“Lecher!” she accused with a grin.
“Lecher, am I? I’ll show you what a lecher I am.”
With a laughing squeal, she scrambled up and swung a leg over the side of the tub in her haste to flee, allowing him another delectable view. Her breasts were set wondrously abounce as she danced backward, away from the tub. His devious chuckle sounded menacing as he swung a leg over the side and began to stalk her. Though she watched him carefully to determine which way he would go, he feinted to the left and then caught her as she lunged toward the right. Sweeping her up in his arms, he growled as he made a pretense of devouring her throat.
“Colton, behave yourself,” she scolded, her voice a strange mixture of giggles, feigned reproaches, and playful shrieks thrown in for good measure. “The servants will hear us.”
“They shouldn’t be listening at the master’s door, madam. I’ll have to talk to them about that.”
Changing her tactics to pliant submissiveness, Adriana slipped her arms around his neck and didn’t mind at all that he lifted her upward to languidly devour a soft nipple. Trembling at the pleasure he created with her, she asked huskily, “Have I told you recently, my darling, how much I adore you?”
“I seem to recall you saying something like that when you were slipping off to sleep last night, and then the night before, and the night before that,” he whispered softly, raising his head to find her parting lips approaching his. “I don’t care how many times you say it, I never grow tired of hearing it.”
“I never thought it possible, but our union has brought me joy beyond measure. I can only hope and pray that nothing happens to disturb the blissful haven we have found together.”
The Wyndhams’ homecoming to Randwulf Manor was first heralded by the gardener, who espied his lordship’s new landau coming smartly down the lane from some distance off. The aging man scrambled up from his knees near a flowerbed in which he had been directing several of his newest helpers in the planting of flowers. Scampering hurriedly up the stone steps, he whisked open the front door of the manse and gave his old friend happy tidings of the couple’s imminent return. With a buoyant grin Harrison conveyed the news promptly to his mistress, who by then was having her tea in the drawing room, where, after reveling the past three or so months in the fact that Colton was now married and deeply in love with the very one his father had chosen for him, she had been content merely to relax and gaze lovingly at the portrait above the mantel and recall the former days of her own marriage.
No one thought of informing Alice Cobble of the couple’s return. Nevertheless, her ears were well attuned to the excited dither and chatter of servants. Thus, with the young child draped facedown over her forearm, she made a point of sauntering into the main hall just as the master laughingly swept his bride past the vestibule.
Adriana’s jubilation promptly ceased in the wide corridor beyond the archways as she caught sight of the slovenly garbed woman. The frazzled hag held the tiny girl as carelessly as she would a bag of grain. Although the baby’s gown was finely made and edged with costly lace, it was badly wrinkled and soiled. For barely a moment, Alice jostled her burden upright, allowing Adriana to see the girl’s huge, haunted blue eyes, chapped cheeks, and runny nose. The realization of the baby’s less-than-sublime condition went through the younger woman like a cold shiver. Feeling suddenly sick to her stomach, she clasped a trembling hand over her mouth. A fretful moan escaped her lips as she squeezed her eyes tightly shut and made a desperate attempt to stem her queasiness.
Unable to ignore his wife’s distress, Colton bent near solicitously, but when she shuddered convulsively after casting another distressed glance beyond him, he looked around in curiosity to see what had provoked this reaction from her and mentally cursed when he espied Alice Cobble, not only present against his wishes, but in the same slovenly condition she had been in when he had first brought her from London. Furthermore, his daughter looked very much like a tiny, pitiful waif.
Sharply incensed, he faced Harrison forthwith with a blunt question. “Why is that woman still here in that condition? And the child . . . why does she look like that?”
The steward spoke in a low murmur, securing their confidentiality. “My lord, we cannot find a wet nurse anywhere in the area. We’ve looked high and low, and with each passing day, the woman becomes more impossible, as if she knows we want her gone and yet are unable to send her on her way because of the child. Your mother doesn’t dare complain about the baby’s appearance or state of health, for she is immediately beset with threats of Alice’s departure. If not for the child, her ladyship would have seen the woman dismissed months ago, especially since that had been your behest, my lord.”
