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Kate stepped out onto the patio, her boots crunching into what had been an undisturbed blanket of fresh, powdery snow. Flakes floated about aimlessly in the air around her as she took in the majesty that was the grounds of Aubrey Hall after a night of steady snowfall.
She giggled like a naughty child as she let her shawl fall to the ground, the impact of the heavy garment hitting the thick layer of snow barely making any sound at all. Just for a few moments, she wanted to feel it. The crisp, clean sensation of chilled air around her. The exhilarating rush of inhaling it deep into her lungs. She knew she would be uncomfortable soon, and wanted to savour this experience that was still so new to her. Perhaps, with time, she would discover she does not care for snow at all, but, for now–
“Kate!”
Blast.
“Kate, you cannot be serious!”
Kate rolled her eyes as she slowly bent down to retrieve her shawl from the ground. “Worry not, my lord. This endeavour is not serious in the least. I was rather enjoying myself.”
Anthony caught up to her as she was moving to place her shawl back over her shoulders. He snatched it from her, muttering something she could not decipher, and began to remove his jacket.
“This is useless now that it has been sitting in the snow. Infernal woman. Come here.”
Anthony draped his jacket over his wife. With one arm around her shoulders and one hand on her belly, swollen with their child, he guided her back into the house, cursing her all the while.
“Are you quite alright, my lady?” Clara asked as she set eyes on the master and mistress of the house and rushed forward.
“Clara, it is fine. I am perfectly well.”
“Hardly! Clara, did you not know Lady Bridgerton had gone out into the cold with nothing to guard her from the chill?”
Clara looked embarrassed and opened her mouth to speak.
“Anthony, please. Clara was only doing as I instructed. I wished to venture outside alone.” Kate turned toward Clara and grasped the young woman’s hands. “Do not mind it at all, dear.” She cut her eyes toward her husband. He stood petulantly, his jaw tight.
Clara seemed partially mollified. “Thank you, ma’am. May I prepare you some tea?”
“Yes, that sounds lovely,” Kate smiled.
“And a hot bath–immediately.” Anthony cut in.
Clara nodded, subtly looking to Kate, who nodded begrudgingly.
Clara curtsied and left to set about her tasks. Kate turned to Anthony and the two stared each other down for a few minutes before speaking at the same time.
“If you expect–”
“Anthony, you can not–”
Anthony sighed, put his hands behind his back, and waited for Kate to continue.
“I was only outside briefly, Anthony.”
“With no coat. No gloves. Several months pregnant.” The last sentence was forced through gritted teeth. “I will not apologise for my concern for your well-being or that of our child.”
Kate softened a bit. “And I would never ask you to. However, I will not be managed. You are perfectly aware of this.”
Anthony did not answer, merely gnashed his teeth and paced. Kate tutted as she walked up to him and cradled his face in her hands, breathing with him until he calmed down.
“Are you truly so distressed by a fleeting moment in the snow?”
“Yes,” he whispered.
Kate nodded with understanding. “I am sorry to have alarmed you.”
Anthony sighed and rested their foreheads together. “Thank you. Though, I am sure you have no plans to stop.”
“It seems there is nothing I could do in this condition that would not alarm you.” Kate kissed him gently on the cheek. “It is alright, Anthony. It is simply your nature. And it is admirable, how you care so deeply. Indeed, I fear I would not love you as much if you were not so ridiculous in your devotion to your family.” Another kiss, and she turned to walk down the hall after Clara. “Now, I am off to dutifully have my tea and bath.”
Kate smiled to herself as she heard Anthony’s soft laughter behind her.
—
The moment Kate woke up, she knew she’d made a mistake. She could admit, at least to herself, that she was indeed coming down with a cold. Her momentary jaunt in the snow may actually have led to her sickness. It was a mistake not because of the resulting illness itself. Kate was not bothered by a trifling cold. The mistake Kate made in getting sick was whatever her husband would subject her to once he found out. So, the solution was simple. Anthony must not find out.
Kate slid out of bed as quietly as she could, successfully leaving Anthony undisturbed in his slumber. She requested a basin of hot water to steam her face, then drank several cups of tea. By the time Anthony had met her for breakfast, Kate was able to quite successfully feign complete health.
She was thankful that Anthony seemed to have a lot of work to do with his solicitor, so it was easy to avoid him for the rest of the morning. After another steam, she prepared to face Anthony for luncheon. Perhaps he was so busy that he would miss it. The prospect was unlikely, as Anthony made a point to at least be with Kate during meals every day, not wanting to leave her alone all day during the latter part of her pregnancy.
Kate approached the door of his office, noting that it was ajar. She quietly made her way down the hall. Well, she had kept quiet–until she sneezed.
Blast.
“What was that?”
Blast!
In no time at all, Anthony appeared at the doorway.
“What was that noise, Kate?”
