There is something wrong with Charlotte

Henry had returned from his exercise at the club and found Charlotte was still in bed. She was asleep and this was abnormal for her. She had steadily been growing more tired and he was becoming concerned.

"Charlotte" he gently woke her and was thankful she opened her eyes. He gathered her in his arms and looked carefully at her face. She was looking pale and was fighting to stay awake.

"Good morning my love... I might sleep a little longer... I am feeling very tired" She smiled and closed her eyes.

He felt her stomach and the babe was moving and felt her forehead. She was not warm but clearly something was wrong!

"Charlotte... what is wrong?" he spoke to her as he cradled her in his arms. He called for his servant to get Grace Heywood and called for the doctor. He didn't move and watched her as she slept in his arms.

It felt like hours but Grace rushed into the room. Her face showing concern as she looked at her pale sleeping daughter.

"Henry... I am going to need to check her over..." Grace waited to see what he was going to do

"I will stay with her..." he firmly stated

Grace and Henry made Charlotte comfortable... Grace carefully checking her daughter and the babe... Grace didn't want the doctor checking as they often didn't know what was best. Henry knew exactly what she was doing as he had done the same thing on the farm.

He leaned down and kissed Charlotte's forehead and prayed everything would be ok.

Susan entered the room... she had only been informed and looked worried. Charlotte was the daughter she never had and to see her in this condition was painful. Susan sat on the other side of Charlotte and took hold of her hand. Mary was down stairs making sure everything was running smoothly while they worked out what was wrong.

Grace had finished her examination and looked at Henry and Susan

"The babe is moving and everything seems to be in order..." everyone breathing a sigh of relief

"For some reason... her body is needing rest and that is why she is sleeping. We will need to watch for fever or other signs of illness... at this stage she needs rest" stated Grace. She covered her daughter and went over to give Charlotte a kiss on the head.

"I will make sure this part of the house is kept quiet and there are servants at hand to do anything that is needed" Susan getting up... she was glad there was something she could do.

"Henry... have you had anything to eat?" Grace spoke softly

"I am staying here... she might wake up and need something!" he commented

"I will get some food delivered to you and I will be back to check on you all" Henry nodded to show he had heard her but he was just focused on his sleeping wife.

Once downstairs Grace gathered her children together who knew there was something wrong... waited for their mother to speak...

"Your sister Charlotte is unwell and needs to sleep... we have to be quiet so she can rest... we need to pray that she will feel better soon" Grace trying to keep her voice calm but failed. Charlotte had been one of the healthiest of her children and she was worried... very worried.

Alison and Victoria picking up Lydia and Johanna who had started to cry. Alex had moved to be next to his mother and placed his head on her shoulder. Grace calling for paper wrote an urgent message to her husband. He needed to know his oldest daughter was sick and if possible she needed him to come... they didn't know what was to happen. After giving everyone a kiss...Grace went back upstairs to sit with Charlotte.

"Charlotte... we need you to wake up!" Henry and Grace speaking to her as she slept...