“Get her out of my sight,” Colton growled through gritted teeth. “Among her many offenses, she happens to be upsetting my wife.”
Alice Cobble strode forward boldly, displaying black, rotting teeth in a taunting grin, as if it weren’t already apparent that she had been reveling in the power she held over the household. “Aftahnoon, yur lor’ship,” she crowed and then cackled gleefully, causing the baby to whimper at the ear-piercing sound. “We thought yu’d ne’er return from cavortin’ ’bout the countryside wit’ yur new missus. Been more’n three months since yu left ’ere fer parts unknown.” Her eyes shifted to Adriana, and her seemingly unruly lips twisted sneeringly as she inclined her head ever so slightly. “Yur liedyship.”
“Go back to the nursery, woman,” Harrison bade sharply, gesturing in the general direction of the stairs as he stalked toward her. “Your presence is not required down here. Now leave us.”
“Why, I thought ‘is lor’ship ‘ould be wantin’ ta see ‘is li’l chit ‘pon his return. Seems ta me a man what cares fo’ ‘is offspring ‘ould be anxious ta visit wit’ ‘is brood first off aftah bein’ ‘way so long. Gor’, yu’ve been gone so long the chit’s nigh grown.”
The steward caught her plump elbow and, in spite of the fact that she outweighed him by a goodly margin, turned the termagant skillfully toward the stairs. “Away with you, I said!”
Alice leaned back to peer over her shoulder at the marquess. “Will yu be comin’ up later ta sees yur chit, milord? She’s a mite scrawny, ‘at she be, but jes’ the same, real pretty ta me way o’ thinkin’. Mayhap ’er liedyship’ll be wantin’ ta come up wit’ ye.”
“Cease your prattling, woman!” Harrison insisted angrily as he sought to give her a sharp shake. “Or so help me, I shall stuff a rag in your mouth!”
Alice squawked. “Yu an’ ‘oo else, yu li’l bitty crow? I’ve wrestled be’er men ‘an yu ta a stan’still’ in ale ‘ouses, I ‘ave, an’ if’n yu don’t gits yur bloomin’ ‘ands off’n me right away, I’ll be gnawin’ on ’em wit’ me teeth.” As if to strengthen her threat, she bared her blackened fangs, causing Harrison to stumble back in sharp aversion for fear of being wounded by those foul shards.
Philana fought a moment of queasiness herself before the wet nurse finally took her leave. The elder’s distress was readily apparent in her blue eyes as she looked toward her daughter-in-law in helpless appeal. “Forgive us, dear child. We’ve not been able to control that woman since she came here. I’m sure she knows we’re unable to find a replacement for her and delights in playing havoc with everyone in this house. I shan’t expect that you’ll be able to tolerate her any better than we have done. ‘Twould definitely require someone with more stamina than any of us have thus far been able to gather.”
In spite of the lingering nausea that still assailed her, Adriana crossed the hall with opening arms and managed a courageous smile as she embraced the elegant woman. “We can’t allow Alice to disrupt our lives, Mama Philana, as much as she may delight in doing so. We shall carry out our search for a wet nurse posthaste, even if we must go to London.”
“Maud is here, dear,” Philana informed her, hoping to banish Alice from their thoughts, if only for a few, peaceful moments. “She arrived in the hired livery perhaps an hour ago and said you w
ere on your way. ‘Twould seem her driver made better time than yours did.”
“Colton and I stopped at an inn to have a bite to eat. I was enormously hungry, so much so your son cautioned me against getting fat.” She made an attempt to laugh in spite of the fact that, after seeing Alice, she wasn’t at all certain she’d be able to keep what she had eaten in her stomach.
Philana laughed softly, making every attempt to present a cheeriness she didn’t necessarily feel in her spirit after their confrontation with Alice. “Bentley was rather put out that Colton had left him behind to tend to my traveling needs, few as they were, and chose to take Jason from our London house for your lengthy excursion. Maud, however, seemed quite pleased that she had been allowed to attend you throughout your absence from home. She’s upstairs now in the master’s chambers, unpacking your satchels and trunks.”
