The Lady and the Gunner
Chapter 7 – The Homecoming Unexpected
Lady Elizabeth Hobbs, as she styled herself, was very large. It was two weeks to Christmas and the doctor wondered if she would make it to her due date into January. She was large, larger even than she had been at Michaelmas, which had been the first week of October. She had been confirmed to be carrying twins.
Moving about tired her easily, but she went for walks unless the weather was bad. Portsmouth was notoriously cloudy and it was up to her cousin, Emma who was a year younger than she and the oldest of Emma's brothers, Pownoll to keep her company.
It was raining this day and Elizabeth looked out the window as the rain fell in sheets. Soon it would turn to snow and she would be confined to the house. She sighed and took the tea Maybelle offered her. A carriage pulled up to the house.
She cocked her head and looked at Emma who was nearby. "Are we expecting visitors?"
"Not that I know of." She answered.
Then there was a knock.
Z+Z
Sir Edward Pellew stood in his offices in the fortifications of Portsmouth as the rain fell. There was a knock. He sighed. "Enter." He called without turning. He stood hands behind him watching the rain. Well, well, Mr. Hobbs had proven himself very well over the last months and the accounts from Hornblower made Pellew happy to have the man as a nephew by marriage. He was well on his way to being Pellew's age with his little wife who was only eighteen, finally the age in which her inheritance would be bestowed upon her. Dear lord, the gunner had no idea how rich he was. The prize money alone he had gotten gave him over three hundred pound, more than a gunner would ever see and his lady wife had a fortune in the thousands. Enough to certainly buy him a commission somewhere. Perhaps under Hornblower.
His staff captain opened the door. "Captain Hornblower and Mr. Hobbs of the Retribution as requested, sir."
"Very good, thank you Captain Millet."
Pellew heard the door shut before he turned. "I have heard you have taken many spoils of war, captain. Very good. As reward, your men will be staying here for Christmas while the Retribution is repaired."
Hornblower nodded. "Thank you sir."
Pellew's gaze lifted to Hobbs who was standing flanking his captain. "And you. Are you grateful for your leave?"
"Of course sir." He said.
"You have lost weight man." Pellew said eyeing him.
"A bit of rough times I am afraid sir." Hobbs said. "But we managed."
"Spoken like a gunner." Pellew mused. "Well then go on then. Hornblower there are a number of inns I can recommend to you, but I hope you will do me the honor of joining my family for Christmas."
"It would be a pleasure sir."
Pellew nodded. "Hobbs."
"Sir." The man said.
"I am sure you are most eager to see your wife, sir. So if your captain will dismiss you, I have a carriage ready to take you to her."
Hobbs' eyes sparkled a little as he took a breath. "Is she well, sir?"
"As well as can be expected, but you know how damn temperamental the Irish can be." Pellew said. "She has taken to throwing things to show her displeasure since she can no longer move."
Hobbs smirked a little.
"Find that funny do you?" Pellew asked.
The smile dropped. "No sir."
Pellew smiled. "You will be a gentleman under my roof sir. We need to learn to at least tolerate each other."
"Yes sir."
"Excuse me sir, but why would you know his wife so well, sir?" Hornblower asked. "I mean he speaks of little else and has kept to himself often, reading, writing…." He paused. "Helping the other men read a little…"
"Her education has served you well then." Pellew said.
"It has, sir." Hobbs said.
"In answer to your question, your gunner here is my nephew by marriage and his wife has been in my household since we sailed back from Jamaica."
"I had heard he had married, it was Elizabeth, the woman we found being held by pirates, a merchants' orphan daughter."
"She is an orphan, just from a rather powerful family, sir." Hobbs said.
"And you said nothing. Hell's teeth man, you could have been killed in some of the actions." Hornblower hissed at Hobbs.
"I did not want any special treatment as her husband. And I still do not, sir."
Hornblower nodded. "Very well. You are dismissed until the Retribution sails again, Mr. Hobbs."
"Sir."
"Best of luck to you." Hornblower said taking his hand. "I hear she is near to her birthing. I hope it is a strong lad."
Hobbs took his hand and smiled at him. "I am hoping for a girl, sir. One who looks like her, I can hope."
"She would be a rather ugly babe if she looked like you, sir." Pellew said smiling.
Hobbs laughed then. "Indeed sir." He looked to Hornblower. "Then I shall see you at Christmas."
