The Purple Thistle

[Opensesame54321]

She waited expectantly all day with no Alexander in sight. Anna had informed the staff to avoid speaking of The Count if at all possible. And if unable to do so, then by all means be positive

Meanwhile, Veronique found it increasingly difficult to walk, her stomach in the way. Everything she ate gave her indigestion. No matter how she sat it felt as if there was a lump in her stomach. In reality, there was. Periodically the baby seemed to be dancing a jig inside of her and unfortunately all of this made her crabby. And Anna seemed to take the brunt of Veronique’s shortened temper.

The sun was setting and Anna was talking to the Cook, trying to come up with something that would set well with the Countess when one of the maids came running in, worried.

“Oi wuz gettin’ ready to draw the receiving room’s draperies ‘hen Oi looks frew tha windows owitside and saw the Missus sittin’ owtsides. Loik she’s waitin’ fer ya Master.”

Anna rushed outside to find Veronique sitting on the bench out front, her eyes anxiously scanning the horizon for Alexander.

“My Lady...” was all she got out before Veronique turned to look at her, tears threatening to spill from her eyes.

“Anna, what if something has happened to him? How will I raise his child alone? How will I live without him?”

“First, you are not alone. Everything will be fine.”

“But where is he? I know that he loves me and he would be here...unless something has happened to him. Even Percy has not turned up to tell me. If I was not pregnant I would hire a boat and go over there and bring him home.”

“He will come home. .”

“He is not dead. If he were I would know. But something has happened. I worry that he is hurt. I worry that someone is trying to kill him.” Veronique began to cry and Anna took the woman in her arms, trying hard to calm her Mistress.

Over Veronique’s shoulder, she saw Claude coming around the corner of the manor, looking worried.

“Countess, this cannot be good for the baby. Why not come inside? It is dark and it will soon be time to eat.”

Both Anna and Claude were very insistent and Veronique soon found herself between the two being led back into the house. She knew that it was important that she show him dignity befitting that of a Countess so she pulled herself back together.

Quite truthfully she was not hungry. However, she was well aware that she needed to keep her strength so she made a definite effort to carry on, if not for herself then at least for hers and Alexander’s child.

That night, the bed was cold and lonely. She was so afraid that she would lose the child and would have to explain to Alexander how she had not taken care of herself. Still she miss him, and worried that something had happened to the love of her life. But she could not help herself as she lay in her lonely bed crying herself to sleep.

 

[cumnchat]

The days that they spent in the cave seemed never ending as they had to be silent and douse the fire as they could hear the Frenchies searching for them. Fortunately the slope down to the pond was so steep that none of the searchers even contemplated taking more than a cursory glance over the edge. The cave itself was quite small and not very high so none of them could do more than crouch or move on all fours, Percy, with his great height suffered the most; most of the time bent almost double.

At night they could talk and sat just outside the cave entrance just so they could stretch their cramped legs. Their talk quite naturally turned to home and Alexander frequently expressed his concern for Veronique surmising all the what ifs, what might happen to her if he could not get back in time for the birth or even not at all. Sage and Percy did their best to keep his spirits up, saying that the Frenchies would give up their search after a couple of days. It was then that Percy dropped his bombshell.

"We should not be thinking of getting home just yet, we came on a mission of mercy to save a gentleman from the guillotine, we have not accomplished that mission yet, we save Pierre Lamont, then, and only then can we think about going home with our heads held high, not with our tails between our legs."

Alexander's heart sank, he knew Percy was right of course but it didn't stop him thinking about Veronique, he knew she would be worried and thinking the worst, if only there were some way he could get a message to her, but that was impossible.

"How do you propose we accomplish this mission impossible? The Frenchies will be on their guard now and we do not even know where he has been taken."

"On the contrary Alexander, I know exactly were they have taken him, our intervention has disrupted their plans apart from our own, they have wasted a couple of days scouring the countryside looking for us."

He gave one of his well known high pitched whinnies,

"They seek him here, they seek him there, those Frenchies seek him everywhere, is he in Heaven? Is he in Hell, that damned elusive Pimpernel."

 

[Opensesame54321]

Veronique did not think it possible to get larger or more uncomfortable but each day she felt so. As she waddled across the room, she felt ungainly.

“I feel as if I am giving birth to a litter rather than a baby,” she told Anna rather dourly. “I am assuming that I still have feet at the ends of my legs. I have not seen them for so long that I had thought it merely a rumor that they were still there.”

Anna laughed and assured her that they still existed. Since the Master had left, Anna had moved into the room beside the Master bedroom and slept with the door propped open. If Veronique should need to use the chamber pot during the night, there was no way that the woman could successfully negotiate her way out of bed and hover over the thing without aid.

Plus she wanted to be nearer the Countess to keep her from brooding about Alexander’s extended absence. She had offered several times to send a man to see if he could get information should she know where to send him. Yet each time, the Countess would grow quiet and shake her head.

There was a knock at the bedroom door and Anna crossed to answer it. Simmons stood there looking very formal. He gave a nod to Anna and spoke sotto voce, “There is a woman downstairs wishing to speak to Her Ladyship. It is that woman that arrived with the woman that died here. Her name is Caroline but she is now going by the name of Lady Caroline.”

Anna hesitated. She really did not want to remind Veronique about Bella and that time - especially with her own time to give birth rapidly approaching. She raised a finger to tell Simmons to wait a moment and turned back to find her Mistress waiting to see what was going on.

“You have a visitor downstairs. It is...Lady Caroline?”

Veronique hesitated for only a minute. “Yes, have her wait in the Morning Room.”

Thirty minutes later she was being helped down the stairs by Simmons. Once down, she thanked him and sent him and Anna on their way before waddling into the Morning Room.

Caroline sat there smartly dressed in a light blue shantung dress with white and dark blue accents. Veronique felt ungainly next to the woman but she greeted her warmly, wondering if the woman might have any news of the men.

“Lady Caroline...”

“Please,” the woman interjected. “I am Caroline. There is no need for false titles. You know who and what I am.”

“Was. You are now a Lady as far as anyone else is concerned.”

The woman smiled. “Thank you.” Caroline hesitated.

“Is there a problem?”

Caroline lowered her voice. “I know that Percy left on an ‘adventure’ overseas. And I know that he left with your husband. But it is several days past the date when he said that he would return. I was wondering if your husband had returned?” Veronique shook her head. “And he has sent no word?” Again she shook her head.

Caroline sighed. “I probably should not have come. I can see that your time is near and I would not want to cause you anything disconcerting.”

Veronique rested a hand upon her swollen belly. “I worry for Alexander as you worry for Percy. But I am as much in the dark as you.”

For the next hour, the two women learned more about each other. “Our history may mold us, but it does not command us. We are responsible for the person we become.”

Veronique invited Caroline to stay for lunch and at least for a couple of hours she had a woman that felt as she did, worrying for her man. By the time that Caroline left, most of the afternoon had passed and the two women seemed closer to possibly eventually becoming good acquaintances.

 

[cumnchat]

On their third night in the cave the conversation turned to family, Sage, being single with no family to speak of sat silently listening to Alexander and Percy discussing their relative situations. Alexander admitted that he was pining for Veronique and was worried that he might not be home in time for the birth of his first child. Percy did not reply for several minutes as he did not want to give Alexander the impression that he still desired Veronique. Eventually he spoke rather wistfully it seemed,

"I would marry her Alexander, believe me I would."

