Thanks for the lovely reviews on the last chapter - I always anticipate reading your thoughts on the new updates! Moving along to the morning after, we have some more erotic moments between our fave couple (in case you didn't get enough in the last chapter), some goings on with the help...and the start of a not-so-unexpected event...

Chapter 29
A New Day

In the early hours of the next morning, the occupants of Gracewood began to stir in the different areas of the manor. Snow was still falling lightly outside, while candles were wicking into life from one room to another.

Rose and Meggie were together, standing in the kitchen, watching the fat snowflakes swirl against the windows. The kitchen had been cleaned and cleared from the previous night's dinner, ready for another day. Cook had started the loaves of bread and buns earlier, and the enticing aroma of it was already in the air.

"Such a lovely party it was," Meggie commented. "And so romantic, with His Grace's plan to renew the marriage vows...in front of one and all…"

"His lordship is very loving. Her Grace is a lucky woman," Rose agreed, folding some linens as they talked.

"Makes a girl wish for a husband, just to be loved like that," Meggie sighed, remembering the night at the palace where Lord Derek had swept Lady Meredith up in his arms to carry her away to their bedchamber. Just as romantic as one of the fairy tales, where Prince Charming rode off with his Princess to live happily ever after.

"Oh, not all men are so loving, now my girl," Rose laughed. "I believe that His Grace is one a of kind."

"Well, you have a husband and children. Does he not make you happy?"

"Indeed. No grand gestures, but he is solid and he loves me." Rose's husband was one of the many men that tended to the acres of farm land on the Duke's property. They had a simple home together, but Rose was happy with her lot. "One day you will meet someone too, Meggie. Do not fret. My mother always told me there is someone for all of us...you just have to be patient."

Meggie plumped the pile of towels in the basket. "I have been patient...I fear I will be an old maid. I'm already twenty, and no prospect for a husband...!"

Rose chuckled. "One day, it will happen. Now, we need to get these linens upstairs afore the family wakes up."

In their big bed, Derek stretched languidly, and opened his eyes. He could tell it was still dark in the room, despite the heavy curtains closed around the bed. The sheets were still dotted with the remnants of rose petals after their night of passion, and Meredith was curled against him, her legs still tangled with his, and her hair in disarray on the pillows. He half-turned, pulling the feather comforter around them snugly. She shifted, and slipped her arm around his waist before opening her eyes to find him looking at her.

"Ah, you're awake..." he murmured, stroking her cheek.

"Mmm...not really..." she mumbled, burying her cheek into the pillows. For the moment, she was too content to snuggle with him, still feeling the delicious ache of the previous night's lovemaking. There were still rose petals on the sheets, and sticking to their skin, and she was aware that Rose would be shaking her head over the sight when she came to tidy up.

Derek took her left hand, and kissed her fingers, admiring the rings sparkling there in the shadows. "We do not have to get up yet, my love. No rush, after all. I am quite sure no one else will be eager to be stirring so early. Even the children will be sleeping in after the excitement last night."

"I believe you are correct."

His hand slid over the curve of her hip, pulling her closer to him in the process. "However...we are somewhat awake...and you are so warm and pliant in my arms...we should take advantage of our time together as always." His voice was low and compelling, seductive in her ear as he leaned over her. One lazy finger slid between her legs, and she twitched, her breathing ragged as he explored her slowly. A slow hot throb started to build in her core, and she moaned softly. His other hand was at her breast, teasing and rolling the nipple into a hard aching peak.

For a long time, they lay entwined that way, his hands just playing lazily with her, his breath warm on her skin. No words were necessary. She let herself float along in the erotic cocoon of his embrace.

He slid his hand down along her body, smoothing her skin and caressing her gently. More little gasps of pleasure escaped her lips, and he smiled, loving that he was able to make her feel this way. He feathered more kisses along her neck, first his breath tickling her, and then his tongue, down along her arm. He could feel her body trembling against him then, and he continued to touch her in unexpected places. First her thighs, then her belly and a pinch of her nipple, before a feather stroke to her clit.

She felt his cock pressing against her, and she reached to touch him in return, and she gently stroked him with one hand, her other placed on his thigh. She could feel his muscles tighten and quiver beneath her hands. With a little smile of surrender, he fell backward, letting her take over. Her hair fell across his chest as she placed tiny kisses on his skin, so that he groaned softly in response. Giving him a small smile, she then leaned over his cock, her warm breath tickling him. She held him with one hand, while her tongue slowly circled him at the tip. Her hand squeezed him and stroked up and down, while her tongue continued to caress him. His hips started to thrust up against her mouth, and she could him throbbing harder under her touch. Raising her eyes to catch his gaze on her, his gaze smouldering as she kept up the pressure with her hand.

"Ah, vixen, your mouth is heaven..." Derek muttered. His body tensed, under the delicate onslaught of her tongue and teeth, taking him to the edge of losing control. "Just wait..." He pulled her upwards, so they lay facing each other again, her leg pulled up around his hip, settling in between, just the tip of his cock pressing against her. As she opened wider, he slid easily into her, and they lay joined that way, feathering kisses on each other. She didn't want to move, he felt so perfect inside of her, filling her completely.

Slowly and leisurely, she rolled her hips towards him as he began to thrust into her. He kissed her, and his tongue found hers, as they began to pulse together in delicious rhythm. There was no hurry, or feverish lust; this was just being there in the moment, enjoying each other - his lips on hers, their hands touching everywhere.

Meredith began to moan, the slow thrusting finally igniting the spark of her climax, and it started to take over her body. It washed over her in waves, and she contracted around him, crying out as she came. He continued to kiss her as she rocked and spasmed, taking him along with her finally, in sweet release.