"Indeed. Commodore. I shall see you both at Christmas then."
Pellew took his hand and Hornblower left. Hobbs remained where he stood and looked to Pellew. "She has a temper does she?"
"Oh Aye. Even worse than her mother. God in heaven I have never heard such things from a woman."
Hobbs sighed. "I suspect you all blame me for that."
"Certainly my wife does, sir, but I have blamed it on her tenure as a merchant daughter." He wiggled his eyebrows. "They are worse than sailors you know."
Hobbs smiled and shook his head. "When may I go see her, sir?"
Pellew shook his head. "First a brandy. You will need it man."
Hobbs took it and watched Pellew and then drank the shot and let the strong alcohol burn down his throat. He looked at the amused face of the Commodore. "Thank you sir."
"Indeed. Now you may go to her. The coach is waiting outside to take you to her."
"You are not coming sir?"
"And spoil you seeing her for the first time in seven months, hell no. Go on then." He smiled nodding for the door.
"Thank you sir." Hobbs said going to the door.
The coach ride was less than five minutes, but it seemed like hours. How had she changed? Pellew made no mention of the child being born and he had heard in the later months they were often angry from the hormones raging in their bodies. He sighed as the coach stopped.
He opened the door and stepped out, putting on his hat and walking to the door. He knocked.
A young mulatto woman opened the door. "Yes?"
"I am here to call on, Mrs. Hobbs, Miss."
"Come in before you drown then." The maid said.
He nodded and came in. He was wearing his seal skin long coat, and hat. He removed his hat and looked about at the house. There were so many nice things he was afraid to move himself.
A woman appeared at the stair. An older woman, with sharp eyes and a haughty look. She had to be the lady of the house, Lady Pellew. "Well, well. Look what the storm has brought us, Libby."
"Let me take your coat, sir." The maid said. He nodded and removed it and offered it to her and his hat. She took them with a smile and bowed to him.
"Thank you." He said.
The woman stepped closer and Hobbs stood, hands behind him as he regarded her. "You need not burden yourself by speaking to the staff, Mr. Hobbs." She looked at him. "You are certainly a giant among men. I can see how your size would be good as a gunner." Her voice dripped hate.
"Forgive me, Madam. We have not been introduced. I am Mr. Hobbs. You are the aunt of my wife, I do believe." He said taking her hand and kissing the knuckles as he bowed.
"Well someone at least taught you how to address a woman. I am Lady Jane Pellew." She said nodding to him. "So I am to understand you are the husband of my dear, niece then?" She narrowed her eyes. "She turned down a Major for you. What a young little idiot."
"I could not agree more, but here we are." He said evenly.
"Leave him be, aunt." Came a soft voice on the stair.
Lady Jane sighed. "Very well."
Elizabeth stood with Emma helping her stand, her very full belly making it hard for her to stand upright. She smiled down at Hobbs. Hobbs forgot all sense of decorum and ran to her. "Lizzy!" He gasped. Emma stepped back as his wife stood back on the landing and looked at him.
"Jami." Elizabeth breathed.
He pulled her to him for a kiss and his hands were in her hair and around her. "Oh I love you so." He whispered. He stepped back, an arm around her, the other going to her massive belly. He caressed the swell lovingly. "You look beautiful."
She hissed. "Come off it. I look like a house." She looked up at him a laugh in her eyes. "Jami. Oh Jami, you are home for Christmas."
"More importantly for you and our child." He said looking at her before he kissed her again. He held her gently by her face, feeling her belly press against him. He could not be happier.
"Sir, my cousin must rest. She is so easily tired." Emma said behind him.
He pulled back and Elizabeth smiled. "My cousin is a bit over protective, Jami. My dearest cousin Emma Pellew."
Hobbs turned. "A pleasure, my dear, and you are right. Come, where is her room?"
"This way sir."
He nodded and walked with his wife, supporting her to her room. He helped her drop onto the divan before he sat in the chair beside her. Emma watched him wearily. "Oh come now." Elizabeth said. "He is my husband not just some man, Emma."
Emma nodded. "Sorry sir." She said.
Hobbs caught her elbow. "No I am grateful to have someone as protective of her as I am. Thank you cousin Emma."
"Can I call you Jami too?" She asked. "I like the name."
"Of course if you wish." He said looking at her. She was a small girl for her age and looked like a twig the gunner could snap at will.