"Marry? Marry who Percy? Are you not already married?"

Caroline, I would marry Caroline if I could but as you say I am tied by law to Marguerite St. Just, known as the 'cleverest woman in Europe', she is indeed clever, scampering back to France after disclosing her evil behaviour denouncing Count St Cyr to the peasants and causing the deaths of the whole family, I want nothing more to do with the woman."

He spoke harshly and with a scowl on his face but Alexander saw something in his eyes that belied his words, Percy was still in love with his estranged wife.

Alexander made no comment on the matter other than to say,

"'Tis only your business Percy but you could divorce Marguerite for desertion."

He chose his next words carefully,

"You say you would marry Caroline, I trust that she makes you happy?"

"Yes she does, or as happy as a man in my situation can be, we joust merrily in bed most nights and so long as I don't mention her time as a whore we get along fine."

"'Tis your life Percy, but I cannot see that as a base for a long and happy marriage."

"Maybe you are right Alexander,but the question does not arise does it? I am tied to Marguerite."

After that the conversation waned and they both fell asleep with Alexander dreaming of Veronique and holding her in his arms again.

 

[Opensesame54321]

It became obvious that something was wrong. As day after day passed with no sign of Alexander, not even a word from him, Veronique’s level of worry grew. And the fact that Caroline herself had not heard from Percy gave her even more cause for worry. Something had happened and all she could do was pray that they had not been captured, for if they had those Frenchmen would waste no time in... she could not continue that thought.

Anna and Claude did their best to try and keep her busy, or as busy as she could be in her condition. The bedroom on the other side of the Master bedroom had been prepared as the nursery. Alexander, several months ago, had found the crib that apparently had been used when he was born. It had been pulled down from the attic and given a thorough cleaning. Veronique had dressed everything in yellow and green, trying to give everything a cheery and bright feeling, though cheery and bright she certainly did not feel.

She was on edge, wishing that Alexander had told his old friend to get lost. Instead, off he had headed with the merry band to rescue those in need. She felt the baby kick and she rubbed her belly trying to calm the baby down. Alexander was so much better at this.

Later that day Doctor Fredrick arrived to check on her. After checking her over, he shook his head.

“This child should come any time. I hope that you have the nursery ready.”

“Yes. Definitely. Though I do believe that this child shall be large enough when born to walk and talk right after you spank its bottom.”

“Has Count Vernay returned?”

Veronique hesitated, using the excuse of trying to find a comfortable way to sit as she tried to think of just how to answer. She missed the look that passed between Anna and the Doctor and the slight shake of the head as the maid tried to let him know that the subject was a bit taboo.

“No, Doctor, he has been delayed. Is not ‘any time’ a bit ahead of time?”

“Yes, maybe just a bit. But sometimes a first child will arrive a bit early. Sometimes a bit late. It is all up to the baby. I find that they usually arrive whenever they want to, no matter when we tell them to.” He gave a little chuckle. “I would say that when this baby comes, it will be a handful.”

Once Anna and the Doctor left, Veronique lay back in bed, crying. ‘Oh Alexander, my love, where are you? I so need you.”

 

[cumnchat]

On the fifth day in the cave their meagre supplies had almost gone and Percy gathered both Alexander and Sage around him,

"You know why we are having this meeting, we are in dire straits with almost no food, we have plenty of water which is good. So, what do we do? We have not heard anyone searching for us for two days now, so they have either given up or moved to search another area, which, I admit I don't know. As you both know we came here on a mission, a mission to save Pierre Lamont from Madame Guillotine, which as yet we have not yet done so I propose that we make another attempt tonight and then flee to the coast to await Dreamboat which will be waiting in two days time."

Alexander spoke up for both himself and Sage,

"Your sentiments are both worthy and brave but foolish, we do not know where they are keeping him or even if he is still in the vicinity or where that might be. Can we not head for the coast tonight instead?"

"That is where you are mistaken Alexander, I know exactly where he is, there is a small farm no more than three miles from here, they will have taken him there while they search for us. They will do their utmost to earn kudos with their masters in Paris by arriving with us three in captivity as well as M'sieur Lamont. How do I know about this farm? I scouted this area some time ago for just such a situation as we find ourselves in. All I ask is that you trust me."

Sage, the quiet one of the three spoke,

"Percy, you are our leader and so of course we trust you, I, for one would follow you to the Gates Of Hell and beyond."

"Well said Sage, I agree, we will follow your lead Percy." stated Alexander, "What is the plan?"

"Gather round and I'll tell you."

***************

Later that day at dusk they lay on a ridge overlooking the farmhouse and the three barns and pigpen. They had watched the farm for two hours now, noting the comings and goings of the enemy. They had seen food being taken into the barn nearest the pigpen and surmised that was where Pierre Lamon was being held, there were two guards stationed just outside who obviously didn't take their duties seriously as one rolled himself in a blanket to sleep while the other kept watch.

"Demned amateurs, they can't even trust each other to keep watch, fortunately for us." Muttered Percy as they snaked their way down towards the barn on their stomachs. On reaching the pigpen they sheltered behind the wall surrounding the pen.

"Right Alexander, as you are the farmer amongst us you will know how to rouse the pigs into a stampede, give us five minutes to get into position then get to work."

Percy grinned and disappeared into the darkness with Sage.

Exactly five minutes later the pigs began to grunt and squeal noisily and Alexander slipped back the bolt holding the door shut and the pigs charged towards the guard who took off in fright as they stampeded towards him, the sleeping guard was trampled under foot.

Alexander saw the two shadowy figures slip inside the barn and less than two minutes later three figures reappeared, the one in the middle being supported on either side.

"You have him then ?" Asked Alexander as they all melted into the darkness heading towards the coast ten miles away.

 

[Opensesame54321]

It had been a week since Alexander had left. She had heard the whispers of those that wondered if he had left her, some saying that the idea of impending fatherhood had frightened him off. One person swore that they had been told that Alexander had been spotted in the tavern in a nearby village, flirting with some doxie and swilling beer. Another repeated a story that the newest highwayman supposedly favored the Master and how Alexander must have taken to nefarious means to support his family.

Every time that such stories reached her ears, it upset and hurt Veronique. Finally, one morning after overhearing the latest rumor, she had had enough of such gossip and told Anna and Claude to gather everyone at the foot of the stairs within 30 minutes.

She sat in the hall upstairs, wearing her wrapper as for one thing, she was in the last weeks of her confinement and quite truthfully nothing else would fit her huge belly. From where she sat she could hear the sounds of murmuring coming from just beyond the landing as the servants began to gather, gradually filling up the hallway below. She was angry and yet she was determined to get her point across.

“Everyone is here, my Lady.” Veronique gave a curt nod and with Claude’s aid, she stood, leaning heavily on his arm for a moment before turning loose to walk unaided. Almost regally she stepped in view of the gathered and crossed to the top of the stairs to look down on the staff. Indoor and outdoor, upstairs and downstairs. Everyone was gathered and all conversation ceased as Veronique stepped up to the railing, lightly resting her hand upon it. Her belly seemed swollen beyond what would be comfortable, and yet she somehow stood there looking cool and unflappable.

