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The hall in Holcombe was alive with action it hadn’t seen in years. There were trunks stacked all along the front entry overflowing with fabrics and exotic apparel, as well as an easel and two burlap bags of painting supplies. and beyond that the servants were running in and out from the carriage newly stopped in the drive to the various rooms in the house unloading all the things Gerard and Nora had brought back with them from their travels. Nora sat down, feeling suddenly tired, and watched for a moment or two on the edge of all the excitement while Gerard directed the melee.
“The larger landscape ought to go straight to the parlour, and if you can, have two of the footmen hang it in the place of that old thing my mother hates so much.” He waved by two maids carrying a wrapped painting Nora had completed during their trip to Italy. The two had been on a handful of travels already, and planned to complete more, but their recent travels to Italy had been ended so that they might return home and begin preparing Diana for her first London season. The season was still six months away, and yet Nora knew that her mother-in-law was particularly nervous about the affair and Nora wished to be there to offer her support and a level of normalcy before everything picked up again to a sickening pace.
“We don’t have to hang that in the parlour,” she interjected to Gerard, blushing at the thought. “It is hardly my best work, and I don’t know that your mother would appreciate a landscape of such simplicity hanging in her primary sitting room.”
“Nonsense,” the Dowager Lady Colbourne said, coming around the corner at that moment and peeling back the paper on the passing painting without hesitation or prologue. Nora winced at the abruptness of her motion, but the older woman merely looked at the painting for a moment in silent observation and then nodded to the two women carrying it. “I would be proud to have that hanging in my parlour,” she said with a smile, waving them onwards.
She stopped and peered at Nora. “Are you quite all right, dear? You look a bit peaked.”
“You would be peaked too if you’d travelled all day, Mother,” Gerard interjected. He was always careful to defend Nora to everyone, even family. But this time Nora wasn’t so certain she needed defending. She believed, from her mother-in-law’s expression, that the observation had been kindly meant.
“Thank you,” she said with a smile. “I am a bit green at present, but I suspect that is due to us climbing into a carriage so soon upon landing. I’ve hardly had time to regain my land legs after all the overseas travel.”
“We shall get you all a full meal and some rest,” the woman answered kindly.
At that moment, there was a great shriek of delight from outside, and Diana, who had been visiting a friend when they arrived, came tearing up the stairs and immediately into Nora’s arms.
“Diana!” her mother cried in alarm. “Propriety at all times.”
“I’ve missed you so much,” Diana said, eyes wide and turned upon Nora first and then Gerard. “I’ve been doing just as you suggested and have made every effort imaginable to make friends, and I have in part been able to do so, but there is absolutely no substitute for you Nora. You must tell me all about Italy, and you must promise to stay around in time for my season.”
Nora blinked in astonishment, and when she exchanged a glance with Gerard, she could guess what he was thinking. It was hard to imagine that this breathless girl was the same shy sister he had first introduced to her two years earlier. Diana had blossomed into a woman, and though her personality was still somewhat reserved around those she didn’t know, at the same time she seemed quite comfortable and alive as she hadn’t seemed since before his father died.
“I’m glad to see you’re excited for the season,” she said with a wide smile. “When we last spoke, you seemed reticent about all the crowds.” She leaned forward, however, and seized her friend’s hands. “But there is no need for me to plant worry that isn’t there. You and I shall go to London in two days’ time, when I am quite recovered from all this travel, and we shall go in search of a fine dress for your first ball.”
Diana stood up quickly, pulling Nora with her, and the two turned in a giddy circle. Then Diana stopped and embraced her once more, skipping off to her rooms with her mother close at her heels encouraging a little more decorum. Nora watched her go with a small smile and then turned back to Gerard and shrugged.
“She seems happy enough about it now. Perhaps some time apart from me has done her good,” she said with a smile.
Gerard took her into his arms, as he had done on the shores of the Mediterranean only a few weeks before, and kissed her gently on the forehead. “My dear,” he said quietly, “I know that you are teasing, but I must intercept such nonsense before it does damage unawares, for you have taken my quiet, careful sister and given her supreme courage. For that, I thank you.”
“And I thank you,” Nora responded, standing up on the tips of her toes to kiss Gerard’s cheek, “because you took a chance on me.”
“I am not a gambler,” Gerard said wryly, “but it is my understanding that you are not taking a chance if you are betting on a sure thing.”
