Mrs. Daugherty smiled. “Very well then. Everything looks healthy. Are you feeling morning sickness yet?”
Ellen shook her head.
“If you get it, it shall probably come on in the next fortnight.” Mrs. Daugherty rattled off a list of facts for Ellen. “We’ll know for certain when the babe quickens, but I’d say it’s safe to assume you’re in the family way.”
Mark cleared his throat. “I think we’re both quite worried about last time.”
Ellen nodded.
“Of course.” Mrs. Daugherty looked at Ellenwith such kindness it made her want to cry. “I don’t know why your baby was stillborn or what the itching had to do with it, though I think you’re right, they are related in some way. There is cause to hope. You may not itch again. And even if you do, we’ll induce labor early and pull the baby out.” She smiled at them. “There is every reason to hope.”
Ellen shook her head. “I’m too afraid to hope. I cannot bear it if my hopes are crushed.”
Mrs. Daugherty took Ellen’s hand in hers, covering Ellen’s pale skin with her dark brown. “My dear, I understand. Let me help you with this: you are still relatively young, you are healthy. You had an easy pregnancy up until the end, and you’ve not had a miscarriage before. These are all good signs. We will be with you every step of the way, my dear. And we can find a midwife for you to speak with as your condition progresses.” She stroked Ellen’s hand. “I promise, we’ll do everything we can.”
Ellen’s eyes filled with tears, and she shut them to keep the tears from escaping. “Thank you,” she whispered.
“In the meantime, I say keep your schedule as you can, but rest well. The first few months are exhausting.” Mrs. Daugherty smiled. “I remember, particularly with my third, I was so tired I would cry at the end of the day.”
Ellen felt Mark’s alarm through the hand on her shoulder. “Is that normal?”
“Yes. Make sure she rests, but otherwise she can keep her routine. If anything changes, we’ll find ways to cut back.” Mrs. Daugherty winked at Ellen. “There’s this pretty nurse who keeps finding her way around the dispensary, and I’ve a mind to put her to work.”
Ellen smiled. “Maybe Amelia will get that nurse she’s always talking about. For the dispensary.”
Mark bent down to kiss her temple. “I’ll be back at four. Don’t go anywhere alone.”
Ellen frowned. “I travel to people’s homes all day long, walking by myself.” She didn’t add that this month she wasadding a brothel to her list, as two prostitutes had recently given birth early and needed her help.
“Stay in crowded areas.” Mark paused to thank Mrs. Daugherty, then saw himself out.
Mrs. Daugherty looked at Ellen.
Ellen pretended to be fascinated by a fraying hem of her cuff.
“You have that man wrapped around your little finger, and you don’t even know it.” Her tone was wry.
Ellen blushed and shook her head. “You know our history. I don’t know if I can love and trust him.”
Mrs. Daugherty pointed at Ellen’s stomach. “You clearly loved and trusted him enough for this to happen.”
Ellen groaned. “Yes, but it’s complicated. I was madly in love with him years ago, and he left. What’s to keep him from doing it again, when he tires of me this time?”
“That’s a good question. Has he answered it?”
“Yes, but I’m not certain I’m satisfied with the answer. I want to trust him fully. I just don’t know how.” Ellen shook her head. “Listen to me, going on and on like a ninny. I have babies to see.” She stood to make Amelia’s bed for her.
“Whatever happens, you shall not be alone,” Mrs. Daugherty promised, and Ellen knew she meant it for more than the pregnancy.
Chapter Nineteen
For the next fortnight Mark treated Ellen like the queen she deserved to be. He rubbed her feet, he kissed her hands, he made sure the cook prepared her favorite meals, he carried everything for her. The first time she vomited in the morning he raced to wet a handkerchief and hand it to her. And he delighted in doing it.
Ellen seemed less happy about his fussing. She tolerated it because Mark couldn’t stop smiling when he touched her. She preferred never to reference her condition, to pretend it wasn’t happening. Mark understood, so he silently doted on her and kept his growing excitement to himself.
Mark grinned now, thinking of how pleased he’d be to share the news with his family when Ellen agreed to it. He opened a letter from Cottesloe and leaned back in his leather chair in the study.
Dear Mark,