CAUGHT IN THE ACT
"Penelope…what are you doing?"
The red-haired woman froze at the sound of her husband's low, clipped voice and closed her eyes briefly in dismay.
Of all the rotten luck.
She had thought that he would be out with his brothers for a while yet.
They were staying at Aubrey Hall for a couple of weeks as Anthony and Kate had returned earlier than planned with their newborn, Edmund. The men had ventured out for the evening to wet the baby's head and she'd not been able to sleep without Colin by her side.
Rather than staring at a blank ceiling, she had decided to read for a while, hence why she'd crept down the stairs in her nightwear to look for a book in the well-stocked library.
Slowly, she dropped her arm and straightened up, then twisted slightly to look down at her husband. He was staring back up at her and, to the casual observer, they would think that he was perfectly calm and at ease.
But Penelope knew better.
The thumb and forefinger on his left hand were furiously rubbing together in agitation. It was the only movement of his otherwise rigid posture. His normally full lips were tightly pressed into a thin line, but it was his eyes that were the real giveaway. Instead of the usual warmth that she had more than once waxed lyrical about, they were dark and stormy - with just a hint of fear.
"Colin! I did not think you'd be back so soon," she said, pasting a bright smile on her face.
"Clearly," he retorted brusquely.
He dared not say more in case he wouldn't be able to stop the flow of words. He still hadn't quite got over the shock of seeing his pregnant wife halfway up the library ladder, reaching out precariously just to grab a blasted book. He swore his heart had stopped for a moment only for it to jump start into a rhythm that would rival the beat of the most energetic jig.
Penelope cleared her throat a little and tried again. If she acted as though nothing were remiss, hopefully they would not have the confrontation she knew was coming.
"I was just looking for something to read while I waited up for you."
"And you could not find anything nearer the ground?" he questioned dryly.
The guilt she had been feeling quickly turned to annoyance at his words. That was nothing, however, to the irritation that heated her blood when Colin suddenly held out his hand to her with long suffering sigh and expectant look.
As though she were incapable of getting down from the ladder all by herself!
With a huff of frustration, she turned back to the shelves and quickly grabbed the novel she'd been after. Then, before he even had time to register what she'd done, she moved down a couple of rungs and shoved the book into his outstretched hand.
Ignoring his splutter of indignation, she continued her descent grumbling all the while.
"For goodness sake, Colin, we have spoken of this. You agreed to not be so…you. I am pregnant, not incapacitated…"
Unfortunately for her, she missed the last but one rung in her haste to get down and let out a little shriek of surprise as she slipped.
Colin immediately dropped the book and grabbed her firmly by the waist. Lifting her down, he set her on her feet none too gently then spun her around to face him.
If she had thought his eyes were stormy before, they were swirling like a positive tempest now. For a moment his grip tightened on her and she hoped he might pull her into his embrace, but he didn't. Instead, he let her go and took a step back, leaving her feeling bereft and a little shaken still from her slip. Without a word, he bent down and picked up the book then held it out to her.
"Colin…" she began imploringly.
"Not now, Penelope," he cut in curtly, then pressed the novel into her hands. "I am tired and off to bed. Enjoy your book."
She stared after him as he turned on his heel and walked out of the library, then let out a shaky sigh. Really, all this was of her own making. Be careful what you wish for, they say, and they, whoever they were, were right.
Ever since she had found out that she was expecting, Colin had seen to her every need. Indeed, he had been so attentive of her, that it had begun to feel a little stifling. She was very well able to look after herself as she'd reminded her husband quite sternly one evening when he'd insisted on taking her arm just to help her into bed.
He'd looked so hurt by her words but she'd been too wrapped up in her own indignation to offer an apology. Instead, he'd offered his own and assured her that he would be more mindful in the future.
That had been five days ago and he'd been true to his word.
Of course, he had still been there for her when she needed him, but she could tell he was restraining himself at times. That fact had then fuelled her guilt for asking it of him which, in turn, had made her irritable and prone to snap.
It was rapidly evolving into a vicious circle that she had hoped the unexpected time away from home would ease somehow.
And it had to a degree – until tonight.
But, Lord, he was angry with her now and rightly so. All because she wanted to prove a point. In truth, she'd given herself quite a fright when she'd missed her footing and Colin had obviously had one too. It was no wonder that he had walked away.
Placing a hand over her slightly swollen stomach, she took in a deep breath and let it out slowly.
First, she needed to apologise, then they needed to talk.
The room was dim when she entered quietly. The only light came from candles on each of the small bedside tables left burning for her to see her way. Her heart warmed to know that even in his ire, he still thought of her wellbeing.