He sighed and looked at Elizabeth. His hand went to her belly. "When are you to give birth?"
"Any day now, I hope." She muttered.
Emma smiled. "The babes have been making her very tired, Jami."
"Babes?" He looked up sharply and then looked at his wife.
"On account of my size. The doctor seems to think I am bearing twins." Elizabeth said.
The look on Hobbs face made Elizabeth smile. He bent his head and kissed her belly and sighed. "So beautiful."
All she could do was smile and laugh at the look of adoration in his eyes.
Z+Z
Dinner was an interesting affair. Sir Edward had returned home and had arrived, dripping as the maid took his things, he noted his niece descending the stairs with Hobbs at her elbow supporting her, looking like a maid as he fretted over her stepping down.
He nodded to them, the gunner saluted out of habit and then helped his wife down the last stair.
Pellew smiled. "Well it does me good to see you about niece."
"It is at Mr. Hobbs' insistence."
Hobbs smiled tolerantly. "She needs to have her supper sir."
"Indeed. Come then I am sure my Lady wife is waiting."
Indeed she was. Her eyes narrowed as the man helped his wife into a chair and then sat beside her next to Pellew. Pellew was at the head of the table and his wife and children were about it other than the smaller three who were two young for such a table and indeed were already abed.
The conversation was civil as Hobbs answered the direct questions of the Lady. Jane seemed to watch him like an insect while Pellew treated the man with respect and told him to speak of his exploits on the Retribution.
Hobbs obliged to the entertainment of the boys, commodore, and his wife who was listening.
After Pellew invited him to the side room for a brandy while the women fussed about Elizabeth and saw her upstairs.
"I admire your courage." Pellew said offering the man a glass.
Hobbs took it and stood at ease. He sipped the brandy and regarded the man. "How so, sir?"
"You faced the enemy well. I have no doubt your actions have served you well."
"The enemy sir?"
"My lady wife finds your presence to be a bother. Never you mind. She will come around eventually. You are a good man Mr. Hobbs."
"Thank you sir."
He finished his brandy and walked up the stairs. He encountered Lady Pellew there with a candle. She narrowed her eyes at him, but he merely smiled and bowed to her as he continued up to his wife's room.
Elizabeth was abed, not sleeping, but on her side listening to the rain.
"Lizzy?"
"Yes?"
"You are not asleep?"
"It is getting harder to sleep." She said.
He came to her and touched her cheek. "You are not in labor are you?" His eyes held concern.
"No." she said.
He nodded and began to undress. He then sighed after stoking the fire and climbed into the bed with her. He sighed burying his face in her hair, breathing in her scent and feeling her body against him. Good lord he had not been in a soft bed in months and to have the body of his wife next to him made him smile.
He kissed her shoulder. "I love you so much." His hand caressed her belly. The child moved under his hand. He gasped at the feel and he sat up. "Was that…?"
"Yes. It was a baby."
He grinned and laid his head against her, his cheek pressed to her. The baby moved and fluttered. He chuckled feeling it ripple and move. He turned his head and kissed her softly. "Hello, my angel. Do you know your Papa already?"
He felt her belly tighten under his cheek and hand and looked at her curiously. She had her eyes closed and he touched her arm. She looked up at him, her eyes held a twinge of pain. She looked up at him and smiled though it was more of a grimace. "That is nothing."
"That was a contraction." He said. He had felt them on the stock animals and one lady whom they had rescued and had been in a skiff with them. He had helped in the delivery of the baby in the small boat before they could return to the Retribution. He gained the respect of the men with him for his level head and his ability to keep the woman calm. The baby had come when they were not expecting it, likely the stress of and attack on her port home, but she was an Englishwoman. The baby had come right before the Retribution had come around a spit of land. Captain Hornblower had commended him and even Styles and Matthews had been impressed as he cut the cord and had washed the baby's face to clear it so it could breathe. The mother was thankful and had named her new son Jamison after her large rather bemused midwife.
His wife had been amused by the story when he told it to her before they had come to dinner. She now looked at him tolerantly as he sat there, his ponytail over one shoulder feeling her belly as the contraction subsided. She smiled at him. "They are false contractions, the doctor has told me. The real thing will take me to the floor and making me cry out."
He nodded a little and pressed his cheek to her. He was satisfied with that for the moment. He had to admit his wife was not screaming in pain as the poor woman had been when she had fought her contractions with the five men about her. Gunner Hobbs being the most senior too charge and the others were happy to follow his lead.
