His Perfect Bride(34)

After a short time, Ashley appeared behind the screen.

"Come along. You must get up," Ashley commanded.

"Who was at the door?" Brianna propped herself on her elbows. Something in Ashley's tone worried her.

"Martha. Don't worry. I have instructed her to bring you some dry bread and water. It may help soothe your stomach."

"Thank you." Brianna felt overwhelmed with gratitude for Ashley's understanding.

"You are welcome. Now, let us get you back into bed. Martha is already  concerned enough over your health. If you wish to keep your condition a  secret, you are going to have a lot of work to do."

Brianna accepted Ashley's assistance to her feet and made her way over  to the bedside table. Keeping the secret from Martha would prove  difficult, but since the girl had not demonstrated she could be  trustworthy, Brianna would have to do whatever necessary to hide her  condition. Before Martha arrived with the bread, Ashley worked on  Brianna's appearance, trying to make her more presentable. When Martha  returned, she gave Brianna a wide smile, and Brianna assumed their  ministrations worked.

"How are you feeling this morning, my lady?" Martha asked as she sat the tray onto the table.

"I'm more myself today," Brianna responded with a light smile.



"We are hoping her upset stomach is due to hunger and nothing more,"  Ashley added quickly. "Brianna, why do you not try some bread while  Martha and I decide what you should wear today?"

"Very well." Brianna eyed the tray distastefully. As she picked up a  piece of dry bread, she hoped Ashley would not choose an uncomfortable  garment. As Martha returned holding a pale lavender gown, Brianna  quickly shoved some of the bread in her mouth, for it would not do for  Martha to observe her reluctance.

"Would you care to wear this one today, my lady?" Martha asked.

Brianna nodded as she worked on swallowing the dry crumbs. The gown was perfect, and she was relieved at their choice.

Once Brianna dressed, she began to feel better. This morning had been  worse than the others, and she was grateful the bread helped, so she  could behave in a normal manner today.

"You look much better," Ashley proclaimed cheerfully.

"I do feel better as well."

"I'm glad to hear that," Ashley expressed. "I imagine your increased  hunger in the morning is due to your lack of proper eating the previous  night. I encourage you to eat more, but in the event you forget, perhaps  Martha could bring you some bread and water each morning."

"I would be happy to. I'm so relieved to hear she isn't ill. I have been  so worried these past days, and not being able to tell anyone has been  difficult." Martha held her hand over her chest.

"It would still be a good idea to keep this to yourself. I don't imagine  Lady Brianna would care for everyone to know of her situation since  there is no reason for concern," Ashley advised, using her teaching  voice.

"You can count on me. I would hate to cause any embarrassment," Martha  agreed, nodding her head. Brianna knew Martha enjoyed having a secret,  but she also knew how much Martha preferred everyone know she had a  secret. It was the fastest way to spread rumors. Brianna would have to  work hard to do whatever necessary to disprove any speculations being  spread around.         

     



 



"I'll be downstairs if you need me," Ashley informed them.

"Thank you again," Brianna replied, to which Ashley nodded in response.  As the door closed, Brianna turned her attention back to Martha. The  girl's youth and inexperience made it easier for her to accept the  story, which suited Brianna nicely. Martha's low humming as she fixed  Brianna's hair made her feel more at ease. She began to believe Martha  would not pose a serious threat to her secret getting out.

The next problem she would face was Richard. Although Brianna agreed  Ashley's assessment was conceivable, her friend was unmarried and young,  so she could not have as much knowledge about child bearing as she let  on. The possibility existed she was wrong, and Brianna refused to  condemn herself with unconfirmed data. Before she spoke to Richard, she  wanted to be absolutely certain. Therefore, a second, more experienced,  opinion was necessary. The only problem was she had no idea who to ask.

Throughout the morning, Brianna worried over who could advise her, and  she didn't like her options. In the end, she decided on speaking with  Ashley. Although she didn't wish to hurt Ashley's feelings, she had no  choice.

Approaching the schoolroom, Brianna heard carefree laughter and was  struck by how odd the sound seemed to her. In such a short time,  everything had become so complicated, and the thought life continued as  normal felt strange. Knowing she would never be able to enjoy another  carefree day brought an ache from deep within her.

Putting on the happiest expression she could muster, Brianna entered the room.

"Good morning," Brianna said brightly.



"Good morning, Bree." Grace's voice was full of laughter. "You are missing a good lesson on how to flirt properly."

"I'm sorry to have missed it." Brianna didn't add how she had witnessed  her sister's flirting in action, and that she needed no further  instruction.

"Are you here to take lessons?" Grace asked.

"No. I was simply hoping to speak with Miss Ashley, but if you are in  the middle of an important lesson, I can come back at another time."  Brianna tried not to let disappointment show through her words.

"That isn't necessary. Grace and I were about to take a break anyway,"  Ashley explained, then turned to Grace. "I have a good idea. You can go  ask Lady Elizabeth if she would care to visit Gunter's with us for an  ice."

"That is a wonderful idea." Grace beamed and then turned to Brianna with  pleading eyes. "Would you like to come with us, too? It will be so much  fun."

"I would love to join you," Brianna replied, smiling at Grace's happy  screech. Brianna always enjoyed Gunter's ices. However, today the mere  mention of it had her craving one as she never had before.

"I'll ask her, and then we will wait in the drawing room for you two.  Don't be long," Grace ordered, before skipping from the room.

"She is very excitable." Ashley shook her head in an indulgent manner.

"The idea of her going out into society and flirting with gentlemen  terrifies me. She is still young, but I don't believe I'll ever see her  as anything but a child."

"I understand what you mean, but don't worry about her. She will be prepared. I intend to take very good care of her."

"I'll hold you to that," Brianna promised, never more grateful they decided to keep Ashley around.

"Now, what is it you wished to speak to me about? Are you feeling all right?"



"Yes, thank you. I was just wondering how sure you were about me being  with child?" Brianna kept her voice barely above a whisper. Ashley's  eyes darted to the door, then she crossed the room to close it and slide  the bolt into place. When she returned to her chair, she was wringing  her hands, and her eyes were full of sadness.

"I can't say exactly as I'm not overly familiar with the condition."

"You appear to be more familiar with it than I. Mother has not told me  anything, and I don't imagine she will choose to until I'm wed."

"I have heard some mention here and there, but I was never told exactly  either. The majority of the knowledge I have gained is from . . .  personal experience."

Brianna sucked in her breath as she brought her hand to her chest.  Ashley had a child? She had thousands of questions, but she observed the  pain on Ashley's face and had no desire to increase it. If Ashley chose  not to confide in her, Brianna would not press, for she most likely had  good reasons.

"I see," Brianna acknowledged, once she contained her shock.         

     



 

"I'm sure you are wondering where my child is, for it would be my first  question as well. I lost him in the early months of carrying him. I had  barely learned I was with child before he was lost to me."

"I'm so sorry."

"It was several years ago. I'm at peace with it now. Regardless, I was  attended to rather closely, and the midwife assured me I would still be  able to bear children in the future."

"I'm glad to hear it." Brianna felt her friend's pain. She knew if she  carried Richard's child, losing the life that was a part of him would  devastate her. Although the appearance of a child now severely altered  her future, she would never wish any harm to come to the unborn babe.



"I was very lucky to be taken care of by such a good midwife."

"Do you suppose you could take me to see her? I'm sure a midwife could  tell me with absolute certainty if I was with child or not."

"That does sound like a good idea if you don't have a preference  regarding which midwife you see," Ashley stammered, biting her lip.