“I wish to address and lay to rest any of the vile and vicious rumors that I have heard as of late.” Her voice was clear and only those that knew her well, such as Anna and Claude, could hear the displeasure in her tone.

“My husband, your employer, Count Alexander Vernay is alive and well. I have not killed him and had him buried in the pig sty, he has not run off to the West Indies to run a sugarcane plantation, nor has he been brought up before the Old Bailey for nonpayment of outstanding debts. He is not running around with some strumpet from the White Horse Tavern named Lazy Sally, nor has he just recently held up the stage of 40 guineas and a solid gold pocket watch.” She noted various people blushing as she repeated the gossip that she had overheard them repeat. “He is currently away taking care of family business. Yes I miss him. I miss terribly. But he, just like all of us, has his duties. He did not clear it with you because, quite frankly, it is none of your business. And I can assure you that I do not appreciate any of the innuendoes and rumors that you have helped to spread. They are all untrue, and all they do is hurt me and spread lies. And they prove your ignorance of the truth.”

At least some people had the decency to look ashamed at what they had done.

“From this point forward, any person or persons overheard repeating any such stories shall be instantly dismissed, no matter how long you have worked here. And do not think that when the Count returns home that he will take pity upon you and return you to your job for he would be appalled as I at how some of you have behaved. He has trusted you to do your job in his absence. This is your one and only warning. Should anyone from the outside ask you, you will tell them exactly what I have told you. He is away taking care of family business and will return as soon as possible. Is that clear?” She paused as if waiting for an answer. When she heard none, she repeated her question, her right eyebrow raised to emphasize the question. “Is that clear?”

”Yes m’lady! Yes, your Ladyship! Yes Ma’am! Yes!” Some of the men bowed their acknowledgment and some of the ladies curtsied, but everyone seemed to understand just what she meant.

“Thank you. You are now dismissed.”

Veronique turned and walked back out of sight to Claude, leaning heavily on his arm as he and Anna helped her back to her room.

“Well spoken, m’lady. Tha Count wood be proud uv yew!”

Claude grinned and tugged his forelock before leaving Anna to get the woman to bed. The maid soon had Veronique laying on her side under the covers snoring gently and dreaming of Alexander.

 

[cumnchat]

As they hurried and stumbled through the long grass and grasping gorse they could hear the angry shouts behind them,

"Il est parti, ce maudit PIMPERNEL l'a, il faut le trouver et ses complices sinon ce seront nos têtes que prétendra Madame Guillotine."

*****

"He's gone, that accursed PIMPERNEL has him, we must find him and his accomplices or else it will be our heads that Madame Guillotine claims."

Percy laughed "They are certainly right about that, Robespierre and company won't take at all kindly to losing the one man who knows where the wealth of France is hidden."

Pierre Lamont spoke for the first time,

"Merci Messieurs, je m'étais résignée à être torturée puis à plier le genou au pied de Madame Guillotine. Est-ce vrai que ce qu'ils ont dit, c'est que vous êtes vraiment le Pimpernel écarlate? "

******

"Thank you Sirs, I had resigned myself to being tortured and then bending my knee at the foot of Madame Guillotine. Is it true what they said, you are truly the Scarlet Pimpernel?"

"Yes we belong to the group that has the Scarlet Pimpernel as its leader, but save your breath we have a ways to go before we can feel safe."

Percy did not confirm or deny that one of them was the Pimpernel as if they were caught or if Pierre was caught he would be able to identify which of them was the Pimpernel and even if they made it back to England the French spies would soon identify him.

The terrain was rough and it soon became plain that Pierre was slowing them down unused as he was to physical exercise so Percy seeing that Pierre was small and only of slight build bade him climb on Percy's back and he would carry him. Their pace increased considerably and in just three hours they were atop the cliffs of the cove where they were to meet DAYDREAM in two days time.

 

[Opensesame54321]

Veronique realized that it was important that she appear as if everything was normal. The way that she was behaving before could possibly put Alexander and the entire crew as well as the mission in danger. It was time that she was acting as Buttercup instead of weak Veronique.

Meanwhile, her speech seemed to have done the trick. The servants felt more at ease with the old Veronique at the helm again. Even though in reality Claude and Anna were running the estate per Alexander’s instructions, even they could see the benefits of making it appear that the orders were coming straight from the Countess’s lips.

The rest of the staff took to heart their Mistress’s words. Therefore, the next day when Polly, the cooks chief assistant, headed into the village to pick up some flour and other supplies that the estate could not supply itself at the moment, the young girl had a chance to right some gossip that she overheard. Knowing that Polly worked for the Count, two other maids from a neighboring estate saw her and giggled, whispering amongst themselves before they began speaking loud enough to be heard.

”Oi ‘ears that ‘e wuz seen traipsing’ up an’ down tha West End wif a tart on each arm and tha smell uv drink ‘round ‘em like a cloud.”

“That’s not wat Oi ‘ears. Oi ‘ears ‘e went mad. Says ‘e went stark ravin’ mad. Oi ‘ears that they cought ‘im standin’ in a field uv cows mooing’ an’ wif nuthin’ on but a blew ribbon ‘round ‘is privates.”

Polly just stood there shaking her head at the absurdity of it all. Before, she might have believe some of what they said. Now, she could see the craziness of it all. The women noted that Polly shook her head and stepped closer, hoping to hear a bit of juicy gossip to spread.

“Wat’s tha matter, Polly? Ain’t we got it right? “

Polly began to laugh. When finally she could speak, she looked the two women in the eyes.

“Yew are not even close. Next yew’ll say ‘e frew to tha moon an’ ‘e waves to ya every night.”

The two women looked outraged. “Then w’ere is ‘e, wif tha Countess so close to ‘er time?”

“Actually it is none uv yer business. But if yew must no, ‘e is away on family business.”

“W’at family business?”

“Is that any concern uv yers?” She paused looking down her nose at the two young maids. The two women gasped and looked outraged. “Oi thought not. But w’en tha Count returns, Oi be sure ya let ‘im know jest w’at kind uv rumors yew wuz spreadin’. Bein’ as ‘ow gud a friends ‘e and yer Master is an’ all...” Polly let the implications hang in the air like a knife before she finished.

“Gud day.” She smiled, picked up her basket of supplies and headed back to the trap and the young lad that was driving it. He helped her up into it and as Polly settled in the seat beside him, she smiled.

“ Let’s ‘ead ‘ome now, Peter.” The twelve year old lad nodded and started up the horses as the two headed back to the estate.

 

[cumnchat]

The next two days were full of tension as they hid among the rocks that littered the sea shore and as twilight descended on the second day there was still no sign of Daydream as Percy had promised. They had taken to using their code names so that Monsieur Lamont had no idea of the true identities of his rescuers.

"Where the devil is the damned Daydream, Pimpernel?" asked Alexander in frustration at being so close to relative safety but caught like rats in a trap if they were discovered.

"Patience Thistle, patience, she is out there just over the horizon I'll wager, she cannot come in until it is completely dark and only then will the skipper make his presence known with a light, two flashes, five seconds and then two more, so keep your eyes peeled, we cannot miss the signal, if we do not reply they will leave and not return for another week." Percy replied somewhat languidly, his voice full of confidence in the skipper of Daydream.

