Chapter Nineteen High Season

Chapter Nineteen

High Season

“E lizabeth! Sweeting!” August yelled up the staircase. “I fear we shall be inexcusably late.”

A footman stationed at the upper hallway didn’t move, but a maid turned and went striding toward his wife’s rooms at a fast clip.

The day of the king’s royal gathering had arrived, his unveiling of the not-quite-finished renovations to the former Buckingham House, now Buckingham Palace. It was a palace in truth, expanded in size and grandeur to suit the king’s extravagant reign.

And Elizabeth, understandably, dreaded visiting her “friend.”

They’d moved into the time of the ton ’s High Season, where the entertainments came so fast and thick they began to overlap. It had been nearly a month since they’d been summoned to the king’s reception room for a private exhibition of Elizabeth’s “powers.” It had also been nearly a month since he’d introduced his wife to the secret dungeon in the cellar, and they’d spent an inordinate amount of time there between walks in the park, concerts, gatherings, and grand balls. No wonder that she’d risen late, and they were behind on their way to the king’s party.

He ought to leave her alone now and then, give her a rest from his debauchery, but she encouraged him so often, it could not be entirely his fault. Could relentlessly seducing your husband be considered a spankable offense?

“Darling, please,” he called again. “However you look, I’m sure it’s fine.”

She appeared at the head of the stairs, frowning violently.

“Are you going to wear that?” he asked. Her dress was plain for a court visit, and a very dull gold, rather than her usual floral, lacy pastels. “I mean, you look lovely…”

“I do not,” she said, starting down the stairs. “I don’t mean to. I don’t wish to catch His Majesty’s attention at this party, so I’m wearing a bland color in hopes of blending in.”

“Are you feeling all right?” As she came nearer, he noticed she looked a bit pale and wan. Even…a little green. “What’s the matter?”

“Nerves. My stomach isn’t doing well this morning. I was sick just after I woke up.”

“Shall we stay home?”

“And give the king cause to come ‘detain’ me a second time? No, I’m sure I’ll perk up as the day progresses. I want to see everyone and be there for Felicity and Carlo’s royal appearance. They’re certain to look very grand.”

He embraced her, caressing her cool cheeks. She wore little jewelry, and her glorious ebony locks had been tamed into a sedate bun.

“You’re magnificent, darling, even when you’re trying to hide your charm and beauty.” He lowered his voice. “I’m sorry if last night’s trespasses contributed to today’s tiredness. I couldn’t control myself.”

A blush bloomed on her cheeks. “If you were to control yourself, I’d have to wonder what was wrong with you. It’s enough that one of us is under the weather.”

He slid a look down at her décolletage, thinking he must let her rest tonight, then noticed her perfectly formed breasts looked a bit more pillowy than normal. Was it the plainer gown that made them look larger, or…? He realized with a start that her courses had not interrupted their lovemaking in many weeks.

“Elizabeth. Darling. This way you are feeling… Could you be with child?”

She went still, putting a hand upon her middle, then met his questioning gaze. “Could I be?”

“Considering the frequency of our…intimate activities…I would say yes. I’ve heard morning illness is a common symptom.”

“Oh my goodness. With child?” After a moment of clutching her belly, her shock turned to a wondering smile. “Oh, August. Perhaps we shall have a baby. I wonder if it will be a girl or a boy? Oh.” She bit her lip in consternation. “I hope he or she comes out normal. Not strange like me.”

“If you talk like that, I will spank you. Yes, even in your condition.” He kissed her frown away. “We are past such thoughts, remember? You’re perfect as you are, and any children we have shall be perfect, especially if they take after you.”

“We don’t know if I’m having a baby at all.” She laid her hands over her waistline again. “We shouldn’t tell anyone until we consult a midwife.”

He put a hand atop hers, grinning. “If you stand about like that, clutching your middle, everyone will guess.”

“They’ll just think I’ve given myself a stomachache with too many sweet treats.” She took on a dreamy expression. “Mmm, I hope there will be cream puffs at this party. The king adores French pastries.”

“Should we still attend?” Now that he suspected his wife was pregnant with their first child, he felt a fierce protective instinct to keep her safely hidden away. “Are you well enough? Are you sure?”