"Perfect...my love...the perfect start to the day..." he sighed, cradling her close.

Meanwhile, in their chambers, Izzie woke to a nagging pain in her lower back, and she bit her lip at the sensation. She rubbed her hand over her back, hoping it was just a part of the usual symptoms of carrying a child. Still, she had gone through this enough times already to know the that it wasn't just the normal feeling; after the last few days, it could only mean that the baby might be arriving sooner than expected.

"Marcus..." she whispered, and he stirred beside her, somewhat slowly. After retiring from the festivities, they had spent some time with the children, before coming to bed themselves. Despite her increasing size, Izzie was indeed talented with her hands and her mouth, and they had shared some passionate intimacies that had left them both sated. While she had fallen alseep quickly, he had sat by the fire, savoring a brandy and reading for awhile before joining her in bed.

She shook his shoulder again. "Marcus...wake up...can you call for Esme? I need some tea." Her long time maid always had the special tea that Izzie enjoyed, making sure to bring a container of it along wherever they travelled.

"Mmhmph..." Marcus sat up and scrubbed one hand over his jaw. He looked at his pretty wife, still wrapped in the blankets, a slight look of pain in her eyes. The look made him snap into wakefulness quickly. "Are you all right? Is it the baby?"

"Just call for the maid, please Marcus..." she murmured. "Tea, I need tea..."

"All right, just stay there." He moved quickly out of bed, and grabbed the clothes he had abandoned the night before. Stubbing his toe against the edge of the bed, unfamiliar in the dark with the room, he swore silently as he crossed the floor. It seemed too early for the baby, yet he wasn't entirely sure about that. It always seemed to take him unaware, the sudden rush of the childbirth, and then left him dazed in the aftermath.

Winston stalked purposefully through the quiet early morning corridors, checking to see that the footmen were in place, and that all evidence of the previous night's revelry had been cleared away. Several of the maids were already busy, carrying stacks of towels, ewers of hot water or gowns for pressing. Another busy day at Gracewood Manor was unfolding, and he made his way to the kitchen where cook handed him a cup of coffee. Before he could take a sip, however, he caught sight of Henry peeking around the corner of the doorway to the back portico. "Ah, there you are, you rascal..." he murmured, setting the cup aside. So far no one else spotted the ferret, and he intended to catch Henry before that happened. Moving silently, he crossed the room, in pursuit as the little creature made a dash for freedom. "Where are you off to now? And what you have hidden..."

This time, Henry led him through the back hallways towards the laundry area, where the air was steamy and fragrant with soap and starch. He darted under the stands of washtubs, and Winston picked up a pillowcase along the way for the capture. There was a jumble of dirty tablecloths waiting to be washed in the corner, and this was where Henry had made a new lair. "Caught you..." Winston muttered, holding up the pillowcase and then scooping up the ferret in one smooth move. "Do hold still..." he admonished, before inspecting the pile for ill gotten booty. There he found another pair of spectacles, some of the children's jacks, a jeweled hair clip, several ribbons, and a silver butter knife. "You've been busy..." he observed, collecting it all. "Back to the nursery with you...and hopefully you stay put." An optimistic idea, but one could always hope, he mused.

En route to the nursery he encountered Esme, Lady Isobel's maid. She dashed quickly along the hallway, skidding to a stop when she spotted him. "Oh, thank heavens...Winston!"

"Yes, Esme, what is it?"

"It's the baby…Lady Isobel is afraid that she's having the baby! And it's too soon…oh, my goodness…is there a midwife available…?" Her usual composure was rattled, unsure of who to call on since they weren't at home in familiar territory.

"I will send Dominic to fetch Dr. Wilding," Winston told her calmly. "Go on and return to her ladyship. I shall send for Rose as well; she will be able to help you until the doctor arrives."

Esme bobbed her head, before gathering her skirts to make a quick exit. "Thank you, I will tell her…"

For a second, Winston considered the wriggling captive in the pillowcase. "You have just earned a reprieve, scoundrel…" he murmured, setting Henry free. "No time to worry about you at the moment. Shoo!" Then he changed his direction, in search of Dominic and Rose. This day had just taken an unexpected turn, and he hoped all would turn out well in the end for the Lady Isobel.

By mid-morning, everyone at Gracewood was aware of what was happening. Kate, Lisbeth and Eleanor had taken over the nursery, organizing games to keep all of the children occupied. The men had sequestered themselves with Marcus in the library, doing their best to keep him calm. Dr. Wilding had arrived as soon as possible, to find Rose had efficiently prepared the room for childbirth, and Meredith sitting with Izzie, holding her hand.

"So, my lady," he greeted her warmly, "you seem to be in good hands already. How are you doing?"

"It's sooner than I expected. Will the baby be all right?" There was no doubt in her mind this was the day she was giving birth, whether or not the time was right. She only hoped that there was nothing wrong. She gripped Meredith's hand so tightly, holding her breath as a contraction took hold, that Meredith winced in sympathy.

"In my experience, the baby may be smaller than normal, but you appear to be far enough along that he, or she, will be healthy. Have you been feeling all right up until now?"

"Fine, just fine."

"Good..." He smiled at her reassuringly. "Then we have nothing to worry about."

"See, Izzie...everything will be all right," Meredith soothed her friend. Still, she felt a little apprehensive, despite Dr. Wilding's assurance. She had been through this herself enough times, but somehow it was rather a different situation being on the other side of the bed. However, for Izzie, she would summon her inner calm and help her through this - it was the least she could do.