Caroline’s News

Chapter 41: Caroline’s News

With her background, the physiological symptoms should have been obvious but Lady Squires had been accustomed to low expectations. She knew that becoming pregnant was not straight forward for every woman so even though she had missed a period she was not prepared for the full reality until a spa doctor in Scarborough told her his opinion. She, Abigail and Betty celebrated at a top restaurant in the resort before she made the other 2 swear to secrecy.

Maybe Caroline had planned to wait before she was absolutely certain but matters came to a head on her first night back. Despite the diversion provided by the servant sisters he always welcomed the return of his wife’s rear. He had his riding crop at the ready expecting a stimulating night but then she had to confess.

“I’m sorry, darling. I can’t accept anything more than a light spanking.”

“What?” roared her husband. “You love it.”

“Yes … but maybe the baby won’t.”

“Oh”. This was a confusing moment for Sir Thomas. Immediately it was going to get in the way of his greatest pleasure. However much fun he had with other women, it just did not equal the pleasure he enjoyed with Caroline. He considered whether he really wanted a child around the place although having son and heir to look up to him did have an appeal, but what if it was a daughter for whom nothing less than a huge dowry would be required as well as being someone he might not want to corrupt? However he felt, he knew there was only one appropriate reaction.

“My big bird, that is the most wonderful news. We should build a nursery immediately. Upstairs or downstairs?” and he hugged her clasping her bottom.

“No need to hurry, the child will not leave me until March. I’m so glad you’re happy.” and they kissed passionately.

“How could I be otherwise?”

About a week later Thomas decided to depart earlier than he had originally intended for London, disappointed that his marital sex life was now much tamer.

Caroline was quite surprised when Samuel decided to spend the night. The would-be mystic did not hold much interest for his hostess so she decided to knit some baby clothes while he went off not to the study in the library. There he found Abigail poring over some documents relating to the history of the castle which probably should have been the other side of the wall in the study.

“Ah Miss Hawksby, I see you have an interest in history.”

“Well Mr Atha, I love castles and I have been looking to see if this one held any gruesome secrets.”

“Gruesome?”

“Yes, Mr Atha. Please call me Abigail.”

“Samuel, if you please?”

“I love dark tales of imprisonment and **** and with all these thick walls I hoped to find secrets such as someone’s bones being hidden in a dungeon. There is mention of a dungeon here but I do not know which room it was in. Can you help me, Samuel?”

“I will take a look, but if there were something like that I am sure Thomas would have told me about it. Perhaps it is under one of the towers. You should look for trap doors.” Sam’s heart was beating fast as he did not want to betray the baronet but felt strangely compelled to help the girl. Further conversation with this intelligent young lady made him further regret ignoring her on his previous visit. After diverting her attention away from the house history, he promised next time to bring her books on mythology and magic. Perhaps, he thought, there was a way to get her inducted as a priestess but his feelings were rather fatherly and he did not really want to see her abused. How little he knew of her desires.