Chapter 21

Ambrose

Ambrose made good time, reaching Oxford just before eleven o'clock. As was his wont, he stopped first at the bank to divest himself of the large sack of coins secured in his leather bag. Once that important task was complete, he visited several shops on the High Street, ordering necessary supplies for Stanton Hall. It was nearly one o'clock when he reached the house on St Michael's Street.

"Good day, Briggs," he greeted the butler with a smile. "How do you do today?"

"Can't complain, sir, can't complain," replied the old retainer.

Taking his case up with him, Ambrose went to his room where he made use of the commode and washed quickly, then returned down the stairs. He decided to go next door via the back. As he let himself into Lexie's house, he spied a passing footman and called out, "Stibbs, where is Mrs Forbes?"

"In her private parlour, sir."

Ambrose thanked him and made his way eagerly to the room in question. He knocked briefly, then went in. He found Lexie sitting in her favourite armchair, staring pensively at the fire in the hearth. She looked pale and worried, and immediately, Ambrose sensed that something was wrong. He went to her quickly, enfolding her into his arms. "Darling," he murmured. "What is it?"

"Ambrose," she said softly, then again, "Ambrose."

"Yes, darling. Speak to me."

She levelled her expressive brown eyes at him. "I am with child," she said simply.

He took a sharp breath in. With child. They were going to have a child. His first reaction was panic. This could mean trouble for Lexie, and by extension, for him. How would William take the news? And Daniel? On its heels came another, surprising reaction. It was joy. He was to become a father. He endeavoured to tamp down his excitement and to focus on the problem at hand. With a calm he did not entirely feel, he said, "We always knew this was a possibility. It is surprising, in fact, that it has not happened before."

"Yes, I know," she said on a breath.

"We spoke of this eventuality. Have you written to William?"

She nodded. "I have. He is due to arrive this afternoon."

"Does he know why you have summoned him?" queried Ambrose.

"No, but he will soon. I am sure he must suspect." Lexie's bottom lip trembled. "Now the time has come, I am fearful, Ambrose."

He took her hand and kissed it. "I will be there with you, darling. You will not face him alone."

She took a steadying breath, trying to smile. It broke his heart. He pulled her into his embrace and held her tight. "We are going to have a child of our own," he said. "A beautiful girl or boy. We are blessed, Lexie. Truly we are."

"Yes," she said, and held on to him. After a while, she recovered enough to pull back and ask, "Have you eaten luncheon?"

"No," he replied, "but I am too worried to eat."

"Then sit here and hold me," she pleaded.

He settled himself on the settee and pulled her against him, leaning his chin on the top of her head. "Where is Edwin?" he now asked.

"I thought it best to send him to Mother and Father," she murmured.

"That was well thought, though I shall miss seeing him."

"He will be back in the morning," Lexie reassured him.

They stayed together in the parlour, whispering words of encouragement and taking only some warm tea for sustenance. It was around another hour later that the bell rang. They heard Stibbs go to answer the door, then the sound of a male voice. They both sat up straight and waited. A moment later, there came a knock, and then Stibbs announced, "Mr Forbes is here, madam," before stepping aside to let William in.

Both Lexie and Ambrose stood as William strode in confidently. He paused on seeing Ambrose, then snorted, "I should have known you would be here, Ambrose." He turned then to his wife and bowed. "Lexie, good day. As you see, I am come and would appreciate you tell me straight up what this is about."

Lexie turned anxious eyes to the door. Understanding her meaning, Ambrose strode quickly there, opening and shutting it to make sure nobody was within earshot. He nodded encouragingly at her. Gathering her courage, she addressed her estranged husband, "I am with child, William."

He nodded, looking anything but surprised. His eyes landed on Ambrose once more. "I take it you are the father?"

"Yes," replied Ambrose and Lexie at the same time.

There was a pause. "And what is it you wish me to do?" enquired William. "Pass off the bastard as my own?"

Ambrose clenched his fists but forced himself to remain silent. Lexie spoke with difficulty. "If you could stay overnight, then it would quiet the gossip about the origins of this child. And yes, William, he or she must take your name. You know he must, or be an outcast from society for ever."