Percy lit a lamp that he had secreted among the rocks when they had first come ashore but then covered it so no light was showing.

Sage broke in excitedly, "I see it, I see it, two flashes you said, then two more."

They looked out to sea, straining their eyes in the inky blackness. Silently the moon peered out through a cloud and in the gloom they could make out the outline of Daydream. Percy quickly returned the signal with their lamp and then turned to the other three,

"See, did I not say that all would be well? They will be sending a boat for us in just a few minutes and we will be on our way home."

They quickly made their way down to the seashore and watched as a row boat appeared out of the gloom and wasted no time wading out to meet it and began climbing aboard when a volley of musket shots rang out and Sage gave a strangled cry as he was hit in the shoulder and almost collapsed in among the breakers. Percy and Alexander reacted quickly and seized Sage by the collar of his coat and dragged him into the boat. Another volley of musket fire rang out but fortunately missed everyone.

"ROW, ROW LIKE THE DEVIL!" Shouted Percy and soon they were out of range and being helped on board the Daydream. Sage was immediately taken below to have his wound treated.

Percy, Alexander and the skipper held a quick meeting and decided that the peasants had waited for the signal from Daydream before acting in the hope of capturing all of them which would have been a feather in the cap of their commander but now he would undoubtedly meet Madame Guillotine.

As they sailed towards England Alexander had time to think about Veronique and their (hopefully) unborn child. He had an uneasy feeling that all was not well at home and in frustration he snapped at the skipper,

"Can't you make this old tub go any faster? I need to get home as quickly as possible."

"T'only way we can go any faster is if thee gets out and pushes." replied the skipper tartly, clearly offended that his craft was being called an old tub.

Suitably chastised, Alexander apologised and stood forrard of the wheel house seeking his first sight of the white cliffs of Dover.

Several hours later just as dawn was breaking they sailed into Dover harbour, as soon as they were alongside the jetty Alexander took his leave of his three companions citing his need to get home the reason for leaving so abruptly. He hired the best horse he could find and set off at a breakneck speed towards home, several arduous hours of hard riding ahead of him.

 

[Opensesame54321]

For the next couple of days Veronique worked hard to be strong and upbeat. Frequently her thoughts would turn to Alexander, sending him her thoughts and prayers. Occasionally she would get a couple of twinges of pain, and at first she worried. But she remembered that several of the woman that had several children already had told her that before they went into labor, they had had these occasional twinges that one of the women had called False Labor. She had not wanted to appear scared and so she kept the twinges to herself.

It was past her bedtime and she stood by the window looking out towards the horizon as if perhaps through the darkness she would be able to see Alexander coming home. She was trying to be quiet to avoid waking Anna asleep in the next room. The pains in her abdomen had been stronger and she wondered if her time was near.

In the back of her mind was the memory of Bella and the way that she had died. She so wished that Alexander was back home, being there to calm her and be her strength.

Suddenly there was a rush and she felt what she thought was piss running down her legs. It took a second for her to remember what had happened to Bella before she realized that her water had broke.

Clutching the back of the chair beside the window, she tried to keep the panic out of her voice as she called out to Anna.

“Anna! Anna! Come here! Quick!”

She heard the rustle as Anna got up and came through the half open door.

“I think that my water just broke.”

In no time the maid had helped her into a birthing gown and got her back into bed after spreading out plenty of sheets and covering to protect the mattress. Ringing the bell 3 times quickly told the downstairs staff that it was time and before long the entire household was awake and ready to do what was needed.

One of the groomsmen jumped on the back of a horse and rode like the wind to bring Doctor Fredrick. The Doctor had been expecting the call any day and with the moon full, when the pounding on his door woke him it took no time to get dressed and head back in his trap following the groomsman from Vernay Manor.

Veronique lay in bed, another round of labor pains grabbing her. Anna held her hand and Veronique squeezed her hand tightly as the women around her gave her instructions as best as they could to calm her until the Doctor could arrive.

“I so wanted Alexander her to see the birth of his child,” she cried as one of the women blotted the sweat from her face.

“Child, he will be home soon. Besides, he would not be allowed in here while you are giving birth.”

Several of the women laughed but Veronique was adamant.

“Alexander wouldn’t let that stop him. He would be in here holding my hand!”

“I should have known that you wouldn’t let a little thing like the middle of the night to stop you from making trouble.” Doctor Fredrick entered the room carrying his bag and grinning at her.

She smiled up at him and told him, “I try...” before another round of pains grabbed her and she once again worked her way through it.

And with that, the entire household settled down to await the birth the the baby, with bets going around as to whether she would have a girl or a boy.

By morning, the Countess still had not given birth and the whole manor sat around waiting for the news. There was more than one person that worried though, remembering that last time that a baby had been born at the manor.

 

[cumnchat]

Being the expert horseman that he was Alexander got the very best out of his steed, riding it hard for an hour then slackening the pace to allow the beast to recover then riding it hard again. The miles rolled behind him but his fear for Veronique occupied his mind. What had caused this sudden anxiety he didn't know but he felt that Veronique needed him more than she had ever needed him before and he wasn't about to let her down.

The dawn light had gone and the sun was higher in the blue cloudless sky as he rode along the roads thronged with people on their way to market or to work, he had to slow his pace as he wound his way through calling out for people to clear the way.

The sun was almost at its zenith when he crested a rise and saw the tall chimneys of the mansion above the trees no more than half a mile distant. He spurred the tired horse on and arrived in the courtyard within a few minutes. Panic almost struck him when he saw Doctor Fredrick's pony and trap.

"Take care of my steed and tell me where is Lady Vernay?"

"Yessir, Lady Vernay is with the doctor in the birthing room but she ain't 'ad it yet."

The elderly stablehand informed him.

Alexander slid from his steed and ran into the house and took the stairs two at a time, bursting into the birthing room only to see Veronique laying there looking pale and wan with a sheet covering her lower half.

"Veronique my love, 'tis me, Alexander, tell the little one to wait a little longer while I get my breath back." He then bent over to kiss his wife so lovingly and tenderly.

 

[Opensesame54321]

The night passed into morning though that fact barely registered with Veronique. The room seemed filled with the wrong people, for all that she really wanted was Alexander by her side as she gave birth to their child.

After a particularly rough night, a maid wiped her brow as she looked up into the eyes of Doctor Fredrick. She totally trusted the man but still the vision of Bella dying as she held her newborn babe haunted her. And Doctor Fredrick seemed to understand this and smiled at her as he laid a hand on her belly feeling the baby within.

“You are doing just fine, my dear. Everything is going just fine and you shall soon be cooing to your baby.”

She nodded and grit her teeth, gripping Anna’s hand as if to break it. Yet the maid did not cry out but merely hung on, trying to calm and reassure Veronique.

“I so wish that Alexander had made it back in time. He shall be quite put out to have missed all the fun.” The pregnant woman grimaced, giving a half smile before another round of pain gripped her and she gave a choked cry while the doctor checked the progress of the baby. Giving a nod, he let the sheet cover her back up and explained to her.

“It looks as if it is about time.”

She nodded, already exhausted.

“Now, when I ...”