She smiled and caressed his hair as she settled feeling him against her. Eventually he moved to his pillow and sighed relaxing holding her possessively.
Z+Z
The Lady of the house somewhat warmed to the gunner when he had helped her. It had taken about a week for her to even be remotely civil to him. He, however, treated her with respect. Something Pellew had noted to his wife. He may be lower born, but he knew how to show respect and be civil, which was more than she was being to him. After he had been grudgingly civil until she had saved her in the atrium one day.
She had nearly been crushed and he had saved her. Even she had to admit having a man as powerful as he was around could be of use. She also had to admit to the love she saw between him and her niece. He was a good man and it was her pride getting in the way.
A heavy object had fallen and trapped her in the atrium. He liked it there. He could listen to the rain and look at the plants she kept there. More than once she had found him on a bench quietly reading a book as his wife rested. She had no idea he could read and he was reading a translation of Dante's Inferno. She had commented that it was not material that really suited him. He had looked up greeted her by standing and replied he was actually interested more in understanding the references his wife and Pellew used at times. He then returned to his book and lifted a leg up becoming comfortable on his perch, clearly showing she had not phased him in the slightest.
No one was in the house whom could help except him. He had heard her cries when he had come to read once more after seeing his wife to resting. He had heard her and looked about. He then saw her pinned under the fallen statue. It was clear that it has somehow been moved to the side, perhaps to clean around, but it had fallen off its pedestal. Thankfully it was small. Smaller than a man, but made of solid stone it would be heavy. If it moved it would crush her legs doing her injury.
"Mr. Hobbs." She said. "Help me." She said looking up at him. He was in his blue pants, white shirt, and waistcoat. His hair was tied back in a neat ponytail. She had to admit that though the years had weathered him, he was still a handsome man. A tall man. Though only a couple inches taller than her husband, he was easily twice his breath in shoulders. He took in the situation with caution not wishing to harm her more.
He looked at her and unfolded his arms. He knelt down looked the statue over. It could not weigh more than his twenty-four pounder guns. He looked at the marble and lifted it, straining with effort, but he freed her and set it upright. He sighed and looked down at her.
She had moved to the side and he sighed sweat on his brow from the exertion of lifting the statue back. He looked at her and had knelt down. "Are your legs injured?" He asked looking at her.
"Scrapped maybe. I cannot tell."
"Can you move them?"
She moved them, but hissed a bit in pain. He looked at her. "May I?" He asked. She knew he was going to check for injuries. The man was used to battle wounds and she nodded swallowing her pride for the moment. "Very well." She said. She sighed. She had been impressed with the ease he had lifted the statue and he looked at her kindly.
He lifted her skirts to her knees where her stockings were. He felt them and she hissed a little in pain, but nodded. She was bruised, but nothing broken, thank God.
"Well?"
"You will be sore a few days, my lady, but nothing is broken." He said pulled her skirts back. He rose to his feet, joints popping a bit as he did. He sighed remembering he was no longer a youth. He sighed and moved his neck feeling his neck crack. He then bent and offered his hands.
She took them and he helped her to her feet. She gasped her body becoming vertical too quickly. He caught her against him as she swooned. He held her a moment as her hand pressed to her head. He sighed looking at her. He wrapped her arm about his powerful shoulders and shifted her in his arms so that one arm was around her back and the other was under her knees. He lifted and carried her out of the atrium, turning so he could carry her through the doors sideways.
He startled Maybelle who had been in the hallway. He looked at her as he walked sideways in the narrow hallways. "Maybelle, some water if you please." He said to her. "And a pillow or two. Perhaps a finger of spirits to revive the Lady."
"Of course sir."
"Thank you."
He walked to the parlor and laid her on a fainting couch and knelt beside her as he gently tapped her cheek. "Lady Pellew?"He asked looking at her.
Her eyes came into focus as she looked at him. "Mr. Hobbs." She said looking at him.
He nodded as he looked up as Maybelle brought him a small pitcher of water and a basin with a cloth. She also held a small shot glass. Hobbs nodded looking up at her. "Thank you Maybelle."
"Will that be all, sir?"
"For now." He nodded. Hobbs supported the Lady's head as he gently pressed it to her lips. "Drink." He said softly.