“I’m sure, darling. I already feel better.” She brushed a speck of dust from his black coat’s lapel and smoothed his silk cravat. “And the great Earl of Augustine must appear at such a distinguished function, or he will be missed.”

“The great Earl of Augustine shall make us even later if you regard me in that flirtatious manner.”

“I only find you extremely handsome.”

“And extremely late, at this point.” He took her hand and tucked it over his arm. “Let’s head to Buckingham, if we’re going to go. We’ll see if we can find you those cream puffs you crave.”

*

When they arrived at the palace’s cavernous new drawing rooms, Elizabeth began to wonder if she was not too under-dressed, to the point she would stick out for her plainness. Hundreds of guests crowded the adjoining chambers, and all of them were outfitted to extremes of ornate, ostentatious wealth.

“You look fine,” said August, patting her hand.

“Are you reading my mind now?”

“Wouldn’t that be a turn in circumstances?” he joked. “But no. It’s only that I’ve gotten good at deciphering your expressions. Smile, darling. There are my parents. And your parents!”

In fact, all the Oxfordshire families were set up in a corner along with Felicity and her family, helping themselves to the trays of canapes and fruit drinks the liveried footmen passed around.

The smell of Camembert cheese and pickled quail eggs had Elizabeth’s stomach turning over anew. She placed a gloved finger beneath her nose until the offending trays moved on.

“There’s our illustrious daughter-in-law,” said August’s father, Lord Barrymore. “Brave enough to come here again?”

They all remembered the circumstances of her previous visit and teased her often about becoming the “King’s special friend.”

“You see I am attempting to blend into the woodwork,” she said, accepting a hug from August’s mama.

“You’re too beautiful for that,” Lady Barrymore said, “and too well-regarded besides. Though if your gold gown was just a bit brighter, it would indeed match the gilt woodwork.”

“You must peek into the ballroom,” said her mama. “If you wish to see gold, you shall find it.” She took a closer look at her daughter, a gleam of curiosity entering her gaze. “Why, Lisbet, there is something different about you.”

And Elizabeth saw at once that her mother knew . She tried to hide her smile, but her mama noticed everything, and gave her hand a squeeze.

“Are you happy, darling?”

“Supremely happy, Mama. August as well. But you mustn’t tell anyone,” she whispered. “It is not certain yet.”

“I won’t tell anyone, but I am certain, and it’s not just your color, or that interesting dress.”

“Interesting?” she protested.

“I can mostly tell by the way your husband hovers over you, to prevent anything happening.”

“Guilty,” said August. “I can’t help myself.”

“Your father did the same to me,” the duchess said, laughing. “Well, we shall await a better time to spread the news. Today is the king’s day to revel in his glory.”

“A day to show off all the money he’s spent,” said Elizabeth’s papa under his breath. “Congratulations, little one. And you, too.” He shook August’s hand. “I recognize a promise kept.”

“What promise?” Elizabeth looked between them.

“A promise to make you happy,” said her papa. “Though I never had doubts.” He looked over their shoulders. “The king lumbers in this direction, if you should wish to greet friends elsewhere. I believe Rosalind and Marlow are in the next room.”

They thanked her father and set off on a circuitous route to avoid their royal host, winding along the outer edges of the room until they found an adjoining stateroom containing a bit less of a crush.

“Here they are,” said Townsend, waving them down. “You missed the king.” He smirked at Elizabeth. “Your friend , I mean. He was just here.”

“That’s why we’re here now,” she said. “I’m determined to let his other subjects dominate his attention this day.”

“Very kind of you,” said his wife, Jane.

Wescott grinned. “He may still find you, sis. I’d be on guard.”

“I’m definitely on guard,” she said.

“From what?” Marlow came to join his friends’ conversation. “From your husband’s overbearing affections? I understand.”

Rosalind gave him a playful swat. “Of course you understand. You’re the worst of all.”

“What do you expect of a newlywed?” he said, giving her a furtive kiss.

“We’ve been married three years!”

“One might argue three years is somewhat ‘newly’ wed, when one has been married nearly four years,” said Townsend.

“Or five,” said Wescott.

“They will always stand up for one another, won’t they?” said Ophelia, laughing.

