The Duke's Daughter (Editing)

Chapter Twenty Seven

AUGUST 1916

                 Lovely Lenny,

                        I've finally regrained enough to strength to return back to Northumberland. Henry and I plan to arrive within the week. From what I have heard, it seems Livingstone has turned into a hospital, things have changed. I can't wait to see you, Lenny. There's so many things I need to tell you about. 

                                                          Always Yours,

                                                               Gil

       I suppose you could say I jumped for joy when I got the news of Gil's upcoming arrival. The house was always busy and helped my mind not think of him, but now knowing that Gil was returning, nothing could stop me from thinking about it.  I ran to Elisa and told her the news of our men returning home. Her eyes grew wide and she began to get a little red in the face.

     "What's the matter? I thought you would be happy." I said looking at her with concern.

     "Oh I am," Elisa blushed, "It's just--well there's something I haven't been completely honest with."

     "Elisa are you--"

    "I'm pregnant."

    I was very dumbounded with the big news Elisa had just bombarded me with, yet I was very happy for her. "How many months?"

    "About a month and half." She smiled. I drew her in for a hug. My dear, sweet Elisa was going to be a mother. 

     Once I told my mother of Gil's return, she couldn't help but say, "Well I can't wait to meet the boy who won my daughter's heart." 

   "I'm sorry?" We both turned around to see my grandmother eyeing suspiciously, "Did I hear you correctly?"

    "Grandmother, I--"

    "Has he asked for your hand?" Grandmother asked coldly.

    "No." I whispered.

   "Good. Do you realize that if you were ever to have Gilmore as your husband it will hurt our family? He is not of high birth." 

    "But Grandmother--"

   "Silence!" Grandmother rose her hand, "Do not even try to change my mind, because you won't be able to." She walked away angrily.

   "Well be happy that Henrietta has been out for business or she would be tearing you to pieces." Mother assured me.

   "Well it's a good thing I arrived in time." Just as if on cue there was Henrietta there, "Didn't I warn you, Lenora?"

   "Aunt Henrietta, please--"

   "You should've listened to me, child!" She yelled.

   "Do not speak to my daughter in that matter, do you understand me?" Mother scolded Aunt Henrietta. Tears ran down my face. "Leave this instant!" And with that Aunt Henrietta stomped off.

   Mother held me in her arms as I cried. I knew Grandmother was right about Gil, but that didn't change the fact that I honestly loved him. What was I going to do when he came back? I couldn't ignore him, it would break his heart. No, there must be something that could be done. I just didn't know at the time.

   "You know, when your father asked me to marry him," Mother started, "My first thought was that I didn't deserve him because he obviously was educated and had more money than me. But he didn't care. You're father loved me and I loved him. We sacrificed so much, yet we were so happy even if had nothing." I looked up at her and shes stroked my hair, "Even though things are difficult, love will when at the end. Just wait."