Duchess of Winter

The Wedding

The planning of Lady Louise's wedding to Jean took a month to make.  Although Agatha still resents her sister for having "seduced" him and she still plans to make Jean's life a living hell fo awhile. She agreed to stay and be part of it all due to the constant pleads of His Grace. 

The Duke had gave word to Wintersby Manor that they would be staying at  Provance until the summer lasted. He had never been happier all his life. He had asked Arthur Willows to take over for awhile as he had plans for the Orchard and was enjoying life in the country with his beautiful wife.

"Good morning my love." he whispered to her as she lay next to him. The early morning sun peeking into the room from the balcony window. 

She did not look and smiled up to him like she always did every morning. Perhaps still tiresome from their love making the whole night.

She tried to open an eye then another as she frown at something. All of a sudden she stood running fast to the bathroom. 

The Duke peeked into the bathroom as he dressed into his dressing robe confused. And found her bending over the toilet vomiting her head out.

He tried to comfort her by rubbing her back. But it would not subside. He helped her into a new sleeping gown, helped her into bed. Knowing that she might be coming up with something. He asked the butler to call a doctor. 

"Was it something you ate?" He asked her as she lay on the bed as pale as the linens. 

"It could not be" Agatha protested. " I have not even found myself with the appetite these past few days! Moreso eat what I have not been fond off?" Noting to herself that the only thing she had found she been able to swallow was a dry baguette and the cook's soup which seemed to cant get enough lately. And even found herself in the kitchen late at night as Ernest slept.

"I have to be ready myself!"As she remembered what day it was. And even though they resented each other. She still loves Louise and had promised to be matron of honor. Louise had chosen a ghastly gown for her to wear. And the modiste will be coming in that day to take her measurements.

"You cannot go looking like that!" The Duke reprimanded her. He was right. She could hardly get out of bed. As the room swirled around her and her back ache so much.

He stayed with her and cancelled his previous appointements 

Her mother came by to see what had happened to her daughter. 

She asked the same intolerable question to what she ate.

"Did you get your monthly flow?" She asked as she opened the balcony windows to let fresh air into the room. 

The Duke raised an eyebrow at Lady Wintersby's inquiry of her daughter.

Agatha's green eyes widened like big green gems as she had realized what her mother had meant to say. She had lost count. Almost two months now that she had not witness it herself. Her mother smiled at the reaction on her face. 

"How long has it been?" She lovingly asked her daughter as she felt for Agatha's belly as she lay there unable to fathom the inevitable.

" A...a month or two?" Lady Wintersby smiled  and nodded as she had known it without doubt. A small rounded bump can be felt on her daughter's otherwise flat abdomen.

"Do not worry." She said to looking up to  him. "It is nothing serious."

He pulled his brows together. 

"How can you be sure My Lady?" He sounded worried. And looked  half terrified of her words.

" Congratulations Your Grace." She smiled at him. "You are about to become a father."