She did so and winced at the burn, but felt her pains easing at the small sip of alcohol. He poured water into the basin. He wetted a cloth in the basin as he rolled up his sleeves to his elbows revealing his strong arms that were riddled with scars from small burns from powder, the hot guns, and even some from small wounds he had received. She could not see the scars on his back nor the cut on his bicep from where he tried to stop his captain from being shot. He also had a small scar by his temple from Randall at his desertion when he had hit Hobbs with the butt of a rifle. His hair hid that one from view.
He wrung out the cloth and then folded it and pressed it to her brow. She looked up at him and smiled a little. "I would have never thought such a brute could be so gentle."
"I am not a brute, my lady."
"No." She agreed. She touched his arm. "Forgive me. I have been unkind to you."
"I am not of your station. I can understand your reluctance to accept me."
"I am starting to see what Bess sees in you." She said.
The door opened and the Commodore came in. He was startled by the scene before him and stepped forward. "What the hell happened here?"
Hobbs rose to his feet. "Your Lady wife had an accident in the atrium, sir. I am caring for her." He coughed. A statue fell on her.
"You did not call a doctor?" Pellew asked.
"No sir. She insisted I not, sir." Hobbs said.
"There is no need, Edward." Lady Jane said. She smiled a little. "I am being well looked after. I dare say that after the number of wounds he has seen, I am an easy charge."
He smiled at her. "Indeed, my lady. And you are not nearly as fuss as the woman whose babe I helped into the world."
Pellew regarded them. "Well I do believe my wife is warming to you sir."
"Yes, I believe I am." She said smiling as she took Hobbs' hand in hers. "You must tell me the story of you helping a woman birth a babe soon."
"There is not much to tell."
"Balderdash, man." Pellew said. "I read the report. You saved both their lives and the delivered the child. No false modesty now, hum?"
Hobbs nodded. "Very well, my lady. I will tell you at dinner."
She smiled up at him. "Do you wish to go back to your reading, sir? I fear I interrupted your time."
"It was worth it, my lady. Actually I will sit here, if I may while you recover."
"I would be glad of your company." She said nodding to a seat near her.
"Well, well." Sir Edward said. "A day for surprises it would seem."
Hobbs nodded and dropped into the chair and opened the book he had been carrying. "I had to start a new book, Madam."
"Oh? What now?
"Vol-tai-ri?" He asked looking at the cover. "Actually I was wondering if you could tell me, Madam?"
"Voltaire." She smiled at him. "That is most impressive, Mr. Hobbs."
Pellew looked at him and chuckled. "You will soon have my library read, sir."
"I doubt that sir. This will take me some time to work out the words. I will doubtless have to ask my wife for the meanings of some words."
"You can ask any of the three of us." Lady Jane said.
He nodded relaxing. Pellew smiled at him and walked from the room. So he had charmed his wife. Good for him. Two days ago she had been polite, but cold. Now she was willing to help him read books that even Pellew had not read more than once.
The gunner was comfortable reading while his wife reclined on the couch. Pellew sighed. At least peace in his household.
There was a muted crash upstairs followed by soft footfalls. A small voice came from the stairs. "Is someone there?"
Hobbs looked at Pellew and rose to his feet, setting the book down as they both moved to the stairs where the girl stood. It was Emma.
"What is it child?" Hobbs asked looking down at her.
"It's Bess. I think she is in labor." The girl said looking winded. She had scratches on her arms. Hobbs had no doubt it was from her cousin's grip in the middle of the hard contractions. The young woman in the boat had broken a bone in Style's hand as he held it to help her through the pains.
"Are you sure?" Pellew asked.
"She was bent over and there was blood under her when she moved. She says it hurts badly, Papa."
"For how long?" Pellew asked.
"She has been in pain for nearly an hour, but the blood came on the last pain." Emma said.
Hobbs looked at Pellew. "Her waters broke sir. Fetch the midwife if you would be so kind, sir." He moved to Emma and cupped her chin. "Go tell the maids to boil water and find towels." He said looking at her. "Then attend your lady mother. Do you understand me?"
"Yes, Jami." She said quivering with excitement and nerves.
"Good, girl." He breathed and kissed her brow then stepped back to allow her around him.
"She picked a damn fine time for it. It is snowing hard." Pellew said putting on his great coat to go outside.
"Well it is a gunner baby, sir, naturally it will be stubborn and come when it wills."
Pellew grinned at the gunner's humor as he opened the door. "Indeed sir."