Suddenly a commotion outside the door stopped him and all turned to see the door to the hall thrown open by a very welcoming sight. Alexander, his hair wild and his clothes disarrayed and smelling heavily of sea spray, sweat and horses burst into the room. All around him various women tried to usher him from the room but her merely ignored them and announced, Veronique my love, 'tis me, Alexander, tell the little one to wait a little longer while I get my breath back.

Anna gratefully stood up and moved out of the way to give Alexander the chance take his wife’s outstretched hand, bending over to give her the sweetest kiss she had ever had.

Meanwhile, some of the women aiding the Doctor still tried to get him to leave but Doctor Fredrick shushed the women.

“Let the man stay. He had a hand in the making of this little one, he might as well get to see what his wife has to go through to give him his child.” The Doctor gave a wink to Veronique. “But Alexander, for heaven sakes, do use that wash bowl over there and clean off some of the road dust and horse smell. We want the baby to want to be born.”

While Anna helped Alexander to remove his jacket and roll his sleeves of his shirt up so he could hurriedly wash his face, arms and hands, Doctor Fredrick continued his explanation to Veronique.

“Now, Veronique, when I tell you to, you will need to push and push hard.” As he continued his instruction, Alexander -a bit cleaner now and in just his shirtsleeves while his dusty jacket was taken away by a servant to be dusted off - took his place once more beside the birthing bed. Veronique took hold of his hand, gripping it as if planning to never let go.

“I knew that you would be here when I needed you!” She looked at him and gave a weak smile.

The door opened as a maid took the wash basin away to dump the water and get fresh. As the door closed, those waiting outside in the hall were treated to the cry as Veronique began to push.

 

[cumnchat]

Alexander was all smiles as he kissed Veronique, it had been so long since he had tasted her sweet lips AND he wasin time to witness the birth of his child. This time yesterday he had doubted whether he would ever see Veronique again but now here he was cradling her in his arms. Doctor Fredrick woke him from his reverie.

'But Alexander, for heaven sakes, do use that wash bowl over there and clean off some of the road dust and horse smell. We want the baby to want to be born.'

Alexander sniffed and found the smell overpowering as he had been too preoccupied with thoughts of Veronique to attend to even the most basic personal hygiene on the Daydream and had not bathed properly for over a week now.

He was loth to leave his wife's side for even a moment but he chuckled softly to Veronique,

"Excuse me for a few minutes while I clean myself of these foul odours, as the doctor says, we do not want our child to bolt back inside you because the smell is too bad, I will be just a few minutes, pray do not begin without me."

He removed his dusty coat and jacket and rolled up his sleeves and scrubbed his hands, arms and face with soap and water from the washbowl on the nightstand just a few feet away. With a cheeky smile on his face he picked up a bottle of Veronique's favourite perfume and dabbed inside his shirt under his armpits.

Returning to his wife's side she took his hand and clasped it tightly as if she would never let go.

"There my love I'm sure I smell as sweet as you now and those dandies that frequent the balls that we attend."

She looked up and smiled at him, her cheeks having more colour in them now,

'I knew that you would be here when I needed you!'

Then she jerked as if in pain and Doctor Fredrick looked under the sheet and exhorted Veronique to push,

"PUSH my dear PUSH!"

Her face screwed up and she gave the most heart rending cry as she pushed.

 

[Opensesame54321]

The pain seemed to be in cycles - intense moments followed by short periods where she could catch her breath while Alexander would kiss her and tell her that he loved her. She longed to ask him what had happened to delay his return but in the first place, exactly what had happened while he had been in France was a secret from these people.

In the second place, she was actually busy at the moment in labor. Alexander stroked her cheek before taking the cloth from the maid to wipe the sweat from her brow.

And then the next wave of cramps started and she could hear Doctor Fredrick and Alexander telling her to push. Alexander kept reminding her that he was here as she screamed and pushed again and again.

“Very good Veronique I can see the baby’s head. Just a couple more pushes and your baby will be here.”

She could see Alexander glancing down, as if anxious to see his child actually being born. She knew that he would have been deeply disappointed had he missed this but now, her world would be perfect with both of them here.

Pushing hard again, she gave a loud cry as the baby seemed to suddenly whoosh out and there was a flurry as the Doctor announced, “Count and Countess Vernay, you have a son!” He picked the small baby up by his feet and issued several little smacks to the baby’s bottom to be greeted with the cry from the little lungs as the cord was cut breaking the last tangible link between her and her son.

A son! Veronique watched as several of the women rushed the baby over to the fresh wash basin to clean the small thing. She felt relieved and Alexander looked over the moon.

“You now have your son, my Love.”

“Don’t get too comfortable, Veronique,” the Doctor warned her. “You have another baby coming!” He turned to one of the women. “Get some more clean water.”

And with those words she began pushing all over again.

 

[cumnchat]

Alexander did all he could to help Veronique as she screamed and pushed to give birth to their child, he held her hand, paying no mind to her nails as they dug into his hands, she was in pain for him so he would endure pain for her. Sweat began to form on her brow as she pushed and pushed, her face contorted in pain. He called for a cold compress with which to wipe her brow which Anna quickly handed to him.

"I'm here my love, 'twill soon be over." he crooned to her to keep her calm and reassured.

'Very good Veronique I can see the baby’s head. Just a couple more pushes and your baby will be here.' Doctor Fredrick encouraged her in his calm reassuring manner.

Alexander looked on anxiously as the head of the tiny miracle that he and Veronique had created began to emerge into the world. Veronique gave a loud cry as she pushed and suddenly the baby was dangling by its feet from Doctor Fredrick's hand and he gave the newborn several light smacks on its red wrinkled bottom and loud cries from it rang around the room.

'Count and Countess Vernay, you have a son!' He announced.

The cord between mother and child was cut and attended to efficiently and the women took charge to clean the baby boy as Alexander kissed his exhausted wife on the brow,

'You now have your son, my Love.' Veronique whispered to her proud husband.

The doctor interrupted them, smiling as he said,

'Don’t get too comfortable, Veronique, you have another baby coming! He turned to one of the women. 'Get some more clean water.'

Alexander gasped in surprise as Veronique did not seem surprised at all, it was almost as if she knew.

"I should have known, you were never one to do things by halves" He managed to jest, then Veronique began pushing again.

 

[Opensesame54321]

I should have known, you were never one to do things by halves

She didn’t have time to stop and consider the fact that she had suspected that perhaps she did carry more than one child. At times it certainly felt as if there were several babies fighting within her womb.

But all of this was merely a fleeting thought in the back of her mind as she pushed. Despite his joke, her husband seemed somewhat stunned by the announcement. Her body felt stretched beyond it limits and she was tired.

She paused to catch her breath and heard her son crying while Clair held him. She had just recently hired Clair Parker to be nanny. The thirty year old woman had seemed nice and caring, always smiling and claimed to have a love of children. Her references had been impeccable and she had hired her and moved her into the room next to the nursery.

Veronique so wanted her son in her arms but right now she had a more pressing job.

Another wave took hold and she pushed with all her might, feeling the head pop out. This all hurt like hell and she heard the Doctor’s words as Alexander encouraged her.

“Good! Good, Veronique. Just one more push and the baby should be free.”