She quickly took off her robe then dropped it and the book onto a chair before slipping into bed next to her husband. He was on his side, turned away from her, but she moved closer and propped herself up on her elbow to try and see his face in the warm glow of the flickering candlelight. His eyes were closed, breathing even and yet it couldn't have been more than a few minutes since he'd left her downstairs.
It was quick even for him to have succumbed to slumber.
"Colin?" she murmured softly.
Silence.
"Colin?" she tried again, a little louder.
Still nothing.
She reached out and touched his shirt clad arm, giving him a slight shake.
"Colin."
"I am asleep," he finally muttered grumpily without opening his eyes.
Despite herself, Penelope couldn't help a rueful smile.
"Colin, please, I wish to talk."
Her husband sighed and opened his eyes, turning his head slightly to look at her over his shoulder.
"Can it not wait until tomorrow?" he asked with a hint of frustration.
Penelope inched back a little and tugged insistently on his arm, hoping that he would roll onto his back where she could see him better. He went with her urging easily, which she took as a good sign, even though it was clear from his tone that he was still irked from what happened in the library.
"No. I wish to apologise," she told him in a rush. "It was foolish of me to climb the ladder as I did and even more foolish of me to not take your hand when you offered. I-It…When I slipped, I…"
She stopped and shook her head, unable to finish her thought but Colin could tell from the glint of tears in her eyes that it had scared her as much as him.
Suddenly, all his indignation melted away. He hated seeing her upset, even if it had been bought on by her own stubbornness.
"Come here," he murmured, lifting his arm in invitation. She immediately cuddled up to him and laid her head on his shoulder, hand coming to rest on his chest. He ran his hand up and down her back soothingly and felt her slowly relax against him.
"I do not wish for us to continue like this," she told him softly after a few moments of quiet.
Raising her head to look at him, he could still see the tears glistening, threatening to fall.
"Neither do I, Pen," he assured her earnestly, staring deep onto her eyes so she knew it to be true. A lone tear escaped and he gently brushed it away with his thumb before it had a chance to roll very far down her cheek. "Perhaps we should consider a compromise, yes?" he suggested, giving her a small, encouraging nod. He started to smile, trying to lighten the mood. "I shall limit the amount of times I ask if you are well to only…say…ten a day if you agree to stay with your feet firmly on the ground until the baby is born."
Penelope let out a laugh and sniffed as she wiped at her eyes.
"Maybe six times?" she countered hopefully.
"Eight and we have an agreement," he told her with a grin.
She laughed again and nodded.
"Deal."
"I believe it's not truly binding until we have sealed it in some way," he remarked, quirking a brow and tapping a finger on his bottom lip.
He gave her his best charming smile by way of further encouragement but Penelope was already moving in to capture his lips with a little giggle.
It was a gentle kiss at first, but then it deepened as Colin's hand came up to cup the back of her head, his other arm snaking around her waist and pulling her flush against him.
Suddenly, Penelope broke away and pulled back from him with a gasp, her eyes wide.
"What is it?" Colin asked urgently. "Do you need a chamber pot?"
Although she hadn't really suffered with sickness much due to her pregnancy, there had been the odd time it had reared its wretched head and he assumed this was one.
He went to get out of bed, but stilled when Penelope grabbed his hand and placed it palm down on her stomach.
"I think the baby moved," she told him emotionally, her voice barely above a whisper. She stared at him, her expression one of joy and wonder, then moved his hand slightly to the left. "There…can you feel it?"
He couldn't. It was likely still too early but that didn't stop the indescribable happiness he felt knowing their child was growing well.
"No, but I'm sure it will only be a matter of time," he replied, his voice as quiet as hers. It was if any louder and it might break the spell of the precious moment. She moved his hand again, wanting him to share what was happening even if he couldn't physically experience it for himself yet. "What does it feel like?"
"Butterflies," Penelope replied with a brilliant smile, then leaned in to give him a brief kiss before adding softly, "and our love."
Love indeed, he thought happily and it was their love that would always see them through, even if they were at times at odds.
He claimed a kiss. Then another. And another. Soon the air was filled soft moans and whispered endearments as their bodies came together and they headed for completion.
Once spent, Colin blew out the candles then settled down behind his wife and drew her back against him, hand splayed over her stomach.
"Are you well, Pen?" he muttered sleepily into her hair.
"Very well," she replied, smiling to herself in the darkness.
He really couldn't help himself and she suddenly realised that she wouldn't have it any other way.
