Captive Bride

Chapter Twenty-four

A warm, fresh breeze brushed against Christina's face and played with her loose-fitting dress as she stood on deck holding onto the railing of the ship. She looked down at her protruding belly and smiled when she felt her baby's forceful kick. His kicking and thrashing had become noticeable during the last month, and Christina loved every minute of it.

She'd been standing on deck for over an hour now. Her feet hurt terribly, but she wasn't about to go back to her stuffy cabin—not with the shores of England before her.

The voyage had gone by so quickly and she had kept herself so busy that it seemed only yesterday that she'd said good-bye to John. She had cried a little and reminded him that in five months he, too, would be boarding a ship for home. She'd kissed and hugged Kareen, who had come with John to see her off.

"You take good care of yourself and the baby," Kareen had said, then she, too, had started crying.

And now it was a clear, beautiful early summer morning in England. The passengers all crowded against the rail, happy that their journey was finally over.

Christina patted her belly and whispered softly, so no one else would hear, "We'll be home soon, little Philip— very soon."

Christina had no trouble hiring a coach to take her to Wakefleld Manor. They traveled slowly, stopping at a cozy inn overnight to pamper Christina's condition. But she didn't mind. She watched the beautiful English landscape hungrily as they left London and drove toward Halstead.

It had been so long since she had seen such lush countryside. They passed majestic forests and open fields filled with wild flowers of every color. They passed farms surrounded by rich crops, and small, charming villages. This was rural England. How she loved itl

Late the next evening, the coach finally pulled to a halt before beautiful Wakefield Manor. Lighted sconces beside the large double doors cast welcoming light into the driveway. Christina threw open the door of the coach, not wanting to wait another second.

"Hold on there, madaml" the driver yelled, jumping down from his high seat He came to the door and helped Christina down. "You must think of the wee one."

"I'm sorry. It's been so long since I've been homel Besides, I'm quite used to getting down by myself."

"Maybe so, but—"

The big double doors swung open, and Dicky Johnson stepped outside.

"Who be you come to call this late at night?" he asked warily. Christina lifted her head to the light, and Dicky squinted his eyes disbelievingly. "Is that you, Miss Crissy? Is that really you?"

She laughed and embraced the small man.

"It's me, Dicky—home at last."

"Oh—it's so good to have you back, Miss Crissy. And Master John, has he come home, too?"

"No, he won't be coming home for a few months. But I wanted to come back early—to have my baby here."

"Baby! Aye, you did feel a bit heavy under that cape."

"Who is it, Dicky?" Johnsy called from the doorway.

"It's Miss Christina, She's come home sooner than expected. And all by herself, I might add," he said disapprovingly.

"My baby!" Johnsy cried. She ran down the steps and caught Christina in her arms. Then she stood back, surprise written on her face. "My baby's gonna 'ave a baby of 'er own. Oh, Lord, I've waited for this day. But why didn't you write to your old nanny and let 'er know?"

"And would you have been able to read my letter?" Christina teased.

"No, but I would 'ave found someone who could. Now you come inside, love. You've got some explainin' to do, and you can do it over a nice cup of tea," Johnsy said, then looked to Dicky over her shoulder. "You bring Miss Christina's baggage in an' give that driver something to eat before 'e goes on 'is way."

Inside the brightly lit hallway, Christina was swamped with glad greetings from the rest of the household servants. Johnsy soon sent them scurrying with a host of orders to bring tea, prepare food, heat bath water, and unpack baggage.

Christina stood back and laughed. "You haven't changed a bit, Johnsy. Perhaps a few more gray hairs, but otherwise the same."

"Aye—it's 'cause of you I've added gray 'airs—what with you galivantin' off to that 'eathen land with your brother. I was fit to be tied when Master John sent word to 'ave the rest of your things shipped over there. An' then I don't 'ear a word from either of you. It's been nigh over a year," Johnsy complained.

"I'm sorry I didn't write, Johnsy. But you'll understand why after I explain things to you."

"Well, I 'ope you've good reason for worryin' your old nanny. But look at me makin' you stand 'ere in the 'all— an' you in your condition. You come in 'ere an' sit yourself down," Johnsy said gruffly, leading her into the drawing room.

After she took her cape and bonnet, Johnsy's wide brown eyes went straight to Christina's belly.

"What could 'ave possessed Master Johnny to let you travel by yourself? And where is your new 'usband— don't tell me 'e 'ad to stay in that 'eathen land, too?" Johnsy asked, sitting beside Christina on the gold-brocade couch.

Christina leaned back and sighed heavily. "John agreed that I should come home to have the baby. Otherwise, we would have had to stay in Egypt until the baby was old enough to travel. As for my husband—I don't have one. I was never—"

"Oh, my poor baby! Your child not even born yet, an* you're already a widow."

"No, Johnsy—you didn't let me finish. I don't have a husband because I was never married."

"Not married? Oh, Lord!" Johnsy started crying. "Oh, my baby! You've a bastard growin' in you—oh, *ow you must be sufferin'. 'Ow could Master John let this 'appen to you?" she wailed. "Oh—the blackguard who did this to you—may a thousand devils—"

"Nol" Christina screamed."Don't ever say anything against him—ever! I love the father of my baby, I always will. And I will raise and love my baby. I don't care that he'll be a bastard!"

"But Miss Crissy—I don't understand. Why didn't you many? Is the man dead?"

Christina knew it would be a long time before she could go to bed this night. She shifted her weight and then proceeded to tell Johnsy the whole story, including everything that she hadn't told John. She began with her first sight of Philip at the ball in London, and ended with her first awareness of the baby and her plans to come home.

Johnsy cried and held Christina in her arms.

"Oh, baby—you 'ave suffered so. If only I could 'ave been there to 'elp you through it. An' I still say that Philip Caxton is a blackguard—to turn you away like 'e did."

"No, Johnsy—Philip had his reasons. They were selfish ones, but I don't blame him anymore. I just hope he's happy with Nura, for I'm happy with my baby," Christina replied.

"Aye, 'appy you may be, but still sad for 'avin' loved a man an' then losin' 'im in such a short time. I'm sorry, love—truly I am. But now I must get you to bed. You're near to fallin' asleep where you sit. I should be ashamed of myself for keepin' you up till the wee ours of the mornin'. But you can sleep as late as you want tomorrow, love. I'll keep the servants away from your room."

Upstairs in Christina's room, Johnsy helped her out of her traveling dress and into a loose-fitting nightdress. The large tub of water sitting in front of the blue marble fireplace had turned cold a long time ago, but she was too tired for a bath, anyway.

Christina surveyed her old room while Johnsy put away the rest of her things. She loved this room and had chosen it for herself because she liked the dark blues that dominated its decor.

Oh, but it was good to be home again with the things and people she had grown up with and loved!

Christina got into bed and covered herself. She was already asleep when Johnsy kissed her on the forehead and quietly left the room.