When the next wave quickly followed she pushed and felt the baby slip free. Exhausted, she fell back among the pillows, the taste of sweat salty on her tongue as she licked her lips. A new cry filled the room - and she looked up to see the second baby being carried over to the basin to be cleaned.

“Well, congratulations. A second boy! I suspect that you two shall have your hand very full.”

Clair, carrying the first baby came over and, smiling, placed the baby boy in her arms. Veronique immediately checked him over and found that he appeared perfect with all his fingers and toes. He was red and wrinkly and shook his tiny fist in the air as if angry at being thrust into the cold cruel world.

“Hello little one. Welcome to life.” And she kissed his small thatch of reddish hair.

“Now we shall have to come up with two names,” she told Alexander.

Anna came with her other son, looking red and wrinkly like his brother though he was just a bit smaller. He too had red hair. He was placed in her other arm and she lay there with a newborn baby on each side. Kissing her second son, she told him, “and welcome to you too, my son.”

Looking up at Alexander, he looked proud enough to bust his buttons and she smiled at him as he kissed her.

“I know that you are dying to show them to the servants waiting outside so go show them and then bring them back so that I can feed them.” She watched as Clair helped to put a baby in each of his arms and opened the doors the hallway. The door closed behind them and she sighed and closed her eyes, thoroughly tired.

She had not had a chance to introduce him to the woman that she had hired as nanny for the baby...babies, she corrected herself mentally. But she would do so upon their return. She felt a cramping and worried that she was having another child. Glancing at Doctor Fredrick, he smiled at her as he pressed upon her abdomen.

“You did great, Veronique. Your mother would be very proud of you,” He smiled at her. As is reading her mind, he shook his head. “It’s not another baby. You’re just passing the afterbirth that kept the babies safe.”

‘Thank you, Bella, for watching over me and my babies.’ She said a brief prayer to her old school acquaintance and laid back, waiting for Alexander and the rest of her family - her twin sons - to return.

 

[cumnchat]

At the announcement that there was a second child on the way Alexander was stunned but still managed a weak joke, he puffed his chest out like the proud father he was but frowned a little when a strange woman he had never seen before took the child and cradled it as if it were her own, but Veronique did not seem to mind although she did have more pressing matters on her mind at the moment. She lay back on the bed and with her face contorted into a grimace she howled and pushed. Alexander held her hand just as he had before and heard Doctor Fredrick exhorting Veronique to push again,

'Good! Good, Veronique. Just one more push and the baby should be free.'

At the third or fourth push, Alexander had lost count, there was a triumphant cry from Doctor Fredrick, it seemed he was as excited as both of them,

'Well, congratulations. A second boy! I suspect that you two shall have your hand very full.'

The room was again filled with cries of a newborn baby and it was taken to the wash stand to be cleaned. Veronique looked washed out and she licked her dry lips. The new woman brought their first son and carefully placed him in Veronique's outstretched arms. The child appeared be angry at being passed from pillar to post and screwed his little face up and waved his little fist in the air. Alexander looked on in amusement and let Veronique have her moment of glory, her first real contact with her first son. Veronique counted his fingers and toes and kissed his little thatch of red hair then looking up at Alexander with a loving smile she whispered emotionally,

'Hello little one. Welcome to life. Now we shall have to come up with two names'

Veronique looked over to the other baby and Anna smiled and brought him over and carefully arranged the two newborns in her arms one cradled in each arm, then Veronique kissed her second and with great feeling she kissed him as well and said,

'And welcome to you too, my son.'


Alexander kissed all three of them and proudly he simply said,

"Thank you with all my heart my love."

'I know that you are dying to show them to the servants waiting outside so go show them and then bring them back so that I can feed them."

Alexander needed no further invitation so he spread his arms out as Anna placed each one in the crook of his arms and opened the door for him to step onto the landing with everyone of the household waiting below for their first sight of the new arrivals

"Thank you all for taking care so well of Lady Vernay while I was away, I was unfortunately delayed but by the grace of God I returned in time to witness the arrival of two bonny boys, we do not have names for them yet but we will inform as soon as that has been decided."

He asked that each one of the servants come and see the two babies as he did not trust himself to walk down the stairs carrying the two precious bundles. Every single one of the household came to see them even the men who were rather self conscious cooing over babies.

When the last one had left he took them back to Veronique who had in the meantime been attended to by Doctor Fredrick. Veronique took them eagerly and blushing in front of the maids in attendance and Doctor Fredrick she bared her milk filled breasts to each of the little ones who suckled happily and noisily on her engorged teats.

Alexander looked on proudly and rather enviously,

"Please my love, call me when 'tis my turn."

 

[Opensesame54321]

While the babies hungrily sucked away ay their Mama’s milk, Anna stepped outside to see about getting a second crib down from the attic. She had seen another one up there when they had been off in search for one, but as it was not as big or as fancy as the other one that they had pulled down, they had left it up there. She found Claude out in the hall and he assured her that as soon as he had heard that there were twins, he had sent two men up to being it down and right how it was being cleaned and temporary bedding put in for the babe to rest upon. According to him, the whole house was talking about how the Missus had twins, and both of them boys at that. Anna was sure that before tomorrow morn the whole county would be aware of the twins and gifts would start pouring in from the countryside. She was also sure that the fact that the Master had returned just in time to see his heirs born would be on the tongues of all and sundry. Some people just could not keep their noses out of other people’s lives.

That being taken care of, she went to prepare the Master bedroom and move herself back into her own bedroom. She was glad that the Master was back and that he seemed to have returned back no worse the wear, though he was in dire need of a bath and she alerted the boys to be ready to fill the tub at a moments notice.

The babies seemed to recognize their mother’s voice and while they drank their first meals of their new life, Veronique noted Alexander’s worried glance in the direction of the new nanny.

“Love, this is Clair Parker. I hired her as the nanny.” The faintly plump woman gave a curtsy to Alexander with a “your Lordship” before taking the older of the two babies from Veronique’s arms. Clucking like a mother hen, she left with the small bundle, with a cloud of noxious smells following behind them. “Oh, you’re gonna be a handful, aren’t you? Already making a big stink in the world.”

Doctor Fredrick could see that already the twin were turning life upside down here at the manor. Now that the births were over and the afterbirth passed and disposed of, he could see that the house was settling down to its new life.

“Count, I will take my leave now. If there should be any problems or questions, please reach out to me.”

He started to leave on his own but Alexander, dragged himself away from his new additions to escort him downstairs. Despite his protest, Alexander, ever the gracious host would hear none of it and escorted him to the door.

Momentarily left alone with her second born son, she carefully looked at the wee thing hungrily sucking at her breast. Blue eyes looked up at her as she spoke to him.

“You are just as important as your brother and I love you just as dearly as I do him!” Carefully she peeled back the small blanket he was wrapped in and carefully counted his fingers and toes. Everything appeared just fine. Something caught her attention. On his upper left thigh was what appeared to be a small birthmark - somewhat shaped like a very tiny eagle. She had not noticed anything like that on her other son. If that was the case, it would help to tell the boys apart once they were older. Right now, this child was smaller than his brother but over time he could catch up. Other than that, the babies had the same reddish hair and blue eyes.

Clair came in, all smiles and already cooing at the baby in Veronique’s arms.

“I bet you’re ready for a nappy and a chance to rest up after such an exciting morning.” Clair gave a laugh before looking at Veronique. “You too, your Ladyship.”

