Henry paced up and down the room, running one hand through his hair as he waited in a state of anxiety for the doctor to leave his wife’s room.

Jacintha had been pale and tired for weeks and, after some convincing, she had permitted him to send for the doctor. Terrified that she was ill, Henry tried not to allow his worry to cloud his mind, desperately waiting for the door to open so that he might be permitted.

After a few more minutes, the door opened and the doctor stepped out, a small smile on his face.

“Is she quite well?”

“Lots of rest,” the doctor replied, patting Henry on the shoulder. “She needs to eat well and sleep any time she is tired. Ginger should help the sickness.”

“Sickness?” Henry repeated, his eyes widening as he looked from the doctor into Jacintha’s room. “She has been sick?”

“It will pass,” the doctor replied, with a slight chuckle. “On you go then, Lord Musgrove. And do send for me again if it requires it.”

More confused than ever, Henry rushed into the room, forgetting to thank the doctor entirely, and made his way over to Jacintha’s side.

Much to his horror, there were tears trickling down her cheeks. “Oh, Jacintha,” he whispered, sinking down on to the edge of the bed and taking her hand. “Whatever is the matter?” He could not understand why his wife was crying and the doctor smiling. If she was ill, then why had the man appeared so happy?

“Oh, Henry,” Jacintha replied, her eyes turning towards him. “I cannot believe it.”

“What?” he breathed, his stomach dropping like a stone. “What did the doctor say?”

“I should have noticed it myself, but with all the renovations we have been undertaking, I quite lost track,” she continued, as though she had not heard him. “It should only be six months or so now.”

Henry shook his head. “Six months?” he repeated, frowning heavily. “Jacintha, will you please tell me what is the matter?”

Much to his astonishment, Jacintha laughed and sat up a little straighter, her eyes bright. “Oh, Henry,” she replied, softly, putting one gentle hand against his cheek. “Have you not worked it out yet? You are to be a father very soon.”

Time stopped. He could not breathe. Could not think. Could not even form any words to express what he felt.

She laughed again, leaning forward to hug him tightly for a moment. “You look quite astonished, my love.”

“With child?” Henry whispered, relief washing all through him. “You are with child? That is why you…”

“Why I have been so tired and weak, yes,” Jacintha answered, her eyes gentle. “I was so worried, Henry, but the doctor reassured me that it was all quite normal and nothing to be worried about.”

Henry felt like crying and laughing all at once, such was his astonishment and relief. He held Jacintha close for a long moment, letting out a few long, slow breaths in order to try and bring himself back to a place of composure.

“You are happy, are you not?” Jacintha asked, as he released her. “You are happy we are to have a child, yes?”

“Of course I am,” Henry reassured her, with a glad smile. “A little taken aback but truly, I am delighted.”

“I am very glad to hear it,” Jacintha replied, softly. “Just think, Henry, a baby of our own! And we only married a few months.”

Henry felt sheer joy bubble up in his chest, his eyes bright with happiness. “And here I was thinking that life could never get any happier than we are now,” he replied, leaning forward to press a gentle kiss to her cheek. “Do you think your sisters will be glad to hear of it?”

Jacintha laughed again, her smile warm. “They will be delighted. Of course, I shall have to have them visit for I do not know what this state is to be like! Nor do I know much at all about babies…” Her smile began to fade, a worried look appearing on her face.

Now it was Henry’s turn to laugh. “Do not worry, my love. You did not know anything about becoming a wife, but see how well you have mastered it? You shall be just as wonderful a mother as you are a wife, and I know that our child will be showered with love.”

Her anxiety faded at once. “Thank you, Henry. You always know how to put me at ease.”

“Although you will not be able to invite Harmonia,” Henry joked, with a slight shake of his head. “She is the only sister remaining to find a husband, and we cannot impede her search.”

Jacintha’s smile was warm as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. “You are quite right. Harmonia needs to find a man who loves her and not settle for practicality.”

Henry chuckled. “Just as you did?” he teased, only for her to cut off his words with a sound kiss.

“Yes, just as I did,” she whispered against his mouth. “Ever since that day in the gardens, all those years ago.”