"I'm here looking over Alexander and Sarah's house. They've begun building their own, and want to sell Ashton Manor now that Jonathan's wife Pamela is sure they will also not be needing it," he told them. "Very well met indeed."
Blake burned with jealousy, but said nothing as Philip and Arabella went off into a corner together to catch up on each other's news and chat with Michael.
"I'll go over and visit Sarah, and be back shortly," he said with a last long look at the strikingly attractive dark-haired pair.
One look at Sarah Deveril Davenport told him she was blooming. Blake examined her carefully and said he thought the babe was getting into position for her due date.
"Will you be here for the event, do you think?" she asked him hopefully.
"I will. We have various affairs down here that need tending, and I would like to see you through this." He washed up thoroughly after his examination and then said, "How is Alexander faring these days?"
"His back is so much better. His memory is just about all returned so far as he tells me. It was hard for him travelling to Ireland, but he says it was for the best. The weather was most fresh and invigorating, and the sea air."
"Good, glad to hear it."
"And me? When will I be able to travel again after the baby is born?" she asked.
"What, back to Ireland?" he asked in surprise.
"Yes," she said quietly. "Or maybe just London," she added a short time later.
"I would give it about two months at least. You'll be tired, run down. The routine for baby will be exceedingly disrupted if you leave home. Have you got a wet nurse arranged yet?"
"I plan to feed him or her myself."
"I see. Then definitely three months."
She sighed.
"I'm sorry, my dear, but there's nothing more important than your health. So just resign yourself to sitting with your feet up for the next few months, and by May you will be ready to travel."
"Very good then. I shall tell Alexander."
"Surely he would not want to be working so busily when he's just become a new father?"
"Ah, well, sometimes people don't get very much of a choice. Events overtake one on occasion."
Blake couldn't fathom why his old friend's sister was acting so oddly, but he simply shrugged. Pregnant women often got strange fancies. He put it down to the nervousness of a first-time mother.
"Just rest as much as possible. We can discuss this again after he is born. I can't tell you anything for certain until I see how you get through the delivery."
"Thank you very much."
"Now I must get back to my ward Arabella."
"Yes, I had heard all about that, and how marvelous she is at the clinic. Please do bring her around some day."
"If you're sure you're not too tired for guests?"
"Not at all. If as you say I have to sit with my feet up and am confined, I'll welcome the diversion."
He shook hands. Promising that they would come to visit again soon, he returned to Eltham Castle.
By the time he returned, it was obvious that Philip was making every attempt to deepen his friendship with Arabella.
To be fair to Michael, he was also trying to be charming and suave for the sake of Blake, whom he knew was still deeply attached to her, even though he had denied it vehemently and was still persisting in his role of guardian rather than lover.
Arabella liked Philip; there was something so stark and despairing about him at times that she couldn't help but be pleasant to him. But in love with him, no. He was a man with too much to hide. Even had he not been, she felt no spark with him they way she did every time Blake was in the same room.
"Philip will be coming with us to the townhouse for a few days," Thomas informed Blake when he came in to take tea. "Why don't you all join us? It will save Michael driving back and forth to the Baths."
"I will defer to Michael's wishes in this, as he has been a most excellent host, and it's his own convenience we must think of."
"Have you a chamber on the ground floor which would be suited to my use?" Michael asked without a trace of embarrassment.
Arabella's heart went out to him. It had to be hard for him to admit that he was so badly disabled.
"Yes, a couple of different rooms in either house can easily be converted to use as a bedchamber. It will be no trouble at all. You may take your pick."
"Very well, then. What about next Monday? Blake and Arabella will be back from their excursion to her home by then."
"When are you leaving?"
"Thursday. We expect to be back on Monday, so we can meet at the townhouse in Bath."