The furniture was exquisite; she recognized the pieces as that of Chippendale but until this moment she’d only seen drawings of such items in La Belle Assemblée and Ackerman’s Repository. The walls were freshly papered—she loved the pale green and gold stripes and the carpet was patterned in similar colours.
“I love it, how did you achieve this without recourse to asking me my taste? The day bed and armchairs match the curtains—green and gold are my favourite colours. I don’t remember telling you that.” She was too overwhelmed to continue. Shaking her head in disbelief she walked from item to item, running her hands along the smooth surfaces in delight.
Ellie appeared from the door that led into the bedroom. The girl was bouncing with excitement. “Oh, my lady, you’ll never guess what you have through here.”
Isobel wandered in a happy daze to see what other wonders he had provided. The bedroom was as superb as the sitting-room, the dressing room and closets everything they should be, but the room that had caused her abigail so much excitement was a genuine bathing room. She had heard about such places but never thought to own one for herself.
Alexander was glowing with happiness. “See, darling, if you stand here you may take a shower bath, the water escapes through the drain hole and goes down pipes attached to the outside wall. I think perhaps it might be wise not to use the bath until you’re delivered.”
She viewed the enormous bath - this was long enough for Alexander to stretch out in. She would be obliged to swim if the water were to be filled to the brim. “You’re quite right, Alexander, not only might I drown in there, I fear I might also be unable to get out again without assistance.”
“I hope you’ll give me permission to use this bathing room sometimes, sweetheart. I don’t have one installed at my end of the house.”
Her eyes widened. It had not occurred to her she had been moved on her own to this end of the building. He could not have made it plainer. He was giving her the freedom to choose. Her throat closed, she held out her hand and he took it. He was quite right, today was the start of a new life for both of them.
“There’s just one more thing to show you, darling, and then we shall go downstairs and eat.”
What else could there be? Hadn’t she got everything she could possibly want in this apartment? Keeping hold of her hand he led her back into the corridor and across the passage-way.
“I remembered what you said about your baby being taken away and brought up in the nursery by a regiment of nannies and nursemaids. It’s what’s customary in a household such as this but I intend to set a precedent. I hope you approve.” This time he opened the door and stepped in with her.
He had converted this suite of rooms into a nursery wing. Here there was everything a new baby could possibly require. There was even a bathing room for the use of the nursery staff as well as the baby when he or she was old enough. The rooms were freshly plastered, each with a substantial grate, but no furniture or curtains had been installed as in her own domain.
“I thought you would like to choose for yourself how this will be decorated. The nanny’s room, the nursemaids’ room and the small kitchen for making nursery teas are finished; the furniture and fittings are the same as everywhere else in the staff quarters. But the rest I shall leave to you.”
“Are you saying I can have my baby with me down here? Can I also select those who will have charge of the infant in my absence?”
He frowned. “Did I not just say exactly that?”
“You did, but a while ago you said it would be your prerogative to select the nursery staff. I was just checking you had changed your mind.”
“Damn it, Isobel, must you keep throwing my idiocies back to me? I thought this was to be a new beginning—the past put behind us? How can we move on if you’re constantly reminding me of my failings?”
Flustered by his unexpected irritation she stepped back treading on the hem of her skirt. She lost her balance and even his lightning reactions were not quick enough to save her from a crashing fall. The air was knocked from her lungs and for a moment she gasped for breath like a fish landed on the riverbank.
“My God, let me get you upright—it will help you regain your breath.” He snapped his fingers and Ellie appeared, her eyes round with horror. “Downstairs. Go at once and have Watkins send for the physician.”
Slowly the band of pain around her chest eased, her breath rasped in her lungs and then she was breathing normally once more. “That was a stupid thing to do. I’ve almost fallen several times doing the same thing.” Experimentally she sat up away from the comfort of his support. “I believe with your assistance I can regain my feet. This tumble was not your fault, Alexander. I’ve been increasing long enough to remember I can’t move with the alacrity I used to.”
“Here, slip your arm around my neck and I shall carry you to your chamber. I think it would be wise to rest until the doctor can examine you. You fell heavily; it does not do to take chances, not at this stage of the pregnancy.”
He carried her back across the passage and into her splendid apartment. Her eyes prickled—she had ruined the day by her clumsiness. She would not argue, her back ached unpleasantly and she feared she had done herself a mischief in the fall. However, she had no intention of worrying Alexander until the physician had examined her.
Chapter Eighteen
Dr Jamieson stepped back, courteously turning away in order to allow Ellie to pull down the bed sheet. Isobel shuffled upright before attracting the venerable gentleman’s attention. “Doctor, is there any danger of my delivering prematurely?”
He smiled, his startlingly blue eyes twinkling. “If you’re asking me if the baby is going to arrive early because of your fall, then the answer is a categorical no. However, I must warn you, my lady, that you won’t go full term. I suggest you have everything in place for the middle of June not the first week in July.”
This was good news indeed, the sooner she was delivered the happier she’d be. “But the backache? I understood this could be a sign labour is imminent.”
“That is sometimes the case but not for you. The fall has put additional stress on your back muscles; it is that you can feel. I can assure you if you remain in your apartments for the next week the pain will go.”
“A week? I shall go mad from the inactivity. I like to walk every day and I’ve yet to see all the improvements that have been made here.”
He shook his head. “I must insist you rest. No doubt you’ve noticed your baby isn’t moving much at the moment. The accident will have put a strain on it. I’m sure you don’t wish any harm to come to your child through your inattention?”
“Of course I don’t, I shall do as you suggest. Do I have to remain in bed for the whole week or can I walk about in this part of the house?”
“Remain where you are for twenty four hours. When I see you tomorrow I will give my final decision. If the baby is active again, and your back is no longer painful, then walking around these rooms will be beneficial. Remember, your grace, absolutely no stairs until I give you leave.”
Her lips twitched, perhaps now was not a good time to tell him Alexander was in the habit of carrying her from floor to floor. “Please could you ask my husband to come through on your way out, Dr Jamieson?”
He bowed, collected his bag and moved briskly into her parlour. The sound of low male voices indicated he was being interrogated so there would be no need to repeat what she’d been told when Alexander came in to join her.
The physician gave her permission to get dressed when he called the following day and she did so forthwith. The infant was once more pummelling her stomach and from the strength of the kicks and punches she was convinced the baby would be a boy.