Kate squeezed her eyes shut. “Nothing.”
Anthony’s jaw ticked. “It certainly was something. You are ill, Kate. You recklessly exposed yourself to the chill air, and now you are ill.”
Kate waved him off. “I was not reckless. And my memory is not impaired. I know what happened. It is trivial.”
“Trivial?” Anthony grasped his hands behind his back. “And how could you possibly know the severity of your condition?”
“Because I am the one experiencing said condition.”
Anthony bit back whatever retort was at the tip of his tongue. After a brief stare down, he calmly said, “I shall call the surgeon at once.”
“You will not.”
“Kate.”
“We do not waste precious time and resources on sniffles and sneezes.”
“Surely, you understand the need to make an exception in this case.”
“I absolutely do not. I will rest today. Let us have luncheon in our chambers. Then, I will lie down until dinner. Does that please you?”
Kate noted the ghost of a smile on Anthony’s face as his body relaxed a degree.
“Go,” he said. “I shall meet you upstairs.” He kissed her and moved his hands over her bump before releasing her.
—
“I think it is past time we consider beginning your lying-in. You should write to Lady Mary, calling her to Aubrey Hall.”
“No,” Kate said simply as she and Anthony sat together at dinner, not looking up from cutting her chicken.
“Darling, you have fallen ill. Why would you not heed that? Begin your confinement until you have delivered and you and the child have recovered.”
Kate’s silverware clattered to her plate as she dropped them. “I have not fallen ill. It is but a cold. It is far too early to be confined to my chambers. The very idea of being confined at all is already sufficiently disturbing.”
Anthony’s eyes widened and Kate raised a hand.
“I am not saying I will not concede eventually. However, I am certainly not starting now–or any time soon.”
Anthony nodded, defeated, if only temporarily.
—
Kate froze in the hallway when she saw her husband speaking with Mrs. Steele, the woman they had hired to be their midwife, upon entering the drawing room some days later.
“No.”
Anthony stood. “Kate.”
“Mrs. Steele, my apologies. I am certain I am not due for an examination.”
Apparently sensing something was amiss, Mrs. Steele’s eyes moved between Anthony and Kate, and understanding donned on her face. Kate was sure that, given how long she had been practising, their midwife was very familiar with this kind of conflict between husband and wife.
“Yes, ma’am. Lord Bridgerton has communicated that you may wish to discuss beginning your lying-in imminently.”
Kate glanced over to Anthony briefly, noting his indignant expression. She turned back to Mrs. Steele with a smile.
“Again, my apologies, Mrs. Steele. His lordship seems to have misunderstood me. He sent for you far too early, I am afraid. We will not be in need of your services for several more weeks, at least. I am deeply sorry for the inconvenience. Please do us the honour of joining us for luncheon before taking your leave.”
Mrs. Steele nodded curtly.
“May I have a word, my lord?” Kate said sharply as she raised an eyebrow at Anthony. It wasn't a question. It was a command.
“Of course, Lady Bridgerton.” Anthony rose, bowed to Mrs. Steele, and followed Kate down the hall.
“Anthony, you must stop.”
“Kate, I am only asking that–”
“You must see that the problem lies in the truth that you are not asking for anything. Truly, Anthony. Calling the midwife without my knowledge, let alone consent?”
Anthony’s ramrod posture relaxed. “Alright. I grant you that I may have overstepped.”
Kate almost challenged him on the use of the word “may” in that admission, but bit her tongue.
He pulled her close and placed his hand on her cheek. “I am afraid the fears that plagued me so in the past have resurfaced, now that we find ourselves on the precipice of parenthood, of what you must…” He looked down as his hand travelled over her belly. “I am scared for you, Kate. For both of you.”
Kate placed a hand over Anthony’s. “I understand. I truly do. I find myself frightened as well.”
“Then why–”
“Because I have found I am able to have room for this worry while still being hopeful, confident that we will be well. And we will, Anthony. Your fears are far from unfounded, but can you not see it? Do you not close your eyes and see your son, strong, mischievous, funny, compassionate?”
“No.”
“No?” Kate's face fell.
“No. I see our daughter, just as strong, as well as beautiful, obstinate, inflexible, and unyielding to good, plain commonsense.”
Just then, a kick landed squarely against where Anthony’s hand rested on Kate’s bump. Kate and Anthony’s eyes met. Her husband’s smugness was obvious, despite the tears welling up in his eyes.
“It seems your daughter is letting us know I am right.”
“Not at all. No doubt, your son is alerting you to how gravely misguided you are.”
Anthony tucked Kate’s arm in the crook of his elbow and kissed her on the temple as they made their way back to Mrs. Steele.
“Well, we will just have to wait and see.”
“I suppose so. Not too long, but there is still time yet.”
“Yes,” Anthony sighed, content. “Not too long. Exactly on time.”