***
The two days before the London trip passed easily enough, although Nora felt as though she was running some sort of race that she could not keep up with. Her energy, rather than growing during the resting period, seemed to flag all the more, and she found herself struggling quite genuinely to catch even a few moments of real alone time. Diana was always at her elbow prattling on about the season changes. And while Nora delighted in her company, she found it more and more difficult to hide the bone-deep weariness that settled in around her.
She didn’t want to tell Gerard, not when she was so uncertain of the root behind her condition, and she feared to alarm him. Instead, she waited and hoped that in time the situation would resolve without need for a doctor’s involvement.
When she walked down the stair to climb into the private carriage she and Diana were going to share with the dowager on their ride to London, she stopped just short of the last step and stood swaying for a moment in place as the world began to change rapidly around her. At first, she heard a rushing sound in her ears and felt a certain pressure there. Then all of a sudden, the world tilted to the side and she found herself lying down instead of standing up. It wasn’t clear what had happened, but Nora could hear the sound of Gerard calling out as though from a great distance away. Then she felt arms beneath her carrying her back up the steps from whence she’d come and lying her gently down on a settee. She closed her eyes against the nausea that accompanied this dramatic change of place, and when she opened them again she saw that it was her mother-in-law who had taken up a place at her side.
“That’s it, dear,” the older woman said gently. “Just lie still.”
Gerard came and put a hand on Nora’s forehead and spoke with a tone of barely concealed concern into her ear.
“Nora, what is the matter? Have you been feeling ill for some time?”
“Gerard,” his mother said, reaching out and laying a hand gently on her son’s arm. “There is absolutely no need to panic, but I do think it best if you send for the doctor at once so that we might be certain of your wife’s condition before continuing with any treatment.” She turned, still taking calm control of the situation, and frowned gently at Diana, who Nora saw hovering just on the outskirts of the conversation. “I’m sorry Diana, but I think we will have to postpone our trip for the time-being.”
Nora groaned softly. “I’m sorry,” she chimed in as well. “I know how much this meant to you. It will be just a few days. And then I will be quite able to go along with you I assure you. I believe I’m still adapting after the sea voyage.”
She turned and saw a smile hovering on the lips of the older woman.
“What is it?” she asked tentatively.
“If my suspicions are correct,” the lady said gently, “I would guess that your recovery period will be a bit longer than a few days. I think you can expect months at least before you ought to be going on long trips anywhere. Perhaps we ought to invite a tailor here to fit Diana for her gowns in this very house.”
“Months!” Nora tried to rise, but cool hands helped her back down onto the pillow. “No, that cannot be possible. I shan’t languish for months here under some mysterious illness.”
“It is not so very mysterious,” the dowager said with one last smile in Gerard’s direction. “If I am correct, you are with child. While that is certainly a miracle to behold, it is not such a shock considering your situation.”
Nora heard the news like a shock to her system. In all the travel, she had thought that the weariness and nausea of the past few months had all been a result of the strain they were under and the hot days they’d spent in the sunshine working at landscapes and the like. Now she saw that all along the symptoms had been there clear as day for one equipped to see.
“You are right,” she breathed with quiet delight. “I should have thought of it myself, but I didn’t know. How did you know?”
The dowager smiled benevolently. “A mother knows,” she said, “and when you first came in so tired and road-weary behind all those trunks of exotic goods, I felt it in my heart and saw it in the circles around your eyes. Rest and hydration should be your best chance at recovery. But I will of course wait for the doctor to determine.”
Diana came and sat down beside the settee, her head leaning against Nora’s arm. “I will say,” she chirped with delight, “that this is so much better than a new ball gown in London.”
Nora threw back her head and laughed.
***
The day of Diana’s first ball was magical. Nora was unable to attend the actual event, so heavy as she was with child and completely confined to bed rest. But she was in London with the family for the event and insisted upon being a part of every second of preparation. Diana’s hair was in a loose array of dark curls, her gown of a shimmering gold fabric, her ringlets bound up in a golden thread. She was brimming with excitement, and kissed Nora goodbye with the magic hanging all about her.
Gerard went with her as an escort, and his mother came as well. Nora was left behind with only a few servants and some of Diana’s poems to read and edit. She had been resting in a gentle repose for a few hours, having eaten dinner and settled in with a good book, when she felt a most startling sharp pain in her side and nearly doubled over with the pain of it.