Her husband regarded her coldly. "Very well," he said at last. "I have no wish to invite unwelcome gossip where you are concerned. I will do as you say, and you can then plausibly claim the child as mine. However, I am not going to pay for your by-blows, Ambrose. Lexie will receive the same funds as before, not a penny more."

"That is quite alright," said Ambrose quickly. "I will take care of any additional expenses."

"And do not expect this child to inherit a penny from me." William stood, the matter dealt with. "Have dinner ready within the hour, Lexie," he said crisply. "I am tired and hungry."

"Yes, of course," she murmured. She hurried out of the room to speak to the servants, leaving Ambrose alone with her husband.

The latter turned to him with a sneer. "So, how long have you been fucking my wife?" he demanded.

Ambrose rose to his full height, responding in a chilling tone, "Considering you have fucked your way through London society, William, I do not think you are in any position to ask such a question. Good day to you." He swept out of the room and went to find Lexie. She was busy instructing a housemaid in the proper way to lay out the dinner for the master of the house. She looked up distractedly at Ambrose and said, "You should go now."

"Will you be safe with William on your own?" worried Ambrose. "I do not like to leave you so."

"I do not think he will harm me, especially with you being nearby," she said with a frown. "But it is best you should go now. I shall see you in the morning."

Reluctantly, he did as he was bid and returned to the Stanton house, knowing he could not set foot next door again until William had left. He spent the evening alone, alternating between worry and excitement. He was going to be a father. He would never be able to acknowledge that child publicly, but he would know, and so would Lexie, that it was his. He would love this child and nurture him or her to the best of his power. Already, he had put away funds for this possible eventuality. Whatever happened, this child's future would be secure. He would make sure of it.

He went to bed early that evening, though sleep was elusive. His mind was filled with thoughts of this child. He thought of Daniel too, in all probability having a fine time in London in the company of Mr Templeton and his cronies. Perhaps Daniel had found himself some lightskirt to dally with, or worse even, a man to ravish. Ambrose's fingers dug into the coverlet, jealousy shooting through his body. He had no right to be jealous, especially with the knowledge that he had impregnated Lexie. Ambrose had sent Daniel on his merry way, making it clear that there could never be anything more than friendship between them. How could he then blame him for finding joy in the arms of someone else?

Rationally, he could reason it all, but instinctively, he felt rage at the thought of Daniel taking a lover. He tried to calm his turbulent thoughts. He had better get used to this. This would be the first of many times, he was sure, that Daniel would visit the great metropolis, and in all likelihood engage in sexual trysts of one sort or another—for such was the corrupting influence of London. Ambrose could only wish that these sexual exploits were confined to the great city and never to Stanton Hall. He did not think he could bear it otherwise. It would be a case of out of sight, out of mind, he told himself. He would manage to live with the jealousy that way.

Next morning, he waited for William's carriage to leave before hurrying over to the house next door. He found Lexie sitting listlessly at the breakfast table. He went and sat beside her. "How did it go?" he asked.

"As well as could be expected," she replied. "It was not a happy affair, dinner last night, but finally it came to an end. We retired to bed at the same time, and William made a show of entering my bedchamber. He did not stay long, though. He slipped back into his own room a short time later, and then first thing this morning, he left for London." She let out a long breath. "I think it will work," she said hopefully.

He pressed her hand. "I believe it will."

"William has promised to return for the christening of the child. Other than that, he made it clear that he has no wish to set eyes on me or Edwin." Her voice wobbled on that last word. Eyes sparkling with unshed tears, she went on, "I can bear that for me, but poor Edwin. It is hard for him to know that his own father cares so little for him."

"It is hard for him," agreed Ambrose, "and horribly unfair that William has not shown any affection for his own son. I want you to know, Lexie, that I love that boy like my own."

"I know you do," she said, kissing his hand. "And at heart, I think he knows it too."

Ambrose lingered another day and night in Oxford. Daniel was in London and would not be there to welcome him home, so there was little need to return too soon. That night, he made gentle love to Lexie and held her close, holding a whispered conversation late until dawn about this new life that was growing in her womb. He left her then, urging her to write to him daily and keep him informed of everything that occurred. Then, he climbed aboard the carriage and began the journey back to Stanton Hall.