Author's Note: Many thanks to my Betas from the young blades unoffical site. Nicole and Heather. Also to Jedi who inspired me with the idea of the Minister and his wife characters... enjoy and oh... I have through Chapter 15 completely done, sent to betas and all... so if you are nice... and write reviews... I might be inspired to post a little more... ;) Meg

After two days of eating in the cabin she shared with d'Artagnan, Jacqueline was sick of it. She had insisted they go out and eat with people tonight. D'Artagnan had given in and so she stood in front of her mirror. She was uneasy, the other morning she woke up to d'Artagnan staring at her. He had not spoken of finding her so close to him, but she knew he had thought about it because turned his back to her now. Her hair was pinned up; expect a few stray curls in the front. She wore the pearl necklace and she touched it lightly as she looked at herself. She had on a long, silk blue dress. It had a see through; white sparkly overlay and sparkled with every move she made.

D'Artagnan walked over to her in his green vest and necktie, which was half tied. "Ready, sweetheart?" he asked her. She adjusted his necktie so it was straight and tied it correctly before nodding. She took his arm, and they followed the servant to the dinning area.

Captain Baskerville sat at the center of the table surrounded by six other people. "Lady Hepburn, Lord Hepburn, good of you to join us. This is Minister Joseph Mecca and his wife, Helena. They are Englanders too, from the country side." He pointed to his right as he introduced them. "We also have Baron Francis, Lord Rochester, and lastly, The Duke and Duchess Winchester." The Duchess smiled at her, "I go by Jane usually."

Jacqueline returned her smile and said, "Good evening." The Duchess looked at her, "I hear you two are just married and returning to London after you wedding tour of France?"

Jacqueline sat down. "Yes, we enjoyed France," she paused, considering the duchess. The Duchess Jane Winchester was small and had light red hair and bright green eyes. Diamonds were everywhere on her; it was almost blinding. The Duke was heavier built and hard dark hair and a mustache. "Lady Minister, you are from England?" she inquired turning to her.

"Yes, we were sent to India for four years right after our marriage and then we spent the last year in Italy, making a brief stop in France as we return home for our new assignment." She was medium build and had the lightest complexion Jacqueline had ever seen. Her hair was a mix of red and blonde and she had rich, blue eyes. The minister was smaller than she was, and had more of an average brown hair and eyes.

"Lady Hepburn, you speak French," the Baron inquired. He was tall and dark from head to toe, at least that Jacqueline could see. He had an abundance of facial hair as well.

"Yes, fluently," she answered him.

Lord Rochester smiled, "Lord Hepburn, where did you find such a pretty wife? I must go there and search."

D'Artagnan looked at him. He was average height for a man and weight. He had no hair on his head, very little elsewhere and green, sharp eyes. "She is pretty, but she has plenty of other good qualities," d'Artagnan answered bluntly. Wine and caviar was brought to start them off. Jacqueline felt ill and she took a sip of wine to settle her stomach. Her hand flew to her stomach and she could see d'Artagnan's concern in his eyes.

"You are not unwell are you, Lady Hepburn?" the minister's wife asked.

Jacqueline shook her head, "just the ship's movement."

Baron Francis laughed. "It is my experience that new brides tend to get a little sick after a month or so, nothing to be concerned about really." Jacqueline's face went white as d'Artagnan turned to her in amusement, catching the Baron's true meaning.

The rest of dinner went smoothly, but as time to retire for the ladies came, Jacqueline fainted and the Baron could not resist another comment as she was strengthening his suspicions. A servant took her back to the cabin and d'Artagnan threaten to send for the doctor. She protested upon waking insisting all she needed was rest, and he should join the other men in the card room. He finally gave up, as she was persistent on that point, arguing that he needed to keep up appearances so as not to make anyone suspicious.

Once alone, Jacqueline sifted through his trunk, eager to see what it was he kept looking at when he thought she was not looking. Dress after dress she pulled out and finally at the end she found it. She just stared, her breath catching in the throat…

"Lord Hepburn, how is the lady doing?" Duke Winchester asked.

"She's fine; she just can not seem to adjust to the ship's movement. This has been going on for days."

The Duke, Baron, and Minister exchanged amused glances. "After the display at dinner, I would think you would know." Baron Francis finally said. D'Artagnan looked at them, forging indifference.

"Sickness, fainting bouts, that is where it starts my good man." The minister said, "Then comes exhaustion, heavier appetites…" He sighed, as if he went through this a lot.

"Really? That sounds terrible!" D'Artagnan said, feigning ignorance.

"He's saying Lady Hepburn is most likely, with child. It is a common thing to happen," Duke Winchester said bluntly. D'Artagnan pretended to look shocked.

"Oh, come now, Lord Hepburn! Your father must have taught you to pick up the signs better than that," The Baron exclaimed as they all began to laugh.

"Just think you will get a heir to your title and lands. God willing, a male heir," the Duke said bitterly.

D'Artagnan excused himself to be alone. Part of him was wishing Jacqueline was his wife and that she was with child. He would not even care if it were female like the Duke would.