“No,” she said softly to herself. “Not yet. Nobody’s here. You can’t come yet, my little one.”
She settled back, but in a few minute’s time the pain had resurfaaced, and this time with a ferocity that actually made Nora rather frightened. She rang for the maid, and when the girl appeared barely had the breath to gasp out, “The doctor, Elsie. I need the doctor now.”
***
“Wasn’t it glorious?” Diana clung to Gerard’s arm with stars in her eyes. “I have always loved dancing, but there is something so marvellous about doing it in a great group in such a fashion instead of at simple dinner parties. I felt like I was flying.”
“And you had some admirers too,” he answered her with a sobering smile. “I hope you know that they will have to prove themselves very worthy to chase after your hand.”
“I saw no one of interest as of yet,” she said, her nose prettily held high. “But I hope you will remember yourself when I do fancy someone, brother, and recall how very hard you had to strive for our dear Nora. Have a little mercy.”
They walked in through the great doors and began to go their separate ways at the stair when atop the landing a man appeared in dark clothes with a sober outlook. Gerard recognised him at once, and his heart flew into his throat.
“Dr Evans. Is everything all right that you should be here at our house so late at night?”
“Lord Colbourne, please follow me at once,” the man said, turning and scurrying down the hall ahead of them. Gerard exchanged a glance with his mother and sister and then hurried along without them after the doctor’s retreating figure. They went directly to Gerard’s own room that he shared with Nora, and when he opened the door he saw something he had not at all expected: his wife, sitting upright in the bed, with a little bundle wrapped in her arms.
“What?” he breathed, hardly believing it. He had left earlier that afternoon to attend a ball, and now, returning in the wee hours of the morning, he was a father. He stepped breathlessly to his wife’s side. She looked radiant. A little pale, but still stunning with her brown hair streaming about her shoulders and her eyes fixed so unwaveringly on his own.
“What took you so long?” she teased lightly.
“I’m so sorry you had to do this on your own,” he answered.
The doctor cleared his throat. “We will leave you two to your little son, but for now I will tell you that both child and mother are quite well. There is nothing to fear, and the delivery was, in fact, abnormally fast and easy.”
He and the maid left, leaving Gerard alone with Nora yet again. “He thought it was easy,” she said drily.
But Gerard’s eyes were fixed on the little bundle in her arms, and when she pulled back the cloth over the sweet little face, he was taken aback by the love that swelled in his heart. “A son, he said?”
She nodded. “I was thinking about calling him William. What do you think?”
He leaned down and kissed her. “I think it’s perfect, for William began all this, and now I have two of the greatest gifts because of his interference, and a misunderstanding.”
She smiled gently and tucked the little boy deeper into his blanket.
“Goodnight little William,” she soothed, rocking their first child to sleep.
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OFFER: A BRAND NEW SERIES AND 2 FREEBIES FOR YOU!
Grab my new series, "Noble Gentlemen of the Ton", and get 2 FREE novels as a gift! Have a look here!
Hello my dear readers! I hope you enjoyed the book and the Extended Epilogue! I am eagerly expecting your comments here. Thank you so much!
Another exciting good read. Really enjoy your clean books.
Your comment makes me really happy, my dear Annette! Thank you very much for your nice words!
A very good story about love a d family wonderful characters and a good plot and extended epilogue
Thank you so much for your comment, my dear Gwen! 🤗
This is one of the sweetest novels that I have read. Because of that, there were plenty of places within where I shed a few tears. All of the characters are strong and held their own throughout the story.
Thank you so much for your sweet comment, my dear Veronica!
Bridget, you are amazing. I love the way you bring your characters to life! I love the stories you tell. Thank you for sharing your gift. Especially during this awful pandemic.
Bless you.
Thank you so much for your kind comment, my dear Elizabeth!
Another lovely story. All the very best to you and yours, Keep safe, and thank you.
Thank you so much for your comment, my dear Carolyn!🤗
This story had many challenges for the characters but they solved them very well. Thanks for such a happy ending!
Thank you so much for your comment, my dear Jeanette. I’m happy you enjoyed my new book!
I read the book in one sitting and was so pleased to see the characters revealing themselves as the story went on. The epilogue was a finish to a great read.
Thank you so much dear Brenda! I’m so glad you enjoyed my story!🤗
I have read a few of your wonderful novels during the past few weeks of covid-19 confinement and they have been a blessing beyond measure. My husband rolls over in the wee hours of the morning and says, “Are you still reading”? Of course,I ignore him and continue to be delighted by the twists and turns in your stories. You keep writing and I’ll keep reading!
