The Duke and I - Post Episode 8 stories

Baby Bassett

Upon their return to Clyvedon house that night, Daphne was left speechless once more at the scenery that lay before her. The entire foyer was filled with flowers of all sorts and colours, leaving nothing else to the eye but their beauty. She had cried happy tears as Simon paraphrased the words he once spoke to her during their ruse, "If I were truly courting you, I would need every flower within the ton, and much more than five minutes alone with you anywhere."

And every day that followed in the next four months, they learned more about the intimate details of one another, and fell deeper in love, as if they believed such a thing possible.

Daphne now sat in the rocking chair of the nursery, stroking her barely visible bump, as she reminisced on the day she realized she was with child.

It was just past dawn when her eyes suddenly burst open as she felt the inside of her stomach twist, and urge towards her throat. Not again she thought, jolting upright and out of the bed to the bucket that now rested on her bedside floor, emptying the contents of last night's meal. It had been a week since she had woken up like this, feeling nauseous and worn as if the day was ending rather than beginning. Simon stirred in the bed, clutching at the sheet on her side of the bed, his heart stopping for a moment until his eyes found her. He immediately rolled out of bed, and ushered to her side, holding her hair back while running his hand soothingly down her back. Daphne did not bother to tell him to go back to bed, as she had lost that argument for the past 6 mornings. He was persistent in his care for her wellbeing, always soothing her as she emptied her stomach, and carrying her to bed when she had fallen asleep in his arms throughout the day. He did his best not to leave her side for long, as he worried for her, and Daphne stubbornly refused to have the doctor come, always reasoning with her conditions as a result of food sensitivities or their sexual activities for draining her energy.

"Daphne, I can no longer see to your sickness, I am calling for the doctor today. Please let me, if not for your sake but mine," he pleaded, his eyes darkened by his lack of sleep, as he would lay awake after she dozed, making sure she was okay.

As much as she detested the idea, she agreed, "If it will give you a peace of mind, send for him, as I would like my husband to sleep as much as I do." Bringing her hand up to his cheek, she slowly stroked her thumb across the smoothness of his skin. He melted at her touch, closing his eyes as he wished her to be healthy as she was a week ago. It pained her to see him worry so gravely. Ever since the sickness had come, Simon had become withdrawn from everything around him, his sole focus on her. During their quiet moments together, Daphne could see that he was there physically, but that his mind was running wild with fear, and she knew he had reason to do so. This was why she did not wish to see a doctor, because she was afraid of something truly being wrong, and the devastation it would cause Simon would kill her to bear witness to.

"Thank you," he whispered softly. "I shall send for Rose to help you ready for the day, Lady Danbury is arriving later."

"Thank you love. I look forward to spending time with her and learning a trick or two for our card nights," she smiled, trying her best to bring colour back to her cheeks.

"Maybe you will learn something valuable enough to beat me," he teased. But before she could respond, Rose had entered. Simon kissed her once, and then again more passionately, as if he was afraid it would be the last time, then left to dress before heading to his study.

Later that day, Daphne and Lady Danbury were taking a stroll through the gardens with their afternoon teas, as Simon tended to an urgent matter in his study. She was feeling better now, breathing in the crisp air of autumn while learning more of Simon's childhood. Any time Lady Danbury offered a chance to hear of his early years, Daphne perked up, eager to know all that she can about her husband. One of her favourite stories was when Lady Danbury would have Simon brush her hair before bed, as she sung to him, and one day, he sung along. It was the first time she had heard him repeat that many words in a row, and claims her heart grew two sizes that night as the pride encapsulated her.