Chapter 27

"Thank you for coming Doctor," I greet Doctor Blundell from the settee as William shows him into the sitting room. He's just arrived at Knole in preparation for the birth which based on his estimations should be in a week or two. Nevertheless he's come early just in case my labours start earlier than expected.

"An honour as always your Grace. How have you been?" He inquires with a bow as William comes and sits next to me.

"I shall be grateful when this is over," I reply shifting uncomfortably in my seat. Grabbing a pillow and moving it behind me I lean back into it finding it at least slightly more comfortable than before.

"Not long to go your Grace and you shall be holding a perfectly healthy baby," Doctor Blundell says sitting down across from us as a maid arrives with some tea and biscuits for us.

"That is all we want," William adds handing my cup to me so that I don't have to move now that I've made myself comfortable. We make pleasant conversation for a while until the baby moves again and I'm too uncomfortable to continue any longer. I stand with difficultly and a footman, who William has assigned to help me, comes to my side and helps me upstairs to my room.

With more pillows to rest against I'm able to make myself comfortable again and grab a nearby book to read to keep myself occupied. It's rather boring spending so much time in bed with nothing to do but read as it requires the least amount of moving, even embroidery would mean having to move for new threads. And recently the smallest shift in my position has made me uncomfortable again.

I love this baby but I want this over with. This labour can't come soon enough.

"Your Grace," Marguerite greets coming into the room. Without another word she takes a seat next to me in the chair that has taken up permanent residence next to my bed. It's become a habit for her to come and keep me company when William's otherwise occupied so I'm not surprised that she's here nor the sewing she's brought with her.

"What's that one?" I ask discarding my book in favour of trying to figure out what she's working on now. Over the past few weeks she's been focusing on sewing new things for the baby despite the clothing and blankets that we'd brought in London.

"A blanket. You can never have too many," She replies not taking her attention away from her work.

"So you finished the nightgown then?" I inquire as that's the last item she had been working on while sitting with me.

"Yes, I even added some embroidery. I'll bring it for you to see next time," She tells me holding the blanket up so I can see it properly. It's rather soothing and entertaining watching her sew; sure I can sew myself but Marguerite's work is something else entirely.

At some point I must have fallen asleep because suddenly Marguerite is replaced with William in what appears to me as the blink of an eye. He's reading in the same spot that she had been in. I spend a moment just admiring my handsome husband but I can't for too long as I'm desperate to use the chamber pot.

"William help me up," I ask desperately making him jump slightly and with this having happened before he recovers from his surprise quickly to help me up and to the chamber pot. With my business finished he helps me back to bed so I can settle back against the pillows once again.

"Not much longer my love," William reminds me noting my discomfort as I try to find some position that offers at least some relief. The misery that this late stage of pregnancy is bringing me is well known to him but it can't be helped only endured.

Almost three weeks later the baby still has not arrived. Doctor Blundell examines me daily while uttering reassurances that it'll be any day now yet the day he has promised still hasn't come despite a few short bouts of what he calls false labour. I've barely slept and can't find any position that is comfortable anymore. I want this over with.

"Would you kindly leave me alone?" I say harshly to the Doctor too tired and uncomfortable to submit to yet another examination when nothing has changed. It's not the first time that I've spoken harshly to the Doctor since my pregnancy extended longer than initially thought.

"Certainly your Grace," He replies not having taken my words to heart knowing I don't truly mean them, "Please send for me if you need anything." Bowing he leaves the room likely to inform William of how his cut short examination went.

Marguerite resumes reading aloud for me now that the Doctor has left. She and William have been taking turns at my insistence as his work won't wait simply because our child refuses to arrive. I'm too tired now to try and focus on reading myself but listening to either of them read aloud at least passes the time.

Lunch is brought into the room for me a few hours later and following soon after is William with his own food. Dismissing Marguerite to go and eat herself he takes her seat and we eat lunch together as we focus on our food. Not that I would have made for good conversation even if we did talk.

"Have you finished?" William asks looking over my tray which I haven't touched for a few minutes. I have barely eaten any of it but I can't stomach anymore so I nod moving my hands out of the way so he can take the tray away.

"Thank you," I say it coming out in a slight hiss as I try to make myself at least slightly more comfortable. The attempt fails miserably.

"I hate seeing you so my love," He tells me returning to his seat and taking hold of one of my hands gently as though it would break under too harsh a touch.

"Once our son is here I shall sleep for a week. If not longer," I manage a small laugh before wincing at a kick from said son who is still content to keep us waiting.

