The Crown

30. Force of a woman

The other families had caught wind of Victoria's demands about Gulliver and the court. Many were impressed a woman had that much courage to stand up against the leaders of these games. But her mother always told her no one comes between a woman and her baby. So , it was inevitable Victoria would be this protective over little Johnathan. Once, Francis heard her demands he was proud that she like a Queen should was taking charge. He watched from the window of his office as she carried Johnathan round the gardens talking to him about the flowers that inhabited the House Demure grounds. Regardless of his milk drunk state she continued as if he was hanging on her every word.

As, the servants and maids passed her in the grounds they nodded their head or curtseyed to acknowledge her. Making her smile slightly at the fact she was being treated with respect by some people. Even if it was their job. Gulliver watched her also from his window as she continued her walk to the duck pond outside his house. She had wandered all the way over as she wanted to show the one month old Johnathan the ducks she visited every morning during the dark time of her life after the attack of the Valois. The ducklings came out of the water and waddled over to Victoria's feet as she sat on a bench rocking Johnathan.

"Oh , look Johnny the little ducklings have come to see you." Victoria says as Johnathan opens his eyes slightly still in a very milk drunk state

"Hello , ducklings this is Johnathan Teller. He is my beautiful little baby boy and I love him." Victoria says gazing down at his little face

" He will break a few hearts in court If he keeps this fair haired and blue eye look going when he is older." Victoria jokes as a few of the ducklings quack in response.

A tear fell from Gulliver's eye as he watched Victoria pour her heart out to the ducklings and a sleeping Johnathan. He felt horrible for what he had done it was purely selfish. But he loved seeing the caring nature of Victoria blossom as the days and weeks went on looking after Johnathan. He had dabbled with the idea of taking Johnathan at the dead of night when she would least expect it. Taking him straight to the nurse they had waiting. But to see the way the woman looked at him he could cause her more heartache. He watched as she spoke to him as if he was speaking back to her. He could tear himself away from the window watching her excitedly speak to the ducklings about what her and Johnathan had been up to that day. He watched her as she bid farewell to the ducks as it was coming close to Johnathan's bed time. He watched as she walked away beaming still chatting to Johnathan as if they were holding a normal conversation. Even though he was very much asleep in her arms. Snuggled into her as the gentle breeze tickled the pair of them. But in all honesty He was not watching because it was passing the time. He was not watching by accident. He was watching her because he was selfishly wishing that baby snuggled in her arms against her breasts was his.