Part 25 (2/2)

Forty-two.

Daphne gave birth to a baby girl in the South Wing of Cavendon Hall on Thursday, January 29, 1914, at three o'clock in the afternoon.

The baby had a small pouff of blond hair on top of her shapely little head, and she was healthy and perfect in every way, very much to the relief of the mother.

Daphne had been in labor for ten hours, and her silent but constant prayer had been for the safe delivery of a baby without any deformities or the slightest blemish. And her prayers had been answered.

Now, two days later, on Sat.u.r.day afternoon, Daphne was seated on the sofa in the pale green sitting room of the South Wing, holding the baby in her arms.

She couldn't stop looking at the little girl, constantly moving the lacy cashmere shawl slightly in order to study her small, delicate face, her tiny hands with those perfect minuscule nails. What a miracle the child was. Daphne overflowed with enormous love for this tiny creature who was hers.

As she had recognized months ago, she would have never been able to give her away for adoption. This precious little bundle, all silky and pink, was part of her and always would be. There was an unbreakable bond between them that would last forever.

Daphne was relieved she was a married woman with a wonderful husband who had claimed the baby as his own. Because of Hugo, the baby would be forever safe as his child, under his protection and bearing his name.

The story given out was that the baby was premature, and everyone accepted this, whatever they actually believed. And Daphne and Hugo kept a cool front, turned a blind eye to any hint of gossip, and just kept on smiling serenely. As they were doing this afternoon.

Hugo was sitting next to Daphne on the sofa, being charming to everyone, but occasionally giving his total attention to his child. He kept peering at her sweet face, love reflected in his eyes, and in his demeanor in general.

Felicity was sitting in a chair next to Daphne, accompanied by Olive Wilson. The countess had been suffering from exhaustion, and was only now more like her old self. The arrival of the baby had brought smiles to her pale face, and a new lightness of spirit was evident in her.

The Earl of Mowbray, the baby's grandfather, was equally as happy as his wife, genial and outgoing today. Like Hugo, he kept glancing at the child in his daughter's arms. He was fascinated by the new arrival, his first grandchild, who was the start of a new generation of Inghams.

”You look positively radiant, Daphne,” Charles remarked at one moment. ”You did have a bit of a rough time, I realize that. But you came through so well. I'm proud of you.”

”And so am I,” Hugo interjected. ”You're a real trouper, darling.” Glancing at his watch, he added, ”I wonder what's happened to everyone? They were invited to come at three o'clock to see the baby, before afternoon tea is served.”

The words had hardly left his mouth when Hanson appeared in the doorway, and announced, ”Lady Gwendolyn has just arrived, m'lord, and so has Miss Charlotte.”

”Thank you, Hanson. Do show them in, would you please.”

”I will, Lord Mowbray. The footmen are helping them with their outerwear. I'm afraid it's started to snow again, m'lord.”

Charles nodded, glanced out of the window, and saw that the snow was indeed falling, and somewhat heavily.

Charles and Hugo immediately stood up when Lady Gwendolyn came sweeping in, looking her usual elegant self. This afternoon she wore a gray wool suit and a blue silk blouse.

After greeting her, Daphne couldn't help chuckling. ”I love the blue blouse, Great-Aunt Gwendolyn.”

Lady Gwendolyn, acerbic and outspoken, also had a great sense of humor, and had the good grace to laugh when she said, ”I chose it in order to reflect the baby's eyes, don't you know? And I do want her to feel at home, since you all wear blue most of the time.”

”Oh, she does feel that, Aunt Gwen,” Hugo exclaimed. ”In fact, she really is at home here in the South Wing. The other day Charles offered us the South Wing as a place to live, and we've happily accepted. We shall reside here permanently. I'll not be buying Whernside House.”

”You've made a wise decision, Hugo, and I like the idea of the three of you being here under one roof at Cavendon. And in walking distance for me.”

As she was speaking, Lady Gwendolyn had glided across the room and she was already peeping at the baby in Daphne's arms. ”An Ingham through and through,” she announced. ”I can tell from her thin wrists and delicate hands. They're aristocratic.”

”And so are her ankles,” Felicity interjected. ”Slender and neat.”

Charlotte came into the room, greeting everyone, then adding, ”The weather is bad. I think we might be in for a snowstorm.”

”Perhaps,” Charles said. ”But don't worry, Charlotte, Gregg can drive Aunt Gwendolyn and you back to the village later.”

”Thank you, that's very kind,” Charlotte replied, and went to join Daphne on the sofa.

”Isn't she sweet,” Daphne said, smiling at Charlotte, and moving the shawl. ”Look, her mouth is like a little rosebud.”

Charlotte could only nod, suddenly choked with emotion. The baby was beautiful, and she was safe, as was Daphne herself. How different things might have been if not for Hugo. Thank G.o.d he had decided to come to Cavendon at exactly the right time. What is meant to be is meant to be, she added to herself, believing this.

Charles helped his aunt to sit down in a chair next to him, and then he swung around as Hanson appeared once again, announcing the arrival of Mrs. Alice, Cecily, and the earl's three other daughters, Diedre, DeLacy, and Dulcie.

Of course it was Dulcie who came bouncing into the room, as usual in a hurry to be the first, although she was obviously trying to be a bit more restrained than she normally was.

When she came to a stop in front of Daphne, she said, ”I want this baby, Daphers. Will you give her to me? Please.” She offered her favorite sister her biggest smile.

”I'm afraid I can't, Dulcie dear. However, you can be her best friend. Yes, that's a good idea, I appoint you her best friend. That's a very special honor, and it means you can spend a lot of time with her.”

”Ooooh, thank you, Daphs. YOU'RE THE SWEETEST OF THE SISTERS.” She shouted these last few words in a loud voice, then reverting to her normal speech, she added, ”I'll look after her careful.”

”Carefully,” Daphne corrected, and smoothed her hand over Dulcie's blond curls lovingly. ”And when you're grown-up and married, you will be able to have a baby of your own, just like mine.”

”I'll marry Hugo.” Dulcie looked across at him and smiled.

He winked at her.

”That's not possible, darling, but I will find you a second Hugo, just for yourself,” Daphne promised.

”Oh thank you,” Dulcie responded, and leaning forward she looked at the child and asked, ”Why is her face all crumpled up like an old apple?”

”Because she's just two days old. Tomorrow she will be ... uncrumpled, you'll see,” Daphne murmured.

Dulcie said, ”I'll come and check.” She ran across to her father, and climbed up onto his knee, settled against his broad chest.

Daphne said, ”Come along, Mrs. Alice, and you too, Cecily, come and see the little one.”

They did as she asked, and admired the child, and exclaimed what a beautiful baby she was, and then DeLacy joined them. Immediately she cried, ”She's got a rosebud mouth. You should call her Rosebud, Daphers. Or Rose. Or Rosalie. Or Rosamund or Rosemarie.” DeLacy continued to laugh, as she added, ”There are so many rose names. But what are you going to call her?”

”I'm about to tell you,” Daphne replied.

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