Page 65 of An Arranged Betrothal with a Contrite Duke
“This is for you, Lady Strawbridge,” she said.
Lydia took the picture from the girl, noticing that she has come a long way from the shy, embarrassed child Lydia had first met. Lydia patted her on the head, taking the picture from her and smiling sweetly at the girl.
“This is beautiful,” she said. “Thank you very much, Sally.”
Next was Teresa, who beamed at Lydia as she always did, but she seemed much more contained and grown up. She held out the doily she had been working on when Lydia first met her, giving Lydia a precious curtsey.
“And I wanted to give you this,” she said. “Miss Carrick and I finished it months ago, but I wanted to save it for a special occasion and present it to you. It’s because of your school that I was able to finish learning everything I needed to learn to make this. So, I want you to have it.”
Lydia’s eyes filled with fresh tears.
“That is very sweet of you, Teresa,” she said, examining the pale red doily. “And it turned out to be very beautiful.”
Teresa beamed with pride. Then, she took her place with the other children while Lydia continued receiving hugs and little gifts from several others. The presents ranged from more drawings to little poems, and even a little straw doll that was given to her for the baby. Lydia’s heart was filled with love and happiness, and she felt overcome with emotion.
“Thank you all for coming today,” she said, addressing her guests. “And thank you all for the wonderful gifts. I cannot think of a single way that today could be any better. I love you all very dearly.”
Mary and Bryony next took turns embracing her.
“We brought gifts, as well,” Bryony said. “But they came in the form of cakes and punch, for your anniversary picnic.”
Mary led Lydia to a seat and with Michael’s help, helped Lydia sit carefully. Then, she reached into one of the baskets laid out on the blanket and pulled out two cakes. One had pink frosting, and the other one had white. And then, she produced a big glass jar of orange mint punch.
Lydia smiled at her friends as Michael took the cakes and began serving them to everyone, starting with Lydia.
“Thank you both,” she said. “It was enough to just have you both here.”
Bryony shrugged.
“We are thrilled to be here,” she said. “And we will also take any excuse to eat a good cake.”
Everyone laughed.
Everyone enjoyed the festivities, laughing and playing games in the sunshine. As the hours passed, however, Lydia felt a sudden twinge of pain. Her eyes widened in realization, and she tried to think quickly of what to do without causing a scene.
“Michael,” she whispered urgently. “I believe the baby is coming.”
Michael looked at her with wide eyes. He set aside his plate and rose to his feet, glancing at their guests. He was clearly thinking the same thing Lydia was, and she glanced pointedly at Mary and Bryony. He nodded, giving them meaningful looks.
“I believe that Lydia needs to go inside now,” he said. His voice was calm, but his words were intense and pointed. “The two of you and the children may stay and enjoy the picnic as long as you like, of course, and we are so glad to have spent the afternoon with all of you.”
Mary and Bryony caught on at once as Lydia hid a grimace from the children. They both rose, herding the children to them promptly.
“All right, children,” they said. “Why don’t we go play down by the lake for a while? We can come back and finish the picnic in a little while.”
The children didn’t seem out of phase by the sudden change of activity. Lydia held her own until the children were out of sight. Then, she looked at Michael with a weak smile.
“The baby is definitely coming,” she said.
Without a moment's hesitation, Michael scooped her up in his strong arms and rushed her back to the Manor. The midwife was hastily summoned, and as Lydia was ushered into their bedroom, Michael began pacing anxiously outside the door.
Lydia saw the midwife turn back through the door before she closed it.
“Do not worry, Lord Strawbridge,” she said. “Your wife and child will be just fine.”
Michael peeked in at Lydia and blew her a kiss. She returned it just in time for the midwife to gently close the door.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the midwife rose with a wrapped bundle in her arms. She slowly walked over to Lydia, holding the bundle in one arm while she wiped Lydia’s face with a cloth with the other.
