The Earls lie or a scoundrels promise

First she had to decide

Chapter 16 - first she had to decide

The next weeks passed idly by. Lizzie would ride a lot, and in whatever she chose to wear, Blake insisted she borrow some of his clothes if she would prefer, and on regular occasions she did. Tho they were much to big for her. Misty came with her to their new home, and Blake had fitted her out a whole new stable filled with excellent stock as Part of a wedding gift.

One afternoon she returned from visiting the local town. She liked to visit weekly and talk to the locals, she was sure she could remember almost everyone's name. They would wave and tell her eagerly about their family when she would enquire, but the wind had picked up and the sky began to grow darker earlier each day.

When she returned she took Misty to the stable and entered her home through a side door, she made it as far as the foyer when she felt the uncomfortable feeling of being watched. She had become increasingly aware of this disturbing stillness which had snuck up on her several times. She looked at the portraits that lined the walls, there eyes seemed to follow her. She shuddered.

She made her way upstairs to change before her husband found her dirty and smelling of horse. Upon entering her room, laying on the bed was a small box. Black with a pale, lemon yellow ribbon tied in a perfect bow. She pulled one end of the ribbon and it fell away gracefully. She lifted the lid and what lay within surprised her beyond words. A silver rattle lay shining in the last of the daylight. Not from her husband then.

It had to be from her sister, she is the only other person who knew about her secret. Why then had she chosen to send such a gift? When she had written in return to her news her sister had promised to keep it to herself until the news was known. Her hand instantly dropped protectively to her tummy. Lizzie jumped as Mary threw the door open unaware Lizzie was in the room.

'Ah Mary, wonderful I was just about to send for you, do you know who sent this gift?' Mary looked puzzled. 'Gift, My Lady?' Lizzie sealed the lid in place and lifted the box with the yellow ribbon dripping off it.

'yes this one, it was on the bed. I assume you brought it up?'
Mary shook her head 'sorry ma'am, was'not me. P'haps his lordship?'She knew it certainly was not from Blake'It is of no matter' it must have been Victoria...  'I need to bathe and change''yes, my Lady.' ' Please Mary, please don't call me that. I rather liked it when I was Miss Elizabeth.'
'I can't be callin you that now ma'am. You are a Lady now, a countess! an rightly should be called so.'
'Thank you for coming with me. I would feel a little lost without some friendly faces.'
'It's me that should be givin ya fanks, I never fought I'd make it to lady's maid'

She headed toward the door to draw her a bath, and Lizzie was alone once more. She looked at the beautiful, expensive, gift in her hands and the feeling of unease washed over her. No one except two knew of her pregnancy. One being herself, the other her sister.
She climbed into the warm water and eyed the box, the beautiful pale lemon ribbon. It had to be from Victoria, it couldn't be from anyone else. She would write to thank her.

Once she was clean and dry she tucked the gift away, at the back of her bureau, she didn't want her husband finding out before she was ready to tell him. She was sure he would be thrilled with the news, but just one more week, so she was certain.
Although the increasing of her size was little, it was noticeable to herself, her dresses fitted a little snugger as her breasts grew tender and larger than before, even h
Blake had noticed. He'd commented only that morning as he taunted her nipples with his mouth, swearing the fullness of her breasts was heavier in his hand than before, before he took it upon himself to inspect and kiss every inch of each breast until she was squirming. He taunted her until she took it upon herself to flip him to his back, and ride him until they both found their release. It wouldn't be long before he noticed her growing belly too.