Page 78 of The Viscount and the Vixen
“We’ll see to her,” Minerva offered as both she and Julia pushed back their chairs and stood. Ashe, Edward, and his father were quick to follow.
“She won’t want to interrupt your breakfast,” he insisted.
“If it’s what I think it is—a lady’s condition—I doubt she’ll want you charging in there either.”
A lady’s condition?The meaning of those words slammed into him. Of course. Her menses. He’d given no thought to the fact that they’d been together for nearly a month now and he’d been able to enjoy her every night. Minerva was correct. Avoiding this aspect of marriage was appealing, as he’d not considered that marriage meant being with a woman during her time. “All right. Yes. I’d appreciate you seeing to her.”
“Very good.” Minerva gave her attention to Cullie. “Bring some tea with honey and some crackers to her Ladyship’s bedchamber.”
The ladies disappeared through the doorway. The gentlemen retook their chairs.
“You looked a bit ill yourself there for a moment,” Edward said.
“She doesn’t get ill, so I was a concerned.”
“You’re beginning to care for her,” his father said, his smile nearly a gloat.
“Don’t be ridiculous. She serves a purpose, nothing more.” He reached for his coffee, noticed his fingers trembling, and returned his hand to his lap. His reaction had nothing to do with any warm feelings he might have toward her, but merely the inconvenient timing of the situation. Still as the others began talking, he couldn’t stop looking at the archway and wishing that he’d been the one to go to her.
“Why didn’t you tell him what you truly suspect?” Julia asked as they headed up the stairs.
“Because it’s not my place to tell him, but based on your question, I’m assuming you think the same thing.” Minerva had suspected it from the moment she’d been introduced to Portia. One of the reasons that she was so very skilled at cheating was that she was so very good at reading people and situations. Portia had a glow to her that had nothing to do with marital bliss.
When they reached the last door, she rapped briskly on the wood, waited until Portia bade them to come in, then turned the knob. They entered to find their hostess curled in a fetal position, her face pale, her eyes dull.
“Oh, I thought you were Cullie,” she said, pushing herself up.
“Don’t get up,” Minerva said, rushing over and pressing her back down. “We only wanted to check on you, not disturb you. Your maid said you’re not feeling well.”
“When I’m moving about I get a bit nauseous. I thought resting for a while might help.”
Minerva beamed at Julia, who nodded.
“My incapacitation is hardly worth grinning over,” Portia said somewhat grumpily.
“We’re smiling because you’re exhibiting signs of being with child,” Minerva told her.
Portia shook her head. “It’s too soon.”
Julia moved around the bed, lowered herself to the mattress, and took Portia’s hand. “When was your last menses?”
Minerva had never known anyone who looked so reluctant to answer a question, but then some ladies were embarrassed by their bodies’ needs and functions. She, herself, had never been particularly shy, but she understood their prying might not be particularly welcomed, in spite of its good intentions.
“I can’t remember.” Portia blinked several times, pressed her lips together, as though she was striving to solve a difficult answer on a quiz. “Sometime before I arrived here.”
“And you’ve been married for a month,” Julia said softly. “I would say there is a good chance you are with child, wouldn’t you, Minerva?”
“I would, yes.” She, too, sat on the edge of the bed and clasped Portia’s hand. The new viscountess looked positively frightened, as though she’d been caught doing something she ought not.
“But the nausea... isn’t it too soon?”
“I was nearly two months along when I began to feel ill but I think all women are different,” Julia said. “What about you, Minerva?”
“I agree, we’re all different.”
Julia laughed. “No, I mean when did you experience nausea?”
“Nearly right from the start. Have you had any other signs, Portia?”