Adriana laid a gentle hand upon the elder’s forearm, deciding it was far better to be truthful. “Right now, I’m not feeling at all well, Mama Philana, and I’d like to rest for a while.”
“That is completely understandable, child. Alice would cause anyone to suffer more than they should. I’ve found that out for myself on more occasions than I care to count, and have often retired to my bed thoroughly spent and with a terrible headache throbbing in my temples.”
Adriana sought to give the elder hope. “I shall look in on the child when I’m feeling better. In the meantime, I suggest you send a rider with a note explaining our needs to my aunt in Bath. I have no doubt Aunt Tilly will be able to find us a wet nurse. She seems to know everybody from Bath to London and has many faithful friends who’ll help scour the countryside in an effort to help us.”
“In that case, I shall send Alistair on that mission posthaste.” The corners of Philana’s lips twitched in amusement. “He’s eager to find any excuse to visit Tilly.”
Managing a smile for the woman, Adriana squeezed her thin hand. “Let’s hope Alice will be gone from here ere the week is out, if not sooner.”
Philana didn’t dare pray for such a miracle. Turning the other cheek was something she could likely do, but tolerating that shrew was another thing entirely. “As much as I desire to see the vulgar woman gone, dear, I can’t imagine she’ll leave here without causing some dreadful disturbance. She’s such a rude woman and does everything she possibly can to test our tempers and our patience. Indeed, she seems to revel in the fact that she distresses the lot of us.”
“We’ll put an end to that posthaste,” Adriana declared and was about to turn away when she realized she hadn’t heard anyone call the baby by name. Facing her mother-in-law again in some curiosity, she inquired, “What do you call the child?”
“I fear, dear, she has no name as yet,” Philana admitted rather sadly. “I’ve been waiting for Colton to name her, but of course, he has had other things on his mind and probably hasn’t thought about doing so. ‘Twould be presumptuous of a grandmother to take on that responsibility. Thus far, we’ve just been calling her Baby Girl.”
“I’ll ask Colton about naming her tonight. She should be christened fairly soon, and will need a name for that event.”
“I’ve always liked the name Genevieve myself. Had I been fortunate to have another daughter, she would’ve been christened Genevieve Ariella.”
Adriana leaned near to kiss the elder’s cheek. “ ‘Tis a beautiful name, Mama Philana. I shall mention it to Colton later.”
Happy tears brightened the blue eyes as the older woman searched the beautiful visage. “Thank you, dear child, for marrying my son. He would never have been happy without you. Nor would the rest of us.”
Adriana managed a heartfelt grin. “If you’re taking count, Mama Philana, you should include me in that number, for I love your son more than words can fully define. I think I’ve always loved him.”
“No doubt, dear. You always seemed to enjoy tagging at his heels when you were younger. Now he seems to enjoy tagging at yours.”
One look at the pale, beautiful visage of her young mistress sent Maud scurrying to find a basin of cool water and a cloth to wash her face, which she then proceeded to press upon her brow. “Lie down an’ rest yurself, m’liedy. Yu look as ill as death warmed over.”
“Funny thing, that’s exactly how I feel.” Adriana gulped, holding the cool cloth clasped to her brow as she collapsed back upon the bed.
“Come now,” the servant urged, “lift yurself an’ let me help yu off wit’ yur clothes. Yu’ve been in ’em all day, an’ ‘tis sure yu’ll be more comfortable wit’out ’em.”
Adriana groaned much like a petulant child as she yielded to the woman’s command and held her arms aloft. “Leave me my shift,” she bade listlessly. “I may have to heave up my stomach, and I don’t want to have to scurry through these chambers stark naked while I search for a basin.”
Straightening at her statement, Maud peered at her curiously. “What ails yu, mum? Did the long ride from London wear on yu?”
A negative shake of the dark head gave mute answer, but when slender fingers suddenly came up and pressed to the whitened lips in an effort to halt an outward flow, the maid’s brow quirked in wonder.
“I don’t want ta alarm yu none, mum, but could it be that yu’re wit’ child?”
Adriana promptly sat down again, fearing her legs would give way underneath her as the shock of that possibility settled down on her. She stared across the room as if stunned. “ ‘Tis true I didn’t come at my normal times, but I thought it was merely due to the excitement of being with Colton on our honeymoon.”