Veronique kissed the top of the baby’s head before handing him over to the nanny. Finally left alone in the birthing room, she closed her eyes and soon fell asleep. She would rather have slept in her own bed with Alexander but Doctor Fredrick said that it would be best alone and that tomorrow she could, with aid, walk back to her bedroom and sleep there.

She was sound asleep when Alexander checked back in on her.

 

[cumnchat]

Alexander longed to stay and watch as his wife fed the two additions to their family but Doctor Fredrick had given Veronique all the instructions were necessary and felt it was time to leave as he had other patients to see. Just prior to that Veronique had introduced him to the unknown woman,

'Love, this is Clair Parker. I hired her as the nanny.

He gave gave a curtsy to Alexander with a “your Lordship”

Before taking the older of the two babies from Veronique’s arms. Clucking like a mother hen, she left with the small bundle, with a cloud of noxious smells following behind them.

Oh, you’re gonna be a handful, aren’t you? Already making a big stink in the world.'

Alexander was relieved as he would not have that task to perform.

Turning to the doctor he insisted on escorting him to the door, ever the gracious host,

"Doctor Fredrick, I would like to thank you for the care and diligence with which you have looked after my dear wife especially the last few days when I was unavoidably detained on business, so thank you again with all my heart."

Having said his thanks he watched as the pony and trap drove away and then asked one of the manservants if his bath was ready, upon being assured that it was he went upstairs and stripped before lowering himself gratefully into the comforting water. He had not realised just how exhausted he was and actually dozed off before waking with a start thinking he was back in the cave.

"Get a grip on yourself Alexander." he scolded himself, "You have others to think about now."

It was at that moment he decided that he would no longer risk his life in France. When he had dried and dressed himself he looked in on Veronique and found her fast asleep.

"That's a good girl my love, rest while you can for I can see us soon running around after those two rascals." He murmured as he leaned over and kissed her cheek.

Making his way downstairs he came across Claude and two other servants manhandling a dusty crib from the attic.

"G'day Sir" said Claud touching his forelock, "We'll soon have this cleaned and looking smart for one o' t'babbies, fair took everyone by surprise."

"Good on you Claude, I must admit it never even crossed my mind about a crib for the second one, please call me when it is ready, the four of us will raise a glass to our new arrivals."

It was morning when Alexander woke alone in his bed and for a brief instant he wondered where Veronique could be then he remembered and quickly donned a housecoat and went to see her. To his surprise she was sitting up in bed feeding the twins,

"There you are m'dear am I to be relegated to an also ran when it comes to suckling your wonderful breasts?"

 

[Opensesame54321]

Periodically throughout the night, she would be awaken by the sound of a baby’s cry as a hand shook her.

“Your elder son is hungry, Countess.” Quickly rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she felt a heaviness in her breast as Clair slipped the tiny thing in her arm. Soon a hungry mouth was hungrily sucking at her teat.

“Such manners, my son,” She teased the baby as she felt the milk being drained from her breast. “Be sure to save some for your brother. You must not be greedy.”

“Oh, you’ll have plenty. You have been blessed - you are well endowed - plenty to feed both sons.” Clair paused for a moment. “I’m sorry for being so forward. But I have seen some Mothers that barely had any breast and they barely produced enough milk for one child, let alone twins. Oh, make sure that his nose is not pressed against you. The wee thing needs to breathe.”

She was thankful that she had hired the woman as she had been full of helpful tips to the new mother. As the baby drank, she rocked back and forth humming a little lullaby as the baby watched her. After a couple of minutes he slowed his sucking, his little blue eyes starting to look at her sleepily.

About then, Clair entered carrying her other son that was fussing and crying.

“He didn’t want to be left out.” Her second born was placed in her arms and Clair took her elder son away just as he let loose some foul wind. “How like a man,” She teased him as she carried the baby away to change his diaper and rock him to sleep.

Soon her second born was trying to drain her other breast as she held his little nose clear so it was not pressed against her skin. He really looked just like his brother, and she felt that they both favored Alexander, save that the one now in her arms was a little smaller than his brother.

By the time that Clair returned, the baby had finished and drifted off to sleep. Clair took him away and soon Veronique was sound asleep.

The sun was peeking through the curtains as Anna helped carry in one of the twins while Clair carried the other. She had learned from Clair to let the boys alternate which breast they drank from. The elder always drank more than the younger and seemed to always make a big stink immediately afterwards.

Suddenly the door opened and in strolled her husband, apparently very proud of himself.

“I suppose that you are proud of yourself. Your sons have kept us busy most of the night.” As son the elder noisily sucked, Alexander leaned over and kissed her, telling her in a low voice, There you are m'dear am I to be relegated to an also ran when it comes to suckling your wonderful breasts?

She raised an eyebrow and told him in an equally low voice, “You will be lucky if you manage to find me awake at all for the next couple of months. Thank God for Clair or I probably would have suffocated them.” She noted that the baby had quit drinking and told Alexander. “Here, you hold him and Clair can show you how to burp him while I feed his brother. And then we need to consider their names. I cannot continue thinking of them as the older and the younger.”

 

[cumnchat]

As he entered the bedroom he found Veronique sitting up in bed with one of his newborn sons sucking happily on her teat. A pang of jealousy swept through him as it had been so long since he'd also had the privilege to gorge on them. it had been some time since he had made love to Veronique and he was feeling the strain.

'There you are m'dear am I to be relegated to an also ran when it comes to suckling your wonderful breasts?

She raised an eyebrow and told him in an equally low voice, You will be lucky if you manage to find me awake at all for the next couple of months. Thank God for Clair or I probably would have suffocated them. Here, you hold him and Clair can show you how to burp him while I feed his brother. And then we need to consider their names. I cannot continue thinking of them as the older and the younger.'

He leaned over and kissed her which was the most he had been able to do since his return. Her kiss though was sweet and full of love so he was somewhat mollified. As he rose his son was thrust into his arms and all feelings of jealousy were swept away as he chucked the baby under the chin with his forefinger only to have a tiny hand reach out and grasp his finger,

"Did you see that? Egad, he recognises me, he knows I'm his Papa."

Alexander's paternal pride showed in his face as if he was saying 'I made you, well your Mama helped'

Clair was preparing to show him how to burp the little one and prevent having the contents of his recent meal spill all over him.

"One moment Clair, names for the boys must take precedence, I have thought long about suitable names and I propose ,,,,,,,,,,," He paused before uttering the two most outlandish names he could think of, "Algernon and Montmorency, Do they meet with your approval my love?"He was grinning like a Cheshire Cat, seeing the look of shocked disapproval on Veroniques face.

"No my love? You don't approve? In that case the final decision lies with you as it always does."

Veronique laughed as she realised she had taken Alexander's jest in all seriousness. When Clair was certain that Alexander had mastered the art of burping the baby she took him away and left them alone. Alexander sat on the bed and in all seriousness he asked,

"You mentioned earlier, two months, is that how long I,,,,,we must wait? Surely we can find some way to relieve the tension?"

He took Veronique's hand and placed it on his groin,

"Surely you can feel how I ache for you my love?"

 

[Opensesame54321]

She watched Alexander’s face as his child reached up to wrap his tiny fingers around his papa’s large forefinger, pride fairly bursting across his face.