Thank you so much for your kind words, my dear Ethelyn!🙂
It is so seldom that a young girl’s crush grows into a love that is reciprocated by the man of her affections and supported by her loving and involved family. Gerald’s mother was just the right opposition and Katherine and Diana were just the right yang and yang for Nora’s concerns. I would love to read stories about the brothers based on their involvement and support for their sister. Just lovely!
Thank you so much for your comment, my dear Jo!
What a beautiful ending to a great novel. Makes the part of “they lived happily ever” so fitting. I enjoy reading these novel alot.
Thank you so much, my dear Mary! So glad you enjoyed it!
Bridget
You have done it again. This is another great story that I could not put down.
Thank you.
I look forward to the next great story
Sherry
Thank you so much, my dear Sherry!🙂
I do so love your books Bridget. This is another great story you’ve written. A nice clean love story.about a young girls dream coming true. The characters were great. Gerard and Diana made a lovely couple. The extended epilogue completed the story so every character in the book was included. And the best bit was we got to know the baby’s gender. Thank you for another well written story.
Thank you so much for your sweet words, my dear Nora. I’m happy to hear that you enjoyed the book!
Dear Bridget, this is another delightful book you have written. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this marvellous story. The storyline was fascinating and remarkable along with amazing and fantastic people in it. The Extended Epilogue was the crowning achievement of this book.
Thank you so much for your sweet words, my dear Nancy! I’m so glad you enjoyed my story!🤗
To have a spouse that accepts and supports who you are is the greatest blessing. I just hope there were a few marriages during Nora’s time where the husbands allowed their wives to be true to themselves. I love happy endings.
Lynn
Thank you so much for your comment, my dear Lynn! 🙂
What a wonderful, uplifting story! I will certainly continue to read your books, in fact have already obtained a few more to read. I like your extended epilogue that put a wonderful ending to the story.
Thank you so much for your comment, my dear Jessie.🙂
A very engaging story that drew you in from the start.
Couple of ups and downs, but nothing too tragic. Loved
the extended epilogue with the happy ever after ending.
A very engaging story that drew you in from the start.
Couple of ups and downs, but nothing too tragic. Loved
the extended epilogue with the happy ever after ending.
Glad to have read the story and am looking forward to more.
Thank you so much for your comment, my dear Karen. I’m happy to hear that you enjoyed the book!
Hello Bridget,
This one of the most enjoyable romance novels I have read, and I read four to five each week, so I wanted to add my very positive reaction to the several other reviews. I like the moral principle displayed in all of the characters, and was especially impressed with the portrayal of Katherine as a competitor and as a friend to Nora. All of the characters were very believable, and the story had a happy ending with the “bad guys” seeing the error of their ways and becoming misguided “good guys.” The epilogue also added a substantive wrap-up of the story of Nora and Gerard. To all of the reviews above I say “Here! Here!” Thank you Bridget for another clean and enjoyable story.
Thank you so much for your nice words, my dear Mary! So happy to hear that! 🙂
Loved this book. Read through in 2 days. I couldn’t put it down.
I’m so excited to hear that, my dear Barbara! Thank you! 🙂
I often read murder and mayhem stories. . .however when I am ready to truly relax and enter a romantic fantasy land, yours are the stories I find myself reading. Always a happy ending with great love! Thank you for entertaining my fantasies!
Thank you so much for your comment, my dear Corky! 🙂
Very well written. Showed love and loyalty with respect and courage to stand up for who and what you believe in.
Thank you so much for your comment, my dear Cheryl! 😊
I loved your book! I did shed a few tears but I finally was convinced that Nora and Gerald would marry. I look forward to your next book!
Thank you so much for your comment, my dear Carolyn! 🙂
Loved this story. Very sweet and I always LOVE the extended epilogues.
This is my very favorite of your books!
I’m so happy to hear that, my dear Bex! 😊
Thank you for a lovely book to read.
I generally love your books but this one really was a favorite. I became emotional which is a clear indication of my connection to the characters. I loved Nora and Gerard and was so happy they found their happy ever after.
Thank you so much for your sweet words, my dear Fanosse! 😊
This was a wonderful story and I can not wait to read the next book. You are one of my favorite authors you put together a book that brought tears to my eyes over Nora’s agony over Katherine.
