Page 2 of The Twelve Days of Love

Caroline’s smile faded, a panicked look suddenly crossing her face. Luke knew exactly what that meant and leaped from the bed. Retrieving a basin, he rushed it back just in time as his wife vomited in it.

She looked up, smiling sheepishly. “Well, if we weren’t certain before, we certainly are now. You know two things about me. My courses are extremely regular—and I always am nauseated in the mornings during the early months of increasing.”

He took the bowl from her and returned it to the table. Wetting a cloth, he gently wiped her mouth with it and then kissed her softly.

“Are you up to going to Evie’s today?” he asked.

“Pish-posh,” she said, waving her hand in the air. “Now that has occurred, I am feeling fit as a fiddle. Besides, you know I like to check on things one last time before we depart for the country.”

“Then we should dress and breakfast. You know all the children will want to go to Evie’s.”

Caroline smiled. “They are as comfortable among the books there as they are in our homes. I do love seeing them eating Mrs. Stinch’s scones and wandering the aisles, discovering new books.”

Luke kissed her. “Why don’t you let me have a tray sent up and you breakfast in peace and quiet? I will go to the nursery and eat with the troops.”

They made it a practice to eat in the schoolroom each morning with their four children. It was Luke’s favorite time of day, starting his morning with them and hearing them chatter about the upcoming day.

“Would you?” she asked. “I think I would rather like spoiling myself and breakfasting in bed.”

“I will see to it now.”

Luke summoned his valet and a footman. He gave instructions to the footman as to what to order for Caroline’s breakfast, knowing when she was in this state that she preferred a poached egg and one piece of toast with weak tea.

Once dressed, he ventured upstairs to the nursery, where Thomas and Edgar were playing with blocks and Lucy was reading to Cora and her doll.

“Papa!” they all cried, racing to him and clinging to his legs.

He swung Thomas into his arms and soundly kissed him and then did the same for each child.

When Lucy’s turn came, he smacked her cheek and she said, “I think I may be too old for this, Papa.”

“For kisses from me?”

She smiled shyly. “No, I do like your kisses. But perhaps you should leave me on the ground and bend to kiss my cheek instead,” she suggested.

A ripple of sadness ran through him as he realized Lucy was growing up too fast.

He smoothed her hair. “All right. In the future, I will do as you ask.” He turned to the others. “Let us go eat some breakfast, children.”

They went across the hall to the schoolroom, where two maids were removing plates and cups of milk from two trays. Everyone took their places around the table.

“Where’s Mama?” Edgar asked.

“Mama is fine. She and I were out very late last night since it was the final night of the Season. I decided to let her get a little extra sleep.”

“But won’t she get hungry?” Cora asked, looking worried.

“I took care of that, my little love, and had a breakfast tray sent up for her so it will be there when she awakens.”

“Are we going to Evie’s today?” asked Lucy. “We’ve done so the last two years after the Season ended. And then we’ve gone to the country.”

“That is the plan,” Luke told them. “Today, we will accompany Mama to Evie’s so she can make certain everything will run well in her absence. Tomorrow, we will leave for Fairhaven.”

“Can I ride my pony?” Cora asked. “You promised.”

He chuckled. “I remember. You did very well last year. I think Thomas may join you for lessons this autumn.”

Thomas, who had been more interested in his eggs and ham until now, looked up and grinned. “I like ponies,” he declared.

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