"And you shall have all the rest you desire. The wetnurses are ready and the nursey is all prepared for his arrival. You won't have to worry and can focus on recovering," He reassures me running his free hand gently over my stomach to try and soothe our son. It seems to work for a short while until a pain, somewhat familiar, overcomes me.

I cry out at the pain alarming William as I tighten my grip on his hand through the pain. Having experienced this before, although not quite as painfully as this, during previous false labours I expect it to end soon and manage to relay it to William so that he doesn't call the Doctor back. It'll only be a waste of his time as this will end soon enough.

Except it doesn't. Instead the waves of pain begin to draw closer together. This is no false labour.

"William," I pant out as the most recent wave ends, "Get the Doctor. Our son is coming."

"Doctor! Someone fetch the Doctor!" He shouts not leaving my side for a moment. I'm grateful for his presence though as I squeeze his hand through the pain again and again. Doctor Blundell enters the room at a run probably having heard my screams from down the hallway at the very least.

"Your Graces," He pants out a short greeting before setting to work examining me, "It seems it is almost time. Your waters have not yet broken but these pains are the start of it."

I'd thought that meant that soon I could hold my child but hours later although my waters have broken I seem no closer to the end. William and Marguerite sit on either side of me holding my hands offering what comfort they can through the pains. Doctor Blundell sits at the end of the bed monitoring the progress of my labour and encouraging me to push at the correct times.

"Push your Grace," He calls, "You are almost there. I can see the head!" Realising that the end is in sight I gather what energy I have left and push. On and on with each pain. Until finally the air is filled with the cries of my baby.

"You did it my love," William whispers kissing my sweat covered hair. I don't know how long I'd been in labour but he's remained by side through it all and now we have been rewarded with our child.

"Congratulations your Graces. A healthy son," Doctor Blundell informs us as Marguerite, who had taken the baby to clean and wrap in a blanket, approaches us. I smile weakly as she hands my son to me for the first time. William settles himself further onto the bed next to me so that he see the baby as well, wrapping his arms around me he supports my arms.

"He's beautiful," I breath out in wonder watching his tiny face in fascination. Just seeing him sleeping in my arms makes the pain of labour worth it although the exhaustion of it is quickly catching up with me. Thankfully with William's arms supporting my own I can hold my baby a while longer.

"Yes, our perfect son. Arthur Thomas Sackville the Earl of Dorset," William whispers back not wanting to wake our son. It's the first time that I've heard my son's title out loud, a placeholder until he inherits the Dukedom, and it makes me want to laugh as by his first breath my son outranks my brother. Not only that but as William's sole heir Arthur is already wealthier than Humphrey as well.

"Such a title for such a tiny baby," I say back to him as I motion for one of the wetnurses to come and take Arthur from me. Too tired to hold him any longer I'm grateful to hand him over so that I can rest.

"Come you can't sleep quite yet," William tells me gently gathering me into his arms and carrying me out of the room. To my surprise he carries me across the hall to his own room, though rarely used of late, where a bath is waiting. Between Marguerite and William I'm quickly cleaned up and dressed in a clean nightgown. Only then am I finally allowed to sleep.

According to William I sleep for a full day following the birth but now after a week I feel much recovered. Doctor Blundell only returned to London a few days ago after ensuring both my health and Arthur's and while I still need to be careful to fully recover neither of us need his close observation anymore.

"Hello Arthur," I say happily entering the nursery to see my son. It's still early but I woke not long ago and couldn't wait to see him, it's my new favourite way to start my day. Peering over the crib I find him awake and watching me. According to his nurses he's a very good baby only crying when he needs something.

Already he looks so much like William with his dark hair and eyes although William says that he takes after me as Arthur's features are similar to my own. Perhaps in time one of us will be able to convince the other of our point as Arthur grows and he develops more of a resemblance to us. I should like him to take after William though, he'll be a fine young man if he does so.

"I thought I might find you here," William speaks out from behind me making me jump slightly. Turning I motion for him to be quiet lest he surprises Arthur and makes him start crying.

"I couldn't resist," I turn back to watching Arthur whose falling back to sleep as neither of us have picked up nor done anything else to entertain him.

"Hm," He hums in response coming to stand behind me and wrapping his arms around me, "That I can understand but I do miss waking to you in my arms. Arthur has completely stolen his Mama's attention away from me."

"That he has my love," I tease back, "I'm afraid you shall have to do without me. And any attempts to keep me from my morning visits will result in me sleeping on the nursery floor instead of our bed."

"Never my darling. I shall simply have to endure your absence and seek you out once I'm awake. As I said I shall know where to find you," He retorts with a kiss to my cheek, "Now come and have some breakfast. A wetnurse shall be here shortly to tend to Arthur."

