Ten Ways to Ruin

“Yes, and you must tell me where you buy it, so I can have our cook order some. It was absolutely delicious.” Then she turned to her sister to avoid the scrutiny of the man with whom she least wanted to have something in common.

“Perhaps we should have a treasure hunt,” Louisa said as she tapped her fingers on the edge of the chair.

Emma rolled her eyes before sneaking a glance at her brother-in-law. The poor man looked completely miserable today, and she couldn’t help but wonder if her presence was adding to his unhappiness today. Her family had indirectly caused his father to commit suicide.

“Perhaps a quiet game of cards,” Kingsley suggested.

“I need a walk,” Harry finally said. “Simon?”

“At your service,” Kingsley replied. “I suppose cards will have to wait until after luncheon.”

“In this rain? You’ll catch your death,” Louisa exclaimed.

“Not today, Duchess,” Kingsley commented as he followed his brother out of the room.

Louisa sighed as the men left. “I wish I knew how to comfort Harry. He’s barely said two words to me today.”

“He will be out of this mood in a few days. I know he invited me but having two of the Drake sisters here can’t be helping.”

Louisa nodded. “I was rather surprised when he told me that he’d invited you.”

“Surprise? That sounded like anger to me.” Emma walked to the coffee service and poured herself another cup.

“I must apologize for my behavior two days ago. Nurse believes George is starting to teethe already. I was sleepy and out of sorts.”

“Already? Is four months early?”

“A bit, at least according to Nurse. But she said some babies are more bothered by teething more than others, and he still might not break through a tooth for a couple of months. He is so he irritable, and nothing soothes him.”

Emma smiled. “Is he any better?”

“Not really. And I must feed him soon. Will you come up to the nursery with me?”

“Of course, I barely saw the boy yesterday.”

Emma sipped her coffee as Louisa regaled her with stories of her son. As they walked up to the nursery, Emma could hear George fussing. “The poor thing.”

“Poor me,” Louisa said with a laugh. “Perhaps I should have gotten a wet nurse.”

Emma shook her head. “You would have hated having someone else feed your baby.”

As she walked into the room, Nurse stood with George in her arms as she swayed to and fro, softly singing to him. Seeing Louisa, Nurse handed George to her.

“I am going to have a cup of tea,” Nurse said. “Ring if you need me.”

“Thank you,” Louisa said as she unbuttoned the front of her dress. “Can you hold him for a moment while I get ready?”

Emma pulled George away from his mother only to have him cry in disapproval. “Hush, little boy, your mama is right there.”

“All right. Bring the little scoundrel over here,” Louisa said as she bared her breast.

“Does it hurt?” Emma asked as George latched on and started suckling.

“The first few weeks, it was dreadful, but we finally figured it out, and now we get along just fine, don’t we?” Louisa wiped away a tear from the little boy’s cheek.

As Louisa nursed George, Emma walked to the window and stared out at the expansive gardens. Kingsley’s words flittered through her mind. What did she want? Emma stared out at the pouring rain. The gloomy day had seeped into her mind and soul.

While she used to want marriage for the usual reasons and the thought of children had only been a duty to conserve her husband's title. But seeing both her sisters with their children had changed her mind. The idea of an infant so helpless, save the protection of his mother, touched her heart. Louisa often spoke of the inconceivable love she felt for her son.