Page 9 of Annabelle Enchants the Rejected Earl
“Oh my goodness, Beatrice you look wonderful,” she gasped. “It is so lovely to have youhome.”
The sisters embraced like it was the most natural thing in the world. It was not something that they ever really did beforehand, but the time apart had caused them to miss one another terribly. Annabelle’s eyes even welled up as she realized just how much she enjoyed having her sister back, even if it would only betemporary.
“So,” Annabelle choked out, trying to distract herself before emotion got the better of her. “I hear you have somenews?”
“I do, actually.” Beatrice glanced around to check that the girls were alone. “I was going to tell everyone all together, but I think I would rather tell you first.” She paused dramatically for a second, pumping up the tension. Annabelle could practically hear her heart thumping in her ears. “I am having ababy.”
“You... you are?” Annabelle was left speechless as she glanced down at her sister’s flat belly, which gave nothing away. “You are having ababy?”
Annabelle knew a little bit abouthowthat had happened, she was not completely naïve to how the world worked, but what she could not work out was how that happened with her sister and the older man she married, the one she did not look impressed with at all at the ceremony. Had theyactually...?
“Yes,” Beatrice smiled again, looking more serene and blissful than Annabelle had ever seen her in a deep emerald coloured dress that she had never worn before. It must have been a gift from her new husband. “Is that not wonderfulnews?”
“Yes, of course. I guess...” Annabelle did not even know how to form her question, but she needed to find outsomehow. “I did not know you wanted to have children.” It was not the best way to find out how Beatrice had ended up pregnant, but it was the best Annabelle could come upwith.
“Of course.” Beatrice rubbed her stomach delicately. “That is what happens after amarriage.”
Following the rules until the bitter end, that was so much like Beatrice it actually made Annabelle smile. "Well, then I am very happy for you. It is wonderfulnews."
“Thank you so much, it means a lot to me that you are excited to become an auntie. I am going to tell mother and father about the baby in a moment, do you want to come withme?”
Annabelle did not want to see her father’s face again, not today. Plus, the need to plan had become even more prominent now. Thinking about what happenedafter marriagecaused an involuntary shiver to tear up and down her spine. She would not be creating any babies with a man who spent time with courtesans, that was forcertain.
“I will let you tell them your good news alone,” she said while clinging onto her sister’s hands. “But we should spend some more time together afterwards. You can tell me more about your new life... MrsUrwin.”
Beatrice looked blissful, not at all disgusted by her husband’s name anymore. A whole lot had changed in the last few weeks and Annabelle could not wait to find outmore.
“I will, Annabelle, that soundslovely.”
