The Dowry of Miss Lydia Clark Read Free Page B

aren’t late, are we?”
    “Not at all.” Julia motioned toward the kitchen with the folded towel in her hand. “Mrs. Paget sent some fig bread.”
    “Jonathan will be glad. Please thank her for us.”
    When she reached the bottom of the steps, Elizabeth gave her a quick embrace. It can’t be so! Julia thought as they drew apart, then reminded herself, You were eighteen when Philip was born . Noticing faint shadows under her stepdaughter’s eyes, she asked, “How are you feeling, Elizabeth?”
    The dimpled smile wavered. “I’m not quite sure, Julia. I’ve had spells of queasiness for the past few mornings. I haven’t mentioned it to Jonathan because he has so much on his mind with the archery tournament coming up. And just when I start thinking about seeing Doctor Rhodes, the nausea passes. I’ve barely slept the past two nights for worrying about it.”
    “Let me see.” Julia pressed a hand against the young woman’s forehead and cheek. “No fever.”
    “See? If it wasn’t for the morning spells, I would feel fine.”
    “Hmm. Why don’t we sit for a minute or two?”
    “Sit?” Elizabeth glanced at the long case walnut clock against the wall, a wedding gift from Andrew and Julia. “But it’s almost half past. You shouldn’t be late.”
    “Mrs. Bartley is very capable of beginning without me,” Julia said, gently taking her arm. “She’s the real leader of the society anyway.”
    When they had settled on the Chesterfield sofa, Elizabeth eyed her curiously. “Are you all right, Julia?”
    “Oh, I’m quite well, thank you.” But she was finding it most difficult to keep a serious expression upon her face. “Do you mind if I ask you some questions, Elizabeth?”
    “Questions? No, of course not.”
    Elizabeth’s subsequent replies, delivered with flushed cheeks, removed all doubt. And the joy of it made Julia seize her stepdaughter’s hand.
    “Silly me…I should have expected this!”
    “What is it, Julia?” Elizabeth asked with a worried crease between her brows.
    “You haven’t any idea?”
    After a puzzled silence, her mouth gaped slightly. “You mean the nausea is normal when…”
    “Not in every case, but more often than not.”
    “Oh, Julia!” Elizabeth exclaimed and caught her up into another embrace. “I can scarcely believe it! How wonderful!”
    When they drew apart, the sight of tears in her stepdaughter’s brown eyes made Julia’s water as well. She wiped them with a corner of the towel and offered the other end to Elizabeth as she prayed silently, Father, you’re so good! To be a wife and mother was what Elizabeth had wanted most for her life, and now both prayers would be answered.
    Words began tumbling from Elizabeth’s lips as she nervously tapped the fingertips of her hands together. “I’ll have to tell Mrs. Littlejohn and Hilda. I know they’ve heard me being sick and are probably worried. Oh, but Jonathan must hear it first! I wonder if I should meet him at school for lunch? But he has to watch the children, so it would be hard to get him away. Perhaps I should wait until he gets home. Anyway, I should think it would be hard for him to concentrate on teaching after hearing such news.”
    “And Papa…” she went on after pausing for a deep breath. “I would like him to hear the news from both Jonathan and me, so please don’t tell him.” She gave Julia an apologetic look. “It’s just that I’d like to see his face when he hears it. Do you understand?”
    “Of course,” Julia assured her.
    “Perhaps the two of you could come over this evening after I’ve told Jonathan? Oh…but what about the children? Should we tell them?”
    “Your father and I will come after supper. That way you’ll give your husband time to absorb the news. And as for your sisters and brother, it might be best to wait a bit, if Mrs. Littlejohn and Hilda will agree to keep it quiet.”
    “Thank you, Julia. I’m glad one of us has a clear head right now.” Elizabeth