Devil of Mine: Most Imprudent Matches - A Prequel Novella by Ally Hudson

Author:Ally Hudson [Hudson, Ally]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Busy Nothings Books
Published: 2024-05-07T00:00:00+00:00

Twelve

RYCLIFFE PLACE, LONDON - AUGUST 30, 1807

It shouldn’t have come as a surprise. As often as there were seven- and eight-month babies in the ton, there was an equal number of ladies who took months, even years, to conceive. But the familiar, entirely unpleasant sensation that marked the beginning of that time that came midnote at the pianoforte still shook me.

If Davina noticed when I faltered, she gave no indication of it. Though, as usual, she wasn’t particularly interested in her music lessons. I could hardly blame her. I wasn’t anything like qualified to teach. But she’d chased off another governess last week and I’d volunteered in a desperate attempt to prevent the inevitable bloodshed should Her Grace take up the mantle. Every day since, she’d been deposited at my doorstep for her lessons.

Unfortunately, I hadn’t accounted for this type of bloodshed. “Excuse me,” I whispered, slipping from the room without explanation. I managed the halls as swiftly as I could without drawing attention, then finally pressed my back against the door to the rooms Gabriel and I shared.

Even though I knew what I’d find when I tugged up the layers of skirts, something inside my belly still dropped when I felt the familiar dampness of my chemise and pulled my hand away to find a smear of red.

I’d been prepared. Four weeks ago, I had made my regular preparations at the usual time. I hadn’t even allowed the thought for another sennight, after which it became impossible to keep my suspicions at bay.

But each morning with no familiar staining on my chemise gave rise to expectations, to hope. All of which had just been dashed by a single soiled strip of linen. I swallowed back the swirl of sentiment rising in my throat before pulling the bell. I quite liked the lace on this chemise and Jane would need to work quickly if it was to be salvaged.

The petite maid arrived quickly and with a sharp knock, unused to my summons at this time of day.

“How can I help you, madam?” she asked when I opened the door.

“I need to change. A new chemise, if you please.”

The girl blinked slowly at me for a moment before jumping into action when comprehension dawned. “Oh dear, of course. Right away.”

“This one will need to be laundered today.”

“Yes, yes,” she answered, pulling a chemise from the chest of drawers and my other necessities from a trunk by my toilette before coming around to my back to make short work of the buttons, petticoats, stays, and stained chemise without comment.

Once I was settled into my chemise, she asked, “Do you need help with your dress?”

“No, thank you. I’d like to rest. If you could call for the carriage and let Lady Davina know I have a headache and she is released from lessons for the day, it would be most appreciated.”

“Right away. And we can treat this stain quickly. I should be able to salvage it.”

“Thank you,” I replied, settling before my vanity

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