“We have a long history together,” said August. “We’ve always had one another’s backs.”

“When you were not jumping on one another’s backs, and thrashing each other, as you did the entire time you were boys,” said Rosalind.

“We haven’t fought in ages,” said Townsend.

Marlow laughed. “Not since Wescott learned to duel with swords.”

“All men used to duel with swords.” Wescott struck a dramatic duelist’s pose. “Far more artful than waving a pistol around.”

“Shall we return to the days of swords and chivalry?” asked Townsend.

August stood straighter, dusting his lapels. “Some men never left those days.” He winked at Elizabeth. “I’ve been known to rescue a damsel in distress.”

“Oho, the hero,” said Wescott.

“My dread lord,” intoned Marlow, bowing to his friend.

“Now, that rescued damsel is in love,” Elizabeth said, beaming at her husband. “And no sword play required.”

The gentlemen burst into guffaws, though Elizabeth didn’t understand why.

“We shall let the boys be boys,” said Rosalind, rolling her eyes. “Come, ladies, let us visit the refreshments.”

The four of them left their husbands to circulate about the room, greeting familiar faces they’d seen at other society events. Soon afterward, Rosalind pulled her aside, over behind a banquet table laden with bright orange punch and more of the offending Camembert canapes.

“Lisbet! Why didn’t you tell me? I’m your best friend. You ought to have told me first.”

“Told you what?”

Rosalind lowered her voice to a whisper. “That you’re going to have a baby.”

Elizabeth gasped. “We were not going to tell anyone, and now both you and Mama have guessed.”

Rosalind stifled an excited squeal. “I knew it.”

“You saw me three days ago, at the Watlings’ ball, and you didn’t know it then.”

“ You didn’t know it then, did you? But now you have this glow, this sort of energy, as if you have a secret. That happens when you’re in a ‘delicate condition.’”

“Goodness.” Elizabeth finally managed a smile. “We are not sure yet, Ros.” She glanced at the cheese tarts. “Though I have gained a sensitivity to certain smells.”

“Shall we move a bit away?”

“Yes.” Elizabeth nodded hard. “Please.”

They left the refreshment area and made another circuit around the room, their heads inclined together.

“I’m so happy for you,” Rosalind whispered. “And I wasn’t going to say anything either, but…under the circumstances…” Her whisper pitched up in quiet excitement. “I believe I may be expecting again, too. Wouldn’t it be fun to have children the same age? And they would be true cousins, since our husbands are cousins.”

“Oh, Rosalind, are you sure?”

“Pretty sure, though I haven’t told Marlow yet.”

“Why not?”

Rosalind giggled. “You’ll understand why very soon. Husbands treat you far too gently when you’re expecting. Especially in matters of…you know…”

“Ohhh.” Elizabeth wrinkled her nose. “Really?”

“Really. And I would like a few more weeks of fun before he starts to handle me with kid gloves. They believe we are far more delicate than we are.”

Elizabeth gave a soft laugh. “August doesn’t treat me with much delicacy during our private times.”

“Nor Marlow. But in our condition…” She sighed. “They wish to protect us. Fortunately, their urges come roaring back after the baby’s born, with even more intensity.”

Elizabeth tried to imagine August more intense than he had been of late, and decided it was impossible, in a very nice way. As they strolled about, she had to remember not to lay her hand atop her waistline, not to give her small secret away.

But the more she pondered it, the more she felt sure a life was growing inside her, a baby made of her and August together. How wonderful and awe-inspiring! With so much family around them, they’d have plenty of help learning to be good parents. Townsend and Jane had brought their older children to enjoy the festivities, as had her brother Wescott and his wife Ophelia. Rosalind and Marlow had two toddlers up in the nursery. Indeed, the young ones would grow up playmates, just as they had all done years ago.

Now, from that group of playmates, she and August were married, and Marlow and Rosalind as well.

“Are you quite all right?” asked Rosalind.

Elizabeth realized her eyes were filling with happy tears. “I’m fine. Just…emotional.”

“You are so, so definitely having a baby.” Her friend laughed. “Let’s go find our husbands and seek out some courtyard where we might find fresh air. It’s stifling in here.”

