The Harlot's Daughter

Chapter Three

Closing the kitchen door behind her, Margaret walked out into the bright, warm sunshine, lifting her gaze to take in the clear, pale blue sky. Inhaling a deep breath of fresh, crisp autumn air, Margaret checked her progress, stepping carefully down the steep back steps, her grip on Daniel tight and secure.

Reaching the ground, Margaret stopped to tuck Daniel's blanket tighter around him, tsking as he insisted on kicking it right back off. Margaret adjusted her hold bringing the babe up to rest his head on her shoulder as she followed the walk around to the Duchess' garden. The duo was quickly met upon the pathway by the groomsman who cared for the Duke's coaches.

"I thought ye might want to walk about a bit more stylishly, Miss Margaret." Henry pushed a white woven antiquated pram on the pathway out ahead of him. His dark hair, shot through with distinguishing grey, was shorn in an extremely, short style. His lack of hair serving to emphasize his jovial jowls and his ruddy cheeks, as the older man smiled proudly at her in greeting. "I came across this in my search of the rafters t' other day, it took a bit to clean 'er up, but she now appears to be good as new." Henry looked to the fancy carriage he brought around, pushing it back and forth to illustrate his point Though it emitted a small squeak at one point, Henry hoped Margaret would be as pleased as he had been upon finding the item.

Margaret could see Henry's evident joy in being able to gift her with the luxurious pram for Daniel. "Could it be Lady Arianna's?" Margaret thought that the baby carriage might hold sentimental value, or, mayhap, Lady Arianna would wish to save it for when her babe was born. She may not appreciate Henry loaning it out to the help in the meantime.

"I asked her, Miss Margaret." Henry smiled widely, his dark eyes sparkling with assurance as he held to the handle. He pushed it forward; then he pulled it back, the small squeaks growing fainter as the oil Henry applied to the wheels worked it's way deeper into the metal sleeves. "The Countess told me you are welcome to use it whilst ye are here, that it would be good for ye to advise me if it needs any further care." Henry continued rolling the pram as he encouraged her to accept the loan of the buggy. "It seems to roll about nicely, Miss Margaret, but you could give it a bit of use an' tell me if its up to snuff."

"I would not mind at all, in that case," Margaret inspected the carriage, running her hand along the top edge, "It appears perfect. However, I believe I will need another blanket, Henry." She smiled mischievously, knowing the man only awaited an offer. "Would you be so kind as to hold Daniel for a moment while I go and retrieve his quilt?" Margaret liked the older groomsman very much. He often sat, enjoying his last cup 'o tea in the kitchen, as he called it, many an evening. He was one of many in the household who spoiled young Daniel with much attention and praise.

"Aye, I would be most happy to, Miss." Henry held his arms out for the babe, as Margaret approached him, looking down to fuss with Daniel's blankets yet again.

Henry only had eyes for the small lad, as he took the wee babe up and into his arms. "We will wait for your mother right here, won't we, Danny boy?"

Margaret's smile remained as she entered the duke's home. Dashing through the kitchen, she ascended the servant's stairs quickly, making her way to the third landing. While Margaret knew that Daniel was in good hands, she still felt the need to hurry, in the instance that Daniel should begin to cry, or, in case he became an inconvenience to Henry in any way. Drawing the quilt she used for the babe quickly from the back of a chair, Margaret turned and swiftly descending the stairs just as fast as she had climbed them. Letting herself out the kitchen door again, she returned to where the pair awaited her.

Smiling indulgently at the jolly groomsman and the small, squirming bundle he held, Margaret folded the quilt in quarters and bent to fussily line the carriage with it before she stood and stepped back, allowing Henry the honor of placing Daniel within.