Punishing His Ward (Domestic Discipline 3)

As Cynthia burst out laughing at Eleanor's surprising cursing, she found herself giggling a bit as well.

“Would you have said yes if he asked?”

Cynthia nodded firmly. “Absolutely. He’s… so very exciting isn’t he?” she asked in a wistful voice. Eleanor heard the desire in her voice for something more than exciting, something more like the emotions that Eleanor yearned to have from Edwin, but she didn’t think Cynthia would have too much to worry about.

As far as she could tell, Wesley was well on his way to being in love with his fiancé. She’d never known him to lose control the way he apparently did around Cynthia. And if he didn’t want to marry her, he would have never done so.

The Countess came swanning back into the room a moment later, causing Eleanor to give silent thanks that she hadn't been in hearing distance of Eleanor's intemperate language mere minutes before. Beaming, the Countess showed them the sage and cream linens that she'd been looking for and began chattering about the arrangements for the ceremony and wedding breakfast to follow.

Although she was already feeling exhausted, Eleanor pasted a smile on her face as she listened. Edwin was still with Wesley and she wasn't going to send to him to ask if they could take their leave, everyone would realize there was something wrong with her. Something more than just an illness.

Her hand wandered back down to her belly, stroking the fabric over it without thinking about it. Before she told Edwin that she was with child, she would do everything she could to secure his affections and ensure that he wouldn't be like other husbands, who lost interest in their wives once they were breeding.

And the bloody man better make a damned declaration sometime soon!

******

As soon as the library door closed behind Eleanor, Edwin's face broke out in the grin that he was keeping constantly suppressed lately. Even larger and brighter than the one he’d given Wesley when congratulating him on his engagement.

"You must congratulate me as well," he told Wesley, his chest near bursting with the news. "Eleanor is enceinte!"

Wesley let out a whoop, splashing some of his whiskey out of his glass (not that either of them noticed) and the two men hugged each other fiercely, before Wesley broke away and shook Edwin's hand, congratulating him. "But why didn't she say anything while she was in here?"

"Yes well... I have to ask you not to share the news just yet," Edwin said, "as she hasn't officially told me."

"Then how do you know?"

Edwin snorted. "Please. You know how Nell adores social events, and yet she wasn't at the Assembly last night."

"I thought she wasn't feeling well."

"She hasn't been feeling well for quite some time, although she does her best to hide it. And she's been particularly unwell in the mornings, her maid told me. Besides which, I can count as well as the next man."

Grinning, Wesley went to his cabinet. "This calls for a special drink. The good brandy. Even if I can't congratulate you officially or mention it to her yet. Why do you think she hasn't told you?"

"Who knows," Edwin said, waving his hand. "I assume she's waiting to be absolutely sure... or perhaps she's worried I'll curtail our social activities if she tells me. Which she'd be absolutely right about, I’ll be ensuring that she doesn’t wear herself out; I'm extremely relieved we're already in Bath where it's much easier to do so. Not that it was difficult last night, she actually asked to stay home."

"Well it's a good thing you already knew what was wrong, or you might have thought it was something serious," Wesley said, handing Edwin a snifter of his best French brandy. The situation called for it. Good grief... in two weeks’ time, their entire little cadre woul

d be married and one of them was already with child.

He wondered how he would feel when Cynthia carried his child. Proud, certainly. Would his eyes have the same radiance that Edwin's did? The silly, soppy grin on Edwin's face should have made Wesley shake his head at the poor sod, as it would have a month ago. Instead he just felt glad for his friend and eager for the day when he might wear a similar expression. Gads, that was almost terrifying.

"So, decided you couldn't live without your ward, eh? Or was it your mother's practicing that tipped your hand?"

"Ah... well. Certainly my mother contributed, which I’m starting to suspect was her intention, but last night during the carriage ride home... well let's just say that matters progressed to a point where a marriage proposal would be expected, if not strictly necessary."

Edwin shook his head, laughing. "That is not in the least bit surprising. I wish Hugh had been here, we could have placed bets on when you would fall.”

“I wasn’t that obvious,” Wesley objected, getting an arch look from his friend.

“I'm more surprised that you're waiting two weeks to do the deed."

"My mother, you know," Wesley said with a shrug, looking faintly sheepish. "I knew she'd want to plan something and I found I couldn't deny her the opportunity. Still, two weeks is better than four."

Nodding, Edwin could only feel grateful that his own parents had no taste for such events. They'd been overjoyed that he'd married Eleanor, eager for him to bring her to the Manse, but not at all put out that they'd missed the actual wedding. Although, he'd have to put off traveling there now for a bit longer, until after Wesley's wedding at least. His parents would understand. Still, he was looking forward to eventually being home, and his mother would be a solid support for Eleanor while she was breeding. He had no doubt that Lady Harrington, and her possibly her husband, would join them there as well until it was Eleanor's time, which would also delight his parents. They did enjoy friends visiting, even if they preferred not to leave the estates themselves.

"I've written Hugh and Alex," Wesley continued. "And told my mother to include them on the guest list, but I wanted to ensure they'd be able to come. Figured I should inform them as soon as possible. Did Hugh tell you that Alex is determined to reconcile with Lady Brooke?"