Seven Months Later

Miriam was relieved when she arrived at Charity’s home. It felt like it took forever to get from one house to another, especially with the weather they had been experiencing lately. It was mid-November, and the heavens had decided it was time to open. The rain had barely stopped for the past week, but Miriam was determined to keep her promise of coming down to be with her sister during the latter stages of her pregnancy.

At least they weren’t going to be in London. Felton had said he would need to make trips into the city, but he was happy for Charity to stay at their country home for her confinement. There was less stress there, and things were still a little unsettled in London with Lord Brixton’s trial. Felton wanted to keep Charity away as much as possible.

Miriam felt another surge of rage when she thought about the earl who had almost killed her brother-in-law. He deserved to be hanged for what he had done. But because of his connections, Brixton had managed to get a judge to agree that he would be sent to Australia as a convict, on the condition he never returned to England. Logan, his manservant, had been given the same deal, but to America. Brixton’s title would be stripped from him and he would be left with nothing, but he would keep his life. That he hadn’t agreed to, from what Felton had told Miriam and Charity, but it was either that or he would be hanged.

The ordeal would finally be over by Christmas when his ship set sail. But the chaos in London was still going on. Brixton had decided to name those who were very involved in his depraved activities, trying to bring down as many people as possible. Everyone was very upset about it, and a few blamed Felton for raising the issue in the first place. But Felton stood by what he had done. It was either that, or he’d be just as bad as Brixton, and that didn’t sit well with him.

Her brother-in-law had focused his energy on his new family instead of the negativity of Brixton’s trial. Charity had settled down well as Baroness Berkeley, and between Felton and Miriam’s father, they had managed to pay off the majority of his debts. There was only one left, and that was almost finished with. Felton would be going into the New Year debt-free. He still played cards, but he never played for money. Charity said they played for something else when they played cards together. Miriam didn’t want to know what.

It would be nice to spend time with her sister for a while before going down to London to join her parents, and then back again for Charity’s labor after Christmas. Her sister wanted her there, and Miriam wasn’t about to deny her that. She was just hoping she got inside without getting too wet.

The carriage finally pulled up outside Felton’s house, and it was still pouring down. Miriam groaned. She was not looking forward to this. A footman hurried out of the house, hunched over in the rain, and opened the door for her. Thanking him, Miriam quickly got out and ran inside. But even the short distance from the carriage to the house had her drenched through. Standing in the foyer, Miriam took off her bonnet and shook the water from it. At least that had kept most of her hair dry, although she could feel the cold seeping through her coat. She hated rain.

“You look one step away from a drowned rat.”

Miriam looked up, her heart missing a beat when she saw James Ferrill walking across the foyer, watching her with an easy smile. She hadn’t realized he was here as well. Then again, seeing as he was practically family, Mr Ferrill was always around.

“Mr Ferrill. I…” Miriam cleared her throat. What was it about this man that made her fumble over her words? “I didn’t realize you were going to be here.”

“Felton invited me for lunch.” Mr Ferrill arched an eyebrow. “Did you not want to see me?”

“No! That’s not what I meant. I…” Miriam groaned. “Forgive me, I didn’t mean to sound rude. I just wasn’t expecting you.”

“No need to apologize. You’re more polite than some people I’ve come across.”

Miriam could imagine. Being an illegitimate son didn’t open many doors, or engender much hospitality from certain people. But Miriam didn’t see an illegitimate child when she looked at Mr Ferrill; she saw a man. A very handsome one who made her feel like a carefree girl again. They had talked for several hours at Charity’s wedding, and Mr Ferrill seemed to have eyes only for her. A few of the young ladies who had been in attendance hadn’t appeared to be impressed that Miriam monopolized Mr Ferrill’s time, but Miriam never encouraged it. He just didn’t want to break away.

Miriam thought about that day often. She hadn’t seen him since then, which had disappointed her greatly. Maybe that day hadn’t been as good for him as it had been for her. But looking at him now, with his smile and the twinkle in his eyes, it was like no time had passed.

She needed to slow down. This didn’t mean anything. She had to maintain her composure.

“I presume you’re going to be around when Charity goes into labor?” Mr Ferrill asked.

“Hmm? Oh, yes.” Miriam shook herself. Then she handed her bonnet to the footman, who was still dripping wet from going outside and allowed the servant to help take her coat off. “Charity wants me to help out. Mother will be along closer to the time.”

“Felton told me about that. I’m glad all I need to do is keep Felton in another room during the labor.”

Miriam couldn’t help but roll her eyes with a smile.

“Men. You have no idea how much women go through to give you children. You think it’s so easy.”

“I never said it was easy.” Mr Ferrill’s smile faded and a shadow passed across his face. “That part of having a baby is never easy. Everything before it, though…”

Oh, God.

She had messed up. Miriam winced and wished that the ground would open up and swallow her whole.

“Forgive me, I didn’t mean to sound so crude about it, given your circumstances.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong.” Mr Ferrill gave a half-hearted shrug. “I guess, even after all these years, it’s still a sore point for me.”

Miriam could understand. Mr Ferrill’s father might say he acknowledged his son, but from what Miriam had heard, his attitude about James Ferrill was pretty much out of sight and out of mind. That had to hurt. Miriam didn’t think she would be able to manage if her parents did that to her. She reached out and touched his arm.

“If you ever want to talk, you know where to find me.”

He looked at her, and Miriam almost forgot how to breathe. There was something in his eyes that grabbed onto her and held on tight. Then it was gone, and Mr Ferril gave her a nod.

“I will. Thank you, Miss Miriam.” He glanced over his shoulder at the sound of footsteps. “Your sister is here. I’ll leave you to it.”

Miriam found herself watching him as he walked away. She couldn’t help herself. He just drew her eye no matter what he was doing. There was a polite cough and Miriam jumped. Charity was standing beside her, watching her with amusement.

“Finished, have you?”

“Oh, I…” Miriam felt her face getting warm. “I wasn’t…”

Charity laughed. Pregnancy looked good on her, from her glowing skin to her very swollen belly. Miriam would not be surprised if there was more than one baby in her sister’s belly. But Charity had taken the pregnancy in her stride, and she looked happy about it.

Miriam hoped she could get that for herself.

“Oh, Miriam, if you could see the look on your face right now.” Charity linked arms with her. “Come with me. I need to get off my feet. If you want, I’ll have Mrs Hall fetch the bath so you can get yourself warm after being out in the rain.”

Miriam smiled. That sounded like a really good idea.

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