They reunited with the men, all of whom seemed relieved to extricate themselves from the press of the crowded stateroom. They went out to the palace courtyard for a while, but found it too busy with the constant arrival and departure of the king’s guests. Back inside, Marlow and Wescott struck up a conversation with a man who turned out to be the architect of the new palace expansions. He spoke at length about the changes, guiding their group here and there.

“Perhaps I ought to take you home,” said August. “You will grow tired.”

“I’m quite all right.” After her conversation with Rosalind, Elizabeth dreaded to be seen as too “delicate.” “We haven’t even visited with Carlo or Felicity yet.” She noted with satisfaction that she no longer felt any jealousy or sadness at the thought of Felicity. “I wonder where they are. I saw them in the main room earlier.”

She and August walked about, passing their parents again and exchanging greetings with some of their acquaintances. They saw the king seated across the room and turned as one to avoid his presence, nearly colliding with a bevy of royal guards. In fact, the guards suddenly seemed to be everywhere, reminding Elizabeth of her previous royal adventure.

“Perhaps we ought to go home after all,” she told August.

But as she spoke, Felicity appeared at her side, flanked by her husband.

“Hello, Felicity. Prince Carlo.” She curtsied to the royal couple. “I was just thinking I might have missed you…”

Her words faded as she noted Felicity’s panicked expression. The couple’s agitation was palpable.

“Elizabeth, darling. I must have a word with you,” said Felicity, pulling her aside.

“What is it?”

The guests about them turned to listen. Guards hovered. Even the king heaved his bulk from his chair.

“My youngest boy. My baby Antonino. He’s missing and we can’t find him. I don’t know what to do.”

“Oh, dear.” She clasped Felicity’s trembling hands. “Why, he’s barely three years old. He cannot have gone far.”

“But the guards are searching everywhere, and he hasn’t been found.”

“Oh, Felicity.”

“How long has he been gone?” asked August.

“Nearly an hour now. I thought he was with his sister, getting some sweets. I ought to have put him in the nursery, but he wished to be part of the fun—”

A sob escaped her. Carlo embraced his wife, murmuring calming words.

“What if he’s been kidnapped?” she cried.

“Kidnapped?” The king arrived, blustering. “Kidnapped from my court? If it’s true, the villain shall hang.” He shouted at his guards. “You knaves! Find the boy, why don’t you?”

His temper wasn’t helping matters, nor the guards running about in their agitated state.

“I’m so sorry to ask, Elizabeth, but I don’t know w-who else would be able to help.” Felicity looked about, knowing the entire room watched them. Her mother’s desperation won out. “Can you please help me? Help me find Antonino with your special senses, your gifts?” She began to weep, clutching her hands again. “Darling, I am beside myself.”

“This young woman is not able to help you,” the king interrupted, loudly enough for the whole room to hear. “By my reckoning, Lady Augustine has no extraordinary powers of perception. None at all.”

“It’s all right, Your Majesty,” she whispered to the monarch. “I shall find the child if you will only look after your anxious guests.”

“But your exhaustion,” he said, his deep jowls trembling with concern. “If you must use your powers…”

“I will rest afterward. Now, I need a place away, a silent place where I can think.”

“Come this way,” said one of the guards.

The four of them, August, Elizabeth, Felicity, and Carlo departed the crowded parlor. Townsend and Jane gathered up the other children to remain with their cousins, promising their brother would be found.

“We need a quiet room so she can concentrate,” August demanded of the guard.

“No,” said Elizabeth. “We need the nursery.”

“They’ve already checked the nursery,” said Felicity. “Checked it high and low, and every room around it.”

“There is another nursery, then.” The vision came to Elizabeth clear as day, of Antonino playing in a quiet nursery. She turned to the guard. “Princess Charlotte’s rooms, where she stayed with her husband before she left this world. Where are they?”

“She was not often in residence, my lady.”

“But when she was!”

“Princess Charlotte and Prince Leopold kept rooms in the old part of the house,” said the man, flushing at her sharp tone. “Some way off for a little child to wander.”

“Show me.” Elizabeth felt a pull, like a hand beckoning her. Like wind pushing behind her. “Please, show me the way.”