The Burnings by Naomi Kelsey

Author:Naomi Kelsey [Kelsey, Naomi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2023-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

24

A child. Before the year’s end, she’d have a child.

At first she hadn’t believed it, and Margareta told herself this was why she hadn’t told John. After all, why should she believe a stranger, however authoritative her pronouncements? But as the weeks wore on and her courses didn’t come, Margareta had to admit Agnes had spoken truthfully.

Sitting up in bed while John drowsed in the early morning sunlight, Margareta eyed their chamber. Where was she supposed to put a baby? Or a nursemaid? And what would the child wear? She hadn’t spent time with children since being a child; Anna’s younger siblings had all been dispatched to nurseries, even separate palaces, only re-entering court life once their table manners and conversation were deemed sophisticated enough not to embarrass their royal kin.

Would Margareta be expected to send her child away? To find a wet nurse in Edinburgh as Gabriel Vinstar had found Johanna in Helsingør?

‘What are you frowning for?’

John rolled over, flinging an arm across her legs. His hand lay against her belly, and she wondered how close his fingers were to his child, how small it would be against his palm.

‘Margareta?’

Now was the time. He knew her body better than anyone; he’d notice soon enough. But to say it aloud would mean it was real.

It would make their marriage real. Not a facade to allow them to spy more easily for Sophia, but a real union. A family.

‘Something serious?’ John gently enfolded her hand in his. ‘Weightier than your usual need for fresh bread and honey in the mornings?’

Best to say it quickly, like yanking a splinter out of skin. ‘I’m with child.’

He stared.

‘I wasn’t sure at first,’ she blustered, ‘and then I was. I mean, I am. Perhaps December.’

‘A child,’ he whispered. ‘Our child. I didn’t expect …’ His hand cupped her belly, warm strength against her softness. ‘Well.’

‘You’re displeased.’

‘No!’ He sat up and kissed her. ‘I’m pleased. Delighted, overjoyed. Although I had hoped to have you to myself a while longer. So we could get to know one another better.’

Margareta scowled. ‘Just because there’s a baby growing inside me doesn’t mean I’ll be incapable of speaking for the next six months.’

John laughed. ‘Nor of reprimanding me. I’m sorry.’ He kissed her again. As he drew back, it was his turn to frown. ‘You are pleased, aren’t you? Having a baby – my baby – that doesn’t displease you?’

‘No! But …’

‘Is it the birth? The finest midwives and physicians in the land will be squabbling for a chance to attend anyone at court. I’ll make sure you have the best care.’

‘It’s Anna.’ Margareta held his gaze. ‘This will hurt her deeply. Discovering I’ve achieved what she cannot, what her husband prevents her from even having a chance to achieve, what her future and Scotland’s depend on … I can’t bear the thought.’

John was quiet a moment. ‘Or …’

‘Or what?’

‘Perhaps this will be the spark needed to ignite James’s passion. He was furious when he heard about Bothwell’s third child. Perhaps seeing other men siring children will remind him how crucial it is that he follow suit.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.