Jane Feather - Charade by Unknown (howl and other poems .TXT) 📕

herself firmly on his lap and reached for a piece ofbread and butter from the table.

"It helps sometimes," she informedhim, taking a healthy bite. "A little plain food seems to soothe thestomach. I cannot imagine, though, how I ever cared for coffee." Sheglared at the silver pot on the sideboard with the utmost distaste.

"Stop playing games now, Danielle." Linton turned her face toward him."You have amused yourself at my expense quite sufficiently. When do youexpect the child?"

"In June." She kissed his nose. "I did not mean to tease you soabominably, Justin, but . . ."

"You couldn't help yourself," he finished for her with a chuckle. "Iwonder if you will ever be anything but an outrageous wretch, Danny."

"Do you wish me to be?" She scanned his face with a small frown.

"No." He shook his head. "And I can only hope that if you provide mewith a daughter she will take after her mother."

"And if it is a son, he must take after his father," she said softly,placing her mouth firmly on his.

"Oh, beg pardon." Julian burst into this scene of conjugal harmony."Didn't mean to be

de trop

."

"Oh, you are not, Jules," Danielle reassured, making no attempt to movefrom her husband's knee.

"You must break your fast. Iwas merely giving Justin one of his Christinas presents. I am withchild,

you should know."

"Sweet heaven," Julian muttered irreverently. "By Gad! I mean .. .well, my felicitations, Justin only . .. only do you think it is wise?Oh, that was not what I meant," he stammered, "but how is Danny to . .."  "In the usual way, Jules." She went into a peal of laughter."Oh,do not look so discommoded. Is it so very shocking?"

"No, of course it is not. It is only that I cannot imagine you as amother," he replied candidly. "But you cannot go around blurting thenews in that way, Danny." Julian helped himself to a dish of deviledkidneys. "If you are in a delicate situation you must be discreet. Mustshe not, Justin?"

"Oh, stuff," Danielle declared before her husband could respond to theappeal. "It is perfectly natural and quite to be expected . . . Oh,must you eat those, Jules? They make me want to p— To be sick," sheamended hastily as Justin squeezed her waist.

"But they are quite delicious," Julian protested in puzzlement. "I haveseen you eat them."

"That was before I became

enceinte

.I begin to wonder if I will everhave a taste for anything but bread and butter again.''

"My love, I do not think a description of your symptoms is going to aidJulian's digestion," Justin put in mildly.

"Good morning, and a merry Christmas to one and all." Sir AnthonyFanshawe, in the company of Viscount Westmore, entered the breakfastparlor wreathed in smiles. They appeared not at all embarrassed by theposition of their hosts and made directly for the chafing dishes on thesideboard.

"Jules has been saying that I may not tell people I am with child. Isthat not absurd?" Danielle demanded.

Sir Anthony dropped a heavy silver spoon into the dish of scrambledeggs, and Westmore lost interest in the kedgeree. "You are?" they saidwith one voice. They were quite accustomed to accompanying Danielle onher forays into the backslums of London, had become used to thesilver-mounted pistol and the terse instructions they received from abusinesslike young woman who bore little resemblance either

to the social butterfly or to the mischievous imp who delighted inshocking them. But this simple news defeated their powers ofimagination.

Justin was enormously amused as he read their minds and saw theirstartled recognition of the horrifying realms of discourtesy into whichtheir astonishment had betrayed them. He accepted their stammeredfelicitations with a slight smile, still maintaining his hold on hiswife, who showed no inclination to break

it anyway.

Lady Lavinia bustled in opportunely. "Danielle, where are your shoes,child?" She chose this dereliction above the greater one—that ofsitting upon her husband's knee in such a public fashion. But sincescolding her granddaughter for that indecorous behavior would alsoimplicate Justin, she found herself with little choice.

"Oh, my feet are quite warm,

Grandmaman

."Danielle smiled. "I have beentelling my news."

Lady Lavinia paled and sat down hastily, her eyes on Justin.

"Just so, ma'am," he soothed. "There is a movement to persuade Daniellethat she may not be so frank

in other company."

"I should think so, indeed. Whatever can you be thinking of, Danielle?This is information for your husband alone."

"Grandmere, it was a Christmas present and as such should be sharedwith one's friends." Danielle left her husband's knee and went to kissher grandmother. "We are amongst friends, are we not,

chere madame?"

"Oh dear." Lady Lavinia sighed helplessly and embraced hergranddaughter.

"Rest assured, ma'am, I shall be quiet as a church mouse on the subjectto anyone else. But now I must dress for I have to ride to Seven Acrefield this morning and pay a Christmas visit to the Ducloses."

"Danielle, you cannot ride in your condition," her grandmotherexpostulated.

"Now that, if you will pardon my saying so, ma'am, is a great piece ofnonsense," Danielle declared firmly. "I will not be mollycoddled andhave no intention of spending the next six months lying on the

sofawith my smelling salts."

"Do you have any?" Jules was betrayed into uttering.

"No, of course I do not. It was merely a figure of speech," shereturned impatiently. "I will ride until

such time as I consider itunwise, and I will continue with my work in London until that timealso. You have no objections, I trust, Linton?"

He shrugged. "None whatsoever, my dear. It would make very littledifference if I had."

That brought a smile and the challenge in her eyes faded. "Will youvisit the Ducloses with me?"

"I will ride with you, love, whenever you choose to do so yourself," heresponded quietly.

Danielle nodded