Did you see that? Egad, he recognises me, he knows I'm his Papa.

Veronique had not the heart to tell him that the baby had done the same to Clair and Anna, and to his baby blanket. Let the man think that, at least for the time being.

However, before Clair could show him the correct and safe way to burp a baby, Alexander announced, One moment Clair, names for the boys must take precedence, I have thought long about suitable names and I propose ,,,,,,,,,,,Algernon and Montmorency, Do they meet with your approval my love?

For a moment she was shocked! Algernon and Montmorency? What? And then she realized that he was teasing her.

No my love? You don't approve? In that case the final decision lies with you as it always does.

She couldn’t help but laughter at him. This was so reminiscent of the man that she had married - “appearances are everything” man.

She fed her second born - would he be Algernon or Montmorency? - she watched as Alexander learned the ins and outs of burping a baby.

Clair took the baby from him and Anna took the one that Veronique had been breastfeeding, leaving just Veronique alone with Alexander. He sat on the bed facing her and spoke earnestly.

You mentioned earlier, two months, is that how long I,,,,,we must wait? Surely we can find some way to relieve the tension?

As if she had no idea what he was speaking of, he placed her hand on his groin where she could swear the bulge was throbbing with need.

Surely you can feel how I ache for you my love?

Just then, Anna gave a quick knock and entered to Veronique’s “Yes?”

“My Lady, Clair was wondering if...uh...”. The maid trailed off as she noticed exactly where Veronique’s hand was. “I am sorry, My Lady.” She looked flustered but Veronique kept her cool.

“Anna, will you make sure that we are not disturbed?” Anna nodded and closed the door behind her leaving the two of them alone. Veronique could see the eager look of hopefulness on his face.

She gave him a benign smile and gently patted his growing bulge as if it were a small child before she removed her hand. Alexander looked confused.

“I think that we need to have a little talk first.” Her voice slowly changed from bemused to adamant. “I have just managed to give birth to twins, sons I might add. I have just spent a little over a day straining and pushing what felt like 2 donkey carts out of my body. I am now a milk factory and have been feeding our sons all night. At the moment, sexual desire is the last thing on my mind. It will probably take that long for my pussy to get back down to its normal size so that you don’t get lost down there.”

Alexander began to look uneasy as he could see that it was turning into anything but a seductive moment.

“Do you know the hell that you put me through? I had to be strong and pretend that this was all planned, but inside I was worried about you. I cried myself to sleep each night. I told everyone that you were away on unavoidable family business as I ignored all the gossip and rumors that made their way back to me. Even your servants were standing up for you.”

Tears tried to well up in her eyes, but she ignored them and continued.

“Damn it, love, what happened to you? I was afraid that I had lost you forever. I was afraid that I would have to explain to your child why he or she did not have a father.”

She pushed her anger and fear aside and looked at him with love.

“So, what happened?”

 

[cumnchat]

Alexander sat on the bed with Veronique;s delicate hand on his throbbing pulsing groin, certain that she would give him some sort of release and he felt that she would have had Anna not interrupted them even though she retreated hastily at Veronique's words. Her hand was still touching the bulge in his breeches and his hopes rose again as she patted it but then she removed her hand, Alexander was confused, surely she had missed him as much as he had missed her and would be eager to play with him just a little?

'“I think that we need to have a little talk first. I have just managed to give birth to twins, sons I might add. I have just spent a little over a day straining and pushing what felt like 2 donkey carts out of my body. I am now a milk factory and have been feeding our sons all night. At the moment, sexual desire is the last thing on my mind. It will probably take that long for my pussy to get back down to its normal size so that you don’t get lost down there.'

Veronique's tone wasn't angry at all but it was clear to him that he had been too hasty in his assessment of what was acceptable at this moment in time. Veronique went on telling him how the past ten days had been for her,

'Do you know the hell that you put me through? I had to be strong and pretend that this was all planned, but inside I was worried about you. I cried myself to sleep each night. I told everyone that you were away on unavoidable family business as I ignored all the gossip and rumors that made their way back to me. Even your servants were standing up for you. Damn it, love, what happened to you? I was afraid that I had lost you forever. I was afraid that I would have to explain to your child why he or she did not have a father.'

He felt crushed, he had been an insensitive ass, thinking only of his own immediate pleasure, he had not even offered an explanation as to why he was gone so long.

Alexander hung his head and muttered contritely,

"I am so sorry my sweet, I had no inkling of what was happening here, please forgive me."

'So, what happened?'

The question was inevitable and could not be avoided so he began,

"First, let me say that you were in my thoughts every single day, wondering if I would ever hold you in my arms and kiss you again. If I could have sent you word I would have." He could see that Veronique was fighting back the tears as he recounted all that had happened in France. He left nothing out, not even the time when he almost drowned, he gave a wry smile when he told her about crawling through the pig pen and sniffed theatrically,

"I can still smell those pigs now, those Frenchies must like smelly bacon."

He told her everything except how scared he was of being caught and facing the guillotine.

"So there you have it my dear, now if you will excuse me I must go and bathe, those damned pigs must smell awful to your delicate, pretty nose."

He planted a kiss on the end of her nose and got up to leave, at the door he turned and looked wistfully at her,

"Perhaps you will feel more playful soon."

 

[Opensesame54321]

As he recounted the hell that he had been through while over in France, she could not hold back the tears that welled up in her eyes. She knew that it must have been bad to keep both him and Percy away.

But then he stood up and gave a sad little dramatic sniff as if he could still smell those pigs.

So there you have it my dear, now if you will excuse me I must go and bathe, those damned pigs must smell awful to your delicate, pretty nose.

His kiss on her nose was perfunctory as was his sad little cross to the door, turning to look at her as if she had cruelly thrown him out.

Perhaps you will feel more playful soon.

“You open that door, Alexander, and you will regret it.” He paused, his back to her and hand still on the knob. “I have not waited for these past ten days for you to return only to have you run out on me because I would not play with your manhood and give you some release. Damn it, Love, look at me!”

She wasn’t as mad as she was hurt. He slowly turned to look at her. All she could do at this distance was implore him with her eyes to come to her. She held our a hand, hoping that he would take it.

“Alexander, love, I don’t exactly smell like a bed of roses. I smell like milk and afterbirth and sweat and baby. So we make a pair. I can’t help it that I don’t feel amorous right now but I still love you and want to be held in your arms. That is, if you still love me. For ten days I worried that they might have caught you and would they...” She started crying as she spoke, the words almost getting getting lost in the tears. “...they...let me kn...know if th...they be...be...beheaded youuuuuu.” By the time that she reached the word ‘you’, it was an out and out wail, the tears flowing and her face scrunched up in pure agony as her shoulders shook. All she could do was cry.

Suddenly his arms were around her as he held her for the first time in over ten days. And all she could do was cry. She wanted to take a bath, but she couldn’t for a couple of days yet. She wanted to leave this birthing room and get back to her own bedroom. She wanted to change clothes. And she just wanted to be held in Alexander’s arms, to rest her head against his chest and hear his heart beating in her ear. She didn’t feel like making love or even giving him some sort of sexual release. She just wanted her husband holding her.

But she was crying too hard to say any of these things.