The carriage wheels clattered rhythmically against the cobblestones as they made their way through the outskirts of London, but the familiar sound did nothing to settle the butterflies dancing in Felicity's stomach. She pressed her gloved hand to the window, watching the sprawling city come into view through the autumn mist—endless rows of townhouses, smoking chimneys, and bustling streets filled with more people than she had ever seen in one place."Having second thoughts?" Adrian asked gently, his hand covering hers on the velvet seat between them.Felicity turned to look at her husband, resplendent in a perfectly tailored traveling coat of charcoal wool, his dark hair slightly tousled from their long journey. Even after three weeks of marriage, the sight of him still made her pulse quicken with a mixture of love and desire that never seemed to fade."Not about us," she said, intertwining their fingers. "But about... this." She gestured toward the window and the intimidating city beyond. "What if they don't accept me? What if Victoria has already poisoned everyone against me?"Adrian lifted their joined hands to his lips, pressing a tender kiss to her knuckles. "Then they'll learn what a mistake that was. My darling wife, you have no idea how magnificent you are, do you?"Before Felicity could respond, a wave of nausea hit her so suddenly that she had to press her other hand to her mouth, breathing deeply to fight back the sick feeling."Felicity?" Adrian's voice sharpened with concern. "What's wrong? You've been pale all morning."She had been feeling unwell for the past several days, though she'd attributed it to nerves about their return to London. But now, as the queasy feeling intensified with the motion of the carriage, another possibility began to form in her mind—one that made her heart race with a mixture of joy and terror."I... I think I might be..." She couldn't finish the sentence, the words too momentous to speak aloud.Adrian's gray eyes widened with understanding, then blazed with such fierce joy that it took her breath away. "Are you certain?""I don't know. Maybe. The signs are..." She felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment. These were not conversations she had ever imagined having with anyone, let alone in a moving carriage on the way to face London society.Adrian immediately rapped on the carriage roof, calling to their driver. "Stop at the next inn! My wife needs to rest!""Adrian, no," Felicity protested weakly. "We're expected at Blackwood House this afternoon. Your staff, the arrangements you've made—""Can all wait," Adrian said firmly, gathering her into his arms with infinite care. "Nothing is more important than your health and comfort. Nothing."The Golden Swan Inn was a respectable establishment just outside the city proper, and Adrian had them installed in the finest suite within minutes of their arrival. As Felicity rested on the comfortable bed, sipping the ginger tea Adrian had somehow procured, she marveled at the transformation in her husband.Gone was any trace of the cold, calculating man who had married her for revenge. This Adrian was tender, protective, almost reverent as he hovered nearby, ready to fulfill her slightest need."You don't have to fuss over me," she said softly. "I'm not made of spun glass.""You're carrying my child," Adrian replied, his voice rough with emotion as he sat carefully on the edge of the bed. "Our child, Felicity. Do you have any idea what that means to me?"The wonder in his voice made tears prick at her eyes. "Tell me."Adrian reached out to cup her face with gentle hands, his thumbs stroking across her cheekbones. "It means that the family name will continue, yes. But more than that... it means we've created something beautiful together. A living symbol of our love.""Are you happy about it?" she asked, needing to hear the words."Happy?" Adrian's laugh was incredulous. "My darling wife, I'm ecstatic. Terrified, overwhelmed, completely unprepared—but ecstatic." His expression grew more serious. "The question is, how do you feel about becoming a mother so soon after becoming a wife?"Felicity considered the question carefully. The thought of carrying Adrian's child, of raising a little person who would be part of both of them, filled her with a warmth that had nothing to do with the ginger tea."Frightened," she admitted. "I know nothing about being a mother. But also... excited. This child will be so loved, Adrian. So wanted.""More than you can possibly imagine," he murmured, leaning down to press a soft kiss to her lips. "But this also changes our plans for London. We'll need to be more careful, more selective about social engagements. I won't have you exhausted by a parade of society events."Felicity felt a smile tug at her lips. "You're going to be insufferably protective, aren't you?""Absolutely. Shamelessly so." Adrian's grin was unrepentant. "You might as well resign yourself to being thoroughly coddled for the next several months.""And what will London society think of that? A husband who obviously dotes on his merchant-class wife?"Adrian's expression grew fierce. "Let them think what they will. Anyone who has a problem with how I treat my wife can answer to me directly."The vehemence in his voice sent a thrill through Felicity's entire body. To be so cherished, so protected—it was more than she had ever dared dream of during those dark years at Ashworth Manor.A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. Adrian rose to answer it, returning with a worried-looking gentleman in a physician's coat."Dr. Harrison," Adrian said by way of introduction. "He has an excellent reputation with expectant mothers."The examination was brief and discreet, conducted with Adrian holding Felicity's hand throughout. When Dr. Harrison confirmed what they had both suspected, Adrian's grip on her fingers tightened almost imperceptibly."Congratulations, my lord, my lady," the doctor said with a warm smile. "I would estimate the child will arrive in early summer. Lady Blackwood appears to be in excellent health, though I would recommend avoiding excessive travel or social strain during the first few months."After Dr. Harrison departed with a generous fee and strict instructions about discretion, Adrian and Felicity found themselves alone with the momentous news of their impending parenthood."Early summer," Adrian said wonderingly, his hand coming to rest gently on her still-flat stomach. "By then, all of London will know exactly where they stand regarding the new Lady Blackwood.""And where is that, exactly?" Felicity asked, covering his hand with hers."At the very top of society, where you belong," Adrian said with quiet determination. "My wife, the mother of my children, the woman I love more than life itself. Anyone who suggests otherwise will quickly learn the error of their ways."That evening, as they continued their journey into London proper, Felicity felt a new sense of purpose settling over her like armor. She was no longer just the merchant's daughter who had married above her station. She was Lady Blackwood, future mother to the Blackwood heir, and wife to one of the most powerful men in England.When their carriage finally pulled up before the imposing façade of Blackwood House—a magnificent Georgian mansion in one of London's most prestigious squares—Felicity felt ready to face whatever challenges awaited them.The staff had assembled to welcome them home, led by an elderly butler who reminded Felicity of Morrison back in Yorkshire. But it was the woman standing slightly apart from the group who caught her attention—a striking brunette in her thirties, impeccably dressed, with intelligent dark eyes that seemed to assess everything they looked upon."Lord Blackwood," the woman said, stepping forward with a graceful curtsy. "Welcome home. I am Lady Margaret Ashford, your new neighbor. I took