“How long have yu been feelin’ this way?”
“Actually, the nausea only came upon me today, when I saw that creature . . . Alice . . . holding that pitiful little girl. Poor little thing, my heart went out to her. She seemed . . . so . . . so . . . desperately miserable. . . .”
“Well, yu know how yu’ve always been ’bout ’elpless critters an’ li’l orphans, mum. ‘Twouldn’t be at all surprisin’ if that’s all what made yu sick.” She nodded, as if settling her mind resolutely upon that possibility. “That’s all it probably was, nothin’ more.”
“Yes, I suppose you’re right,” Adriana replied. “Otherwise, missing my flux right off as I did, I must consider that I got with child the first week of our marriage.”
“Was ‘at the only one yu missed, m’liedy?”
Adriana stared at her as the dawning came. “I haven’t had one since his lordship and I have been married.
“ ’E’s a bold one, m’liedy, that he is.”
“Say nothing of this to anyone, especially to the older servants. They’re enormously loyal to Philana and will hasten to tell her, and I’d rather not have that happen before I have a chance to talk with Colton. If it’s just the excitement of being with him that has caused me to miss my regular times, I don’t want Philana getting her hopes up only to see them dashed. Neither do I want everybody sizing me up until I find a convenient time to tell his lordship. That opportunity might not come for several days yet, considering how upset we all are over Alice’s presence in the house. ‘Twill be better to make such an announcement after she’s gone.”
Maud chortled. “Yu can expect the servants ’ere ta be lookin’ yu o’er anyway, mum, seein’s as how yu’ll be the only one what’ll be bearin’ offspring wit’ the Wyndham name. ’Ey cannot ’elp but ‘ope ta see signs o’ yu carryin’ the master’s babe.”
Adriana smiled as she laid a hand upon her stomach. “I think we’re all hoping that will come to pass fairly soon, Maud.”
The tinkling chimes of the mantel clock dragged Adriana up from the depths of sleep. Lying on her side within the curve of Colton’s long body, she listened to the delicate notes until finally the twelfth heralded in the hour of midnight. When silence once more came back to reign, she cuddled more closely against her husband, kissing the sheltering arm under which she lay. A smile curved her soft lips as her hand moved below her waist. As was Colton’s preference, she was naked, as was he, an
d though her fingers slowly plied the silky smoothness of her stomach, she could detect no slightest evidence of a life growing within her womb. In spite of cautioning Maud against indicating such a possibility to anyone, she had nevertheless been tempted to tell Colton, but had decided to wait after all, considering his lingering irritation over Alice. Her monthly cycles had always come at regular intervals, and except for her brief nausea when Colton had told her that he had married another, she hadn’t been sick to her stomach in some years, at least not since she was ten and four and had run a high fever and been confined to bed. That illness had passed ere the week had gone, and she had been in good health ever since.
Adriana had no doubt that Philana would be thrilled at the prospect of another grandchild on its way, but would Colton? He enjoyed their intimacy to such an extent that she had cause to wonder. Would he be repulsed by her rounding belly or perhaps the awkwardness that would eventually hinder their lovemaking? Or would he be just as thrilled as she to imagine the marvel their love had created?
Closing her eyes, Adriana heaved a contented sigh and was just drifting off to sleep again when an indistinct sound prompted her to fling them wide again. Wondering what she had heard, she turned her head on the pillow to listen more intently. Was it the wailing of the wind? Or, more disturbingly, the bawling of a baby from some distant area of the manse?
Adriana strained to catch the sound more distinctly and, as the seconds flew past, became more convinced that that was indeed what she was now hearing, a baby’s harsh crying. There was only one child in the house, and from that little one’s haunted expression, Adriana could only believe the little cherub was in desperate need of loving attention.
Taking care not to awaken her husband, she slipped from his side, donned her nightgown and dressing robe, and then pushed her slender feet into satin slippers. In the hall outside the master’s chambers, she paused to listen in an effort to determine from whence the wailing came. It was definitely some distance away, but where exactly?