"We walked along the path, in clear view of everyone present, as you requested. She told me of her requirements, the same ones you mentioned earlier. However, I did think it strange she didn't mention her preference for an untitled man."
"I suppose since she already knew of your lack of title, there was no reason to bring it up again."
"Anyway, something was amiss with her, for she seemed different than this morning."
"In what way?" Richard asked, concern tugging at him.
"I can't say for sure. This morning she was full of life and spirit. It was quite intoxicating really. I honestly found I was-"
"Stick to the facts. I'm uncomfortable enough with this whole situation and having to endure your commentary does not give me a more favorable outlook."
"Very well," Jonathan agreed with a sigh. "It was not only that, but several times throughout the conversation, when she didn't believe I was looking, I noticed her grimace as if in pain. Perhaps she sustained an injury earlier in the day and didn't wish to cancel."
"I would not be surprised if that was the case. She is very stubborn, and I imagine she would hide far worse if it suited her. However, this does give me a good excuse to call upon her tomorrow," Richard added, trying to not become too concerned. If she had sustained a serious injury, he was confident Elizabeth would have notified him. "What else did the two of you talk about?"
"Thinking back on it, I realize that similar to our morning conversation, you were a main topic. I believe she feels more for you than she would care to admit."
"I would like to believe so." Richard sat back in his chair, pleased to hear Brianna asked after him.
"She was not blatant about it, but obviously my comments to her about your determination had an effect. Perhaps she is terrified you will come after her?"
"Terrified or not, I'll do whatever necessary to have her."
"Unlike my typical female companions, Lady Brianna is difficult to understand, and I'm not sure she even knows what she wants."
"I would be happy to help make that decision for her." Richard grinned widely. "Did she arrange for another meeting?"
"No. We were cut off abruptly when her sister approached us, which is entirely your fault for making us stay in plain sight. After that, Lady Brianna quickly excused herself and was gone before they could comment."
"If she was given more time, did you get the feeling she would have asked to see you again?" Richard held his breath waiting for the answer. Although Jonathan was not having as much luck understanding Brianna, he always had a sixth sense when it came to women. Richard was confident if Brianna developed an interest in Jonathan, his friend would know.
"No, she has no interest in me. You are in luck, because now you will not have to explain to her why you offered her Viscount Linwood's heir as an untitled man."
"I suspect that conversation would not go over very well," Richard agreed, unable to contain his relieved smile.
He enjoyed being Brianna's only option for marriage, and he would have to continue reminding her why he was the correct choice for her. Tomorrow would give him another opportunity to propose to her. He could only hope and pray the more she heard it, the more likely she would be to accept him.
Brianna awoke with overwhelming abdominal pain. Jumping up, she raced to the chamber pot to perform her new morning ritual. The pain was increasing and becoming unpredictable in its timing. Back on the bed, she began to believe it was time to tell someone about this illness. She only wished to wait another week. Lady Laramie's ball was in such a short time, and she refused to miss it.
All her life she heard of Lady Laramie's balls, and she was excited for the opportunity to attend this year. Every year Lord and Lady Laramie assigned a theme to the ball based on one of the exotic places they visited. The theme this time was a rainforest, and Brianna could not wait to experience it. Lady Laramie was known for her extravagance as well as her incredible hospitality.
A knock at the door signaled Martha's arrival, so Brianna didn't bother to get out of bed or mask her pain. Martha would be pleased she decided to tell someone about her illness. Calling out for Martha to enter, she was surprised to hear a gasp that was not her maid's traditional welcome. Lifting her head, Brianna groaned to see Ashley standing at the foot of the bed, her face grave.
"Brianna, are you all right?" Ashley wrung her hands.
"Not exactly," Brianna rasped, pulling herself up to sit on the side of the bed. "You must promise me you will not tell anyone."
"First, tell me exactly what complications you are having, and then I shall decide if I need to notify anyone."
Brianna didn't like her options, but she didn't feel up to arguing. She opened her mouth to tell Ashley what had been going on when another wave of nausea hit her. Clamping her hand over her mouth, she ran behind the dressing screen.
After the worst passed, she hesitated, her face burning in embarrassment. She didn't want to face Ashley now. Taking a deep breath, she hung her head and stepped out from behind the screen. Without looking in Ashley's direction, she threw herself onto the bed.
"How long has this been going on?" Ashley went to her side.
"Several days," Brianna mumbled, curling onto her side so her responses would be intelligible. Fighting through the pain, she peered up at Ashley, and saw horror frozen on her friend's face.
"What else are you experiencing? Tell me everything, so I may help you."
"I'm not suffering any other physical afflictions. This sickness has been only in the mornings until recently."
Ashley's mouth popped open and her eyes grew wide as she assessed Brianna.
"Now, you must be completely honest with me. Have you allowed a gentleman to take liberties which should only be offered to your husband?" Ashley asked bluntly.
Brianna sucked in her breath, her heart pumping wildly. How did Ashley know?
"Oh, Brianna," Ashley moaned, falling onto the bed beside her. "Please tell me I'm wrong, and you were not so foolish. Did you not think this could happen?"
"I'm not sure I know what you are talking about." Brianna turned around so she could see Ashley's face. Obviously Ashley had an idea of what was happening to her.
"When was the last time you experienced your menses?"
"Let me think." Brianna began to calculate the last time she was indisposed. Shock ran through her body. It had been around six weeks. This was the first time she had not been afflicted every month. "It can't be."
"There can be no other explanation," Ashley confirmed.
Brianna gently touched her flat stomach as if she could feel the life growing inside her. Could it be? Was she with child? Ashley seemed so sure, and, she had to admit, it did seem plausible.
Together with Richard, she had created a baby. Indescribable joy flooded her at the thought of having his baby. She saw herself holding a brown-haired, blue-eyed boy.
Almost as quickly as the delight came, it disappeared. This changed everything. Now there was no denying her ruined status, and soon everyone would know. Her perfect future vanished and only left her with two possibilities. She could marry Richard, assuming he still desired to. Considering the scandal this could possibly create, he may have changed his mind. She would be a marchioness, and her freedom lost.
The other option was distasteful. She could live at home as a spinster for as long as her parents' generosity lasted, then she would be cast out, condemned to the life of a working woman and raising her child alone. Regardless of what she chose, her dreams were gone. When she was younger, her mother had always told her the reckless behavior would one day get her into more trouble than she could get out of. Her mother had been right.
"What do I do?" Brianna pleaded, turning her gaze to Ashley.
"You only have one option. Who is the father?"
Brianna hesitated, not wanting Ashley to think any less of Richard for this. "Since you will soon discover it, I shall tell you, but you are not allowed to pass judgment on him. He isn't at fault. I sort of seduced him."
"What? How could you do that? Did you not understand it would lead to marriage?"
"I did, but at the time, I was not aware of the gentleman's family name."
"Lord Stonemede?" Ashley exclaimed, then the shock drained away, and she narrowed her eyes. "I should have suspected by the way you were acting around him. How can I not blame him? He lied to you. Or maybe this was his plan from the beginning."
"It was not like that." Brianna jumped to his defense.
Ashley pressed her lips together but didn't comment further.
Another wave of nausea struck, forcing her to once again cross the room. She grew vaguely aware of a knock at the door and voices, but at the moment she could have cared less if King George III strolled into her bedchamber. Lying on the floor, she enjoyed the feeling of the cool surface upon her overheated face.