?"

"If you wish, I would like that," he agreed.

"Yes, I would. And I would also like a few rashers of bacon, please."

He grinned, and the sight of it made her heart bloom almost as much as the fact that Thomas was quietly sucking as if he knew what he was doing.

Their new routine was interrupted the next day by the arrival of the rest of the Diamond family, which Alex sorely wished had been delayed. He enjoyed having his wife and baby almost to himself, while Purity and Adam stayed out of the way for the most part.

Besides, he and Clarity had put off a deep discussion of what had driven her away from London, and he knew they ought to tackle it before they returned home to engage in more of the same strife. When they did return to Town, more than anything, he wanted them to go back as a family.

"Congratulations." Lady Diamond was the first through the front door of Oak Grove Hall, putting her arms around Alex. Immediately, he felt like a small person for wishing even for a moment that Clarity's family hadn't come.

After his wife released Alex, Lord Diamond stuck his hand out and pumped his arm fondly. The two younger sisters were practically jumping up and down.

"Can we see the baby now, please?" Brilliance asked.

"We'll be ever so quiet," Radiance promised.

"I am sure Clarity will love seeing all of you," Alex said.

"Then lead the way," Lady Diamond said, as if he were the host instead of being a guest in her country home.

With a nod, he turned and went up the stairs with four pairs of feet following him. Knocking on his wife's door, he opened it gently and peeked in. Clarity was awake, with Purity sitting nearby.

"You have visitors. Are you ready?"

She smiled, showing her dimples. "Yes, please, send them in."

Opening the door wider, he stepped back and let the close-knit Diamond family reunite. Only Adam was out of the house, riding.

Alex watched them all circle the bed and walked quietly away. His steps led him to the kitchen. Lately, he'd been entering their culinary domain at will. It gave him something to do, to be helpful by giving a direct request from his always famished wife, since there wasn't much he could do for Thomas.

Each time he put his hand to the familiar smooth door, he couldn't help but think of when he and Clarity would sneak in there for treats.

Wandering in, he wondered what the staff would do if he sat on the cook's stool and asked to stay for some small bite.

"Can I help you, my lord?" came the query from the scullery maid.

"The Diamond family has arrived. They are in Lady Clarity's ... that is, in Lady Hollidge's room. I suggest tea and biscuits for all of them."

"Yes, my lord. At once." True to her word, she grabbed two teapots from the shelf and began to scoop in leaves from a nearby tin. Since water was almost always kept at a boil, tea would be ready within minutes.

"Anything for yourself?" she asked.

"Thank you, no." He took a step toward the door, then looked back. "That is, unless you have any of those spiced sultana buns I recall from childhood. I expect not. Foolish of me to ask."

Just then, Mrs. Dilbert came in from the store room, overhearing him.

"I know the very ones you mean, my lord. I wasn't the cook when you were here as a lad. Mrs. Davis was. She stays in London with the family now. But I was here in the kitchen at the time. It won't take long to whip up a batch."

Startled by the long speech from the woman who had previously barely spoken to him, Alex nodded.

"If it's not any trouble," he said.

Mrs. Dilbert looked at the scullery maid, and they both burst out into laughter.

"Sorry, my lord," she managed when she reined in her humor, "but that's the funniest thing anyone has ever said to me. That's my job, you know. That's what I'm here for. That's what we're all here for, to take care of this family, and that includes you."

"Yes, of course," Alex returned awkwardly. "Thank you."

His extra politeness threatened to have the woman in gales of laughter again, and thus, he promptly left.

Halfway down the corridor, he heard the scullery maid's voice call after him.

"No need to come back to the kitchen, my lord. I'll bring the buns to you."

Alex merely waved over his shoulder and continued on his way. He'd had an idea sometime between ordering the tea and being laughed at by the jolly kitchen staff.

His next stop would be considered outrageous by anyone who knew him, but he was determined to go see Mrs. Boswell. Previously, he could have hoped to catch the midwife alone in the house, but now that all the Diamonds were milling about, he knew he would have to seek her at her home.

To that end, Alex saddled a horse and was on his way. Running into Adam who was returning, he told him of his family's arrival before continuing on the only road. At the pub, he asked for the midwife's residence.

Fortunately, when he knocked on her door a few minutes later, Mrs. Boswell was at home. Immediately, she claimed it was not purely good luck.

"I've been expecting you," the fortune-teller declared.