With a last fond look at my son I allow William to lead me downstairs to the dining room where breakfast is being served. As we sit down to eat this morning's newspaper arrives which William works his way through commenting occasionally on the contents. A new session of parliament is just starting and with it a new social season which due to Arthur's birth we won't be attending for some time.

Perhaps in the new year we might venture to London again but not for long. I'd rather remain here in Knole with my son who'll be too young to undertake such a journey.

"Forgive the disturbance your Graces," Delves greets entering the dining room unexpectedly, "But you have a visitor."

"At this time in the morning?" William asks incredulously. It's most unusual for anyone to visit without prior notice but for it to be this early in the morning something must be wrong, "Who is it Delves?"

"It's Her Grace's brother. The Baron Dynham," He replies much to my surprise. I haven't had so much as a letter from Humphrey since I left Edmour for my season so why has he turned up now?

"Show him to the library I shall be there soon," William orders tossing his newspaper onto the table. Nodding Delves leaves to attend to my brother, "Stay here Eleanor I shan't be long," William stands to leave and as I began to rise he waved me off.

"No, I'll come with you. He's my brother and I should like to know why he's here," I insist standing up and following him out of the room before he can refuse again. Knowing Humphrey this unexpected visit can't be anything good so I won't leave William alone to face it.

"Dearest sister," Humphrey greets as William and I enter the library together, "How good to see you again. And we haven't been introduced formally your Grace but it is an honour to meet you now."

"I'm sure it is Dynham. I've heard much about you," William replies dryly leading us over to the settees and taking a seat with me next to him. Humphrey takes a seat opposite us and his eyes roam the room briefly taking in the expensive surroundings. Greed shines clearly in his gaze.

"What is it you want, brother?" I ask shortly having no patience left for him. No longer am I beholden to him now that I'm married and I want him to leave so that he's far away from me, William and Arthur.

"Come now sister," He begins a note of pleading in his voice, "It's been too long since we saw each other last. Why you're even a mother now! Can I not come and offer my congratulations on the birth of my nephew?"

"No you may not," I snap back furious that he's bringing my son into this matter, "We may be blood but you are no brother of mine. You left me with no dowry nor prospects and it's only by good fortune that I was able to marry a man as good as the Duke."

"That's not true," Humphrey protests hastily casting a worried look towards William, "Many of my friends and acquaintances expressed interest in marrying you. Even had you not married the Duke you would have been taken care of, with someone that I know well."

"I've heard of these friends of yours Dynham. And none would make a suitable husband for any woman," William retorts his face clouding with anger, "Now say why you are really here?"

"My debtors have caught up with me. I'm ruined dear sister," He informs me with a false sorrow in his eyes, "And as we are family I thought you may be willing to help me."

It doesn't surprise me that he's come for money but I suppose some small part of me had held onto the hope that he simply did want to visit. To see me married happily and well. But no, he hasn't changed and still acts as though his gambling isn't the reason for the debts that now threaten to ruin him completely.

"Very well," William says and I look at him in shock, "I shall ensure the debts are paid. But only this once. To this end I shall give you a lump sum of money if you shall move to America, never to darken our doorstep again."

"William-" I whisper in shock only to be stopped by the determined look on his face. I'd never wanted him to give money to my brother yet this offer seems to be the perfect solution.

"Yes," Humphrey replies desperately, "I-I shall go. I'm sure that I can make my way in America." I sit and watch in astonishment as the two come to an agreement. William will pay my brother's debts only as soon as he's on a ship to America. And we're never to hear from him again.

Within the hour my brother is leaving returning to Edmour for the last time so he can prepare for his imminent departure. And as part of the agreement that they'd come to Edmour will be given over to us in payment for covering the debts and the money for Humphrey's new life.

"You did not have to do that," I say quietly still numb with shock over what's happened as I watch the carriage pull away.

"Regardless of everything he is your brother. I'm sure you didn't want to see him in debtors' prison or worse. At least this way he has a chance to change his ways."

"And Edmour? Why would you want yet another run-down estate when the one in Scotland is only just turning a profit?"

"It's your ancestral home my love. And it doesn't seem likely for any woman to marry your brother so it'd have only passed to some distant male relative. Wouldn't it be much better for me to return it to its former glory for Arthur or another of our son, if we're so blessed," He asks holding me close and bringing a hand up to cup my cheek as he looks at me warmly.

"Oh, William," I sigh happily overwhelmed with love for him. I lean into his hand slightly before bringing my own hands up to hold it and turning my head to kiss his palm. Grinning he leads me back inside with the offer of some tea as our breakfast was cut short. I couldn't be any happier with my life.