Thank you so much for your sweet words, my dear Judy. I’m so excited to hear that!
I must say you are one of the best writers in this genre. Dialogue is very well done, characters and plots nicely developed and while conclusions may be easily anticipated, the journey to them is a!ways interesting. You are not one whose ebooks are erased after a half chapter!!!
Thank you so much for your sweet words, my dear Joan. I’m so happy to hear that! 😊
Howdy Bridget. Thank you yet again for the wonderful novel. I seem to be gobbling them up at a very swift pace, they are really that good. The characters are extremely compelling to read about and are kept that way by your superb style of writing. It is exciting to see and read such well written novels. This Aussie will never have enough of them and I feel that you should be very proud of your achievements, which are many when it comes to writing. I hope you a keeping well during this difficult time. 🌺
Thank you so much, my dear Jeanette. Hope you are well too! 😊
Loved the story of Nora and Greard. The uncertainty they both felt about their own capabilities and how they were able to grow beyond them and to see each others strengths was refreshing. Thank you for a wonderful conclusion in the extended epilogue
Thank you so much for your comment, Mary! I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed my book!🙂
I have read maybe 8 of your books and they just seem to get better and better. And I love the extended epilogues. Keep writing and I will continue reading. And now off to find another of your books to read!!!!
Thank you so much, my dear Laurie. I’m so happy to hear that!
I loved the story from beginning to end.
The love of brothers for sisters was endearing, sharing activities as without
Attention to gender as was appropriate for that time.
The protectiveness of males the ladies.
There is always someone trying to manipulate the lives of others.
Thank you so much, my dear Mary! I’m so glad you enjoyed my story!🤗
Really enjoyed the story this wonderful book read it all in 3 or 4 hours.
The storyline was great and it ended wonderfully all the characters were wonderful. I’m ready to read another one thank you so much for writing such wonderful books.
Thank you so much, my dear Mary! So glad you enjoyed it!
Such an enjoyable book & the Extended Epilogue has a really sweet ending.
I very much enjoyed reading about the trials Nora went through and the problems Gerard had with his mother not accepting Nora. I do enjoy reading books from the era when the status was so important.
Loved the characters. Beautiful story with Gerard and Nora.
Thank you,
Thank you so much for your kind comment, my dear Debby! 🥰
I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and plot. The extended epilogue leaves my heart with a happy ending. I’m usually sad to finish books because I always want “just a little more!”
So glad to hear that you enjoyed the story, my dear Jean! Thank you! 🙂
Ups and downs, twists and turns and a happily ever after. I loved it!
So glad to hear that you enjoyed the story, my dear Donna! Thank you so much!
Loved this book. Keep on writing!!
Thank you so much for your comment, my dear Lequete!
Another wonderful clean story. From a childhood yearning, to a “fake” courting, to wanting the real thing and the opposition found and overcome. Keep writing.
Thank you so much for the kind words, my dear Barbara. So happy you enjoyed the book!
I truly enjoyed this book !!!!!! Good clean entertainment. I couldn’t put it down. Please continue to write such wonderful stories.
Thank you,
Pat
forever your reader,
Thank you so much for your nice words, my dear Pat!
I truly enjoyed this book. Not your typical quiet Miss making this a fresh, delightful story.
Thank you so much for your nice words, my dear Sam!
I have read many of your stories and this is my favorite so far. I got completely caught up with the characters and at times was shedding some tears. Thank you for writing such great stories and will continue to be one of your devoted followers.
Mel
Thank you so much for your comment, my dear Melodie. You made my day! 😊
Bridget,
I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful story. You presented the characters masterfully with a gradual exposure of their personalities and growth. The plan was not contrived but flowed from point to point.
Thank you for a time pleasantly spent reading. I look forward to reading your other books.
I’m glad you liked the story, my dear Shirley! Make sure to stay tuned because I have more coming!
Loved it so much I didn’t want to put it down!
So glad you enjoyed it, my dear Mary!
Another wonderful book. I couldn’t put it down. I love a clean book with strong characters. Thank you Bridget Barton.
You are most welcome dear Eleanor! I am glad you enjoyed it!
Loved the book. I hope you have a series on her brothers. That would be great!
Thank you dear Bernadette! I will think about your suggestion! But right now I have another story in my mind 😉 Stay tuned!