It felt as though she had only been asleep for a moment or two when she heard soft cries beside her. As Isobel pushed herself up, she saw Dickie was already standing over the cradle, helplessly looking down at the upset baby.

"Dickie…"

Dickie looked up sharply, not expecting Isobel to be awake.

"I'm sorry…I wasn't quite sure how to calm her down," he said.

Isobel laughed softly, sliding out from under the blanket. "It's all right. I'll get her. What time is it?"

Dickie looked at his pocket watch. "After eight."

"Eight! Goodness, she is probably hungry," Isobel said, making sure her legs were steady before she leaned down and picked up the little girl.

Dickie stepped forward and held her by the elbows as she slowly straightened her legs.

"Thank you," she said softly, analyzing his features for any clue as to how his discussion with Mr. Mead and Mrs. Crane had gone.

"Shall I ring for a bottle?"

Isobel nodded and laid the baby on the bed, pulling her out of the cocoon of blankets surrounding her small form. The girl stopped crying and opened her eyes, looking up at Isobel and offering a small "coo."

"That's better, isn't it darling?" Isobel asked softly, brushing her fingers across the girl's cheek.

The baby cooed once more and stretched her arms up. Isobel caught both of the tiny hands in hers and rubbed them softly. But she jumped slightly when a pair of hands fell on her waist. Turning to look over her shoulder, she smiled as Dickie leaned forward and gave her a small kiss.

"I am quite lucky to see you as a Mother…it is obvious why Matthew grew in to a fine young man," he whispered, allowing his fingers to rub up and down her sides. A lump quickly formed in her throat as she turned her face away, not wanting him to see the tears welling in her eyes.

Dickie, having learned quite a bit about Isobel's silent responses in the months since they were married, simply pulled her back gently and wrapped his arms around her waist. Setting his chin on her shoulder, he smiled down at the baby who was looking up at both he and Isobel with great interest.

"She does seem a keen little thing, doesn't she?"

"Yes, she does," Isobel answered softly, swallowing her tears and resting her cheek against Dickie's. "Do you think she'll be all right?"

He chuckled. "I thought you were the Nurse."

She turned her head enough that she could catch his eye. She couldn't help but smile at the grin he fixed her with. "Cheeky," she replied with a wink.

There was a knock on the door, startling the baby from her peaceful moment. She began to cry again as Dickie walked around the bed to open the door.

"You rang, milord?" a young maid asked tentatively.

"Yes…would you have a bottle fixed for the young girl?"

"Of course…would you also like anything brought up for dinner, milord? Mrs. Simpson said she is happy to prepare anything for you and Her Ladyship."

Dickie looked over to Isobel who had picked up the baby and was rocking her back and forth. She caught his eye and shook her head. He sighed and turned back to the maid.

"Just a tea tray will be fine. And Master Timothy…has he returned?"

"Yes, milord. He did not want to disturb or interfere, so he said he would see you in the morning."

"Fine…thank you," Dickie replied, shutting the door when the maid walked away. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and walked a few steps toward his wife.

"Are you sure you don't want anything, dear? You haven't had anything proper to eat all day," he said, trying to keep the worry out of his voice.

"No…I'm fine," she replied, hushing the baby who was now openly crying despite Isobel's efforts.

Dickie could stand it no longer…Isobel should be resting, as Dr. Clarkson said…not doing all of this walking and carrying. He moved forward, removed his hands from his pockets and put them on both of her shoulders.

"Why not let me give it a go?" he asked, looking down at the young girl. "You can make sure I'm holding her properly."

Isobel made to protest, but she could see he meant what he said. She gently placed the baby in his arms as he sat down on the end of the bed. She fetched a fresh blanket and came to sit beside him, placing the blanket around the whimpering infant.

The poor man looked quite uneasy, his arms rigid while the baby cried.

"You're doing just fine," Isobel whispered, laying her hand over his.

Her touch relaxed him a bit and his shoulders dropped, allowing the baby to curl in to his chest. He laughed softly as the young girl yawned and nuzzled her head against his coat, her cries calming.

"It does not take much to please her, does it?" he asked, turning his face to his wife.

"Just a little love and care is all," she replied, leaning forward to press her lips against his.

A soft coo from the baby broke them apart, both looking down with a smile at the infant. She was watching the couple intently, her face softening when she saw she was again the center of their attention. A hint of a smile flashed over her little lips.

"She smiled!" Dickie exclaimed, his eyes wide with joy as he turned to face Isobel.

"It must mean you're doing a fine job," she answered, tucking her hands through the crook of his arm and leaning her cheek against his shoulder.

"Do you think we should give her a name?" he asked after a few moments.

When he heard no reply, he looked over and saw Isobel had fallen fast asleep. He pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head and then looked back at the baby. She was still eyeing him intently.

"Well, my dear, what shall we call you, hm?"