Isobel shivered and pulled the blanket up a bit to rest over her stomach. The large shawl covering her shoulders was doing no good, but she was sure the fire would soon warm her through. She now rested on the chaise lounge, as her legs threatened to give out beneath her if she tried to cross all the way to the window seat from her bed.

She heard the door open and smiled upon seeing her husband quietly enter.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, crossing the room to sit on the edge of the lounge. He leaned forward and gave her a small kiss, rubbing his thumb over her cheek. "You're quite pale."

"I'll be all right," she replied softly. "Have you had your meeting?"

"Yes…I think she is a fine candidate. But we need not worry about that now. You should get some sleep."

"But Timothy and Elizabeth are to be here soon…or have they already arrived?"

"They have and they asked after you, of course. I told them you might see them at luncheon….or later this afternoon," he said after a second thought. Luncheon was to be served in less than an hour and from the way Isobel was shaking, he didn't think she would be down in the dining room any time soon.

She took his hand in hers and smiled weakly. "Perhaps for tea this afternoon," she replied, hoping to calm his worry. "And they've seen the baby?"

"Yes, they were going to unpack and then have a short visit with her before her nap."

Isobel nodded and sighed. "I'm sorry I could not be there to help with the interview. You truly think this girl is capable?"

"I do. She has no children of her own but is the eldest of seven brothers and sisters. I think that speaks to the amount of experience she has," he replied with a chuckle.

Isobel's eyes lit up a bit. "Yes, I'd say so. And she is educated?"

"Indeed. Her mother was the town's schoolteacher. I will make sure you meet her when she returns to meet the baby," he assured her, raising her hand to his lips. "Now, you need to rest. Would you like to stay here or shall I help you to bed?"

"Here I think…the fire is nice," she answered, looking over in to the burning embers. "You're sure she is quite competent for the job?"

"Mead felt the same, and you did approve her application, my dear."

Surprised, she looked back to him. "I did? Goodness, I don't remember."

Dickie looked down, trying to hide his disappointment. "I'm afraid the past few days have been a bit of a whirlwind for you. But hopefully, we will have you feeling much better soon."

She let go of his hand and reached over to brush her fingers down his cheek. "I'm sorry to worry you so."

He clasped her hand between his before she could pull it away, gently pulling her against his chest. He kissed the top of her head that now fell under his chin.

"My dear…I only worry because I care. And that's the reason I've rung up Dr. Clarkson."

He felt her tense immediately, her eyes glaring in to his as she sat up straight. Confusion was etched in her features. "I thought we agreed to give it more time."

Dickie's head hung in shame, his fingers gently kneading the tight muscles of her arms. "Darling…I know what we said….but you have been getting worse each day. Your strength is so far gone you can hardly walk ten paces. Please do not be angry…I only called him because I am concerned."

She looked away, her eyes filling with frustrated tears. "And just what has he said?"

"To continue this medication and call him with a report on Monday. He would like to see if you feel a bit better this weekend. If not, he will determine another course of action."

A bit nervous, Isobel looked down and began playing with the edge of her shawl. "Anything else?"

Dickie took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "He wants you to stay in bed this weekend…and to stop all work on the school house renovation."

Her eyes creased, the thin line of her lips signaling her frustration was heightened. "I fail to see how my going over figures and volunteer assignments for the renovation would be detrimental to my health!"

She leaned against the back of the lounge, her arms crossing and eyes closing.

"This is not how it was supposed to be," she whispered, shaking her head back and forth. "I'm so sorry, Dickie…."

He shifted closer to her and put his hands on her cheeks, coaxing her eyes open. He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead before whispering back, "There is no need….just a small bump in the road, nothing more."

Catching her eyes, he repeated, "Nothing more. All right?"

She sighed softly, allowing her arms to uncross and her stature to relax some. "All right."

He wanted to do all he could to encourage her. For if one thing was for sure, Isobel was not one to sit idly by while others cared for her. He understood how frustrated she was but hoped it would not make her shut him out nor push him away.

His thoughts were broken as he felt her lips on his cheek. "At least this will give me time to think over your ideas for our little one's name."

Dickie chuckled. "Indeed."

He held her close, tightening his grip before she could lean back. Needing a bit of reassurance himself, his lips found hers. And reassurance he received when her arms wound around his back and her lips opened to his.

"Mm…I've missed you," he whispered in her ear before placing lingering kisses down to her collarbone.

She smiled, biting her bottom lip as his lips touched a sensitive spot below her jaw. How she hated that they had been so busy with the new baby and her health to not have time for each other. Dickie had been so wonderful to her…and all she could give him was a worn out body good for nothing other than lying in bed all day.

Dickie pulled back, having felt her body shudder beneath him. "Have I hurt you?" he asked with worry.

Tears filled her eyes as she placed a hand on his cheek. "No…no not at all. Dickie, you've been so good to me. And I am such a disappointment…"

"Don't," he interrupted, placing his fingers on her lips. "You are and never will be a disappointment, Isobel Grey. And I won't allow you to forget it."

His lips crashed down on hers, his hands moving to squeeze her waist gently. She moaned quietly as his tongue slid across her lips. Her fatigue quickly dissipated as Dickie's kisses grew in intensity. Her hands slipped from his arms to grip the edge of the chaise, her balance suddenly unsteady. He tightened his hold on her and moved from her lips to her neck, leaning her back to rest against the lounge.

If it hadn't been the middle of the day, he would have surely been unable to contain his want of her. But their reverie was broken upon hearing the chime of the large clock, signaling it was time for luncheon. Dickie pushed himself up, leaving one last, drawn out kiss on her lips.

"My dear…I'm afraid we shall be found out if I am not down to luncheon," he said quietly, leaning his forehead against hers.

She let out a slow breath, her eyes still closed to focus on steadying her rapid heartbeat. "True…though I shall be very sad to see you go."

"Until tonight…" he promised, pressing another kiss to her now swollen lips. He caught the slight sparkle in her eyes, thanking God for this small return to normalcy.

"I am very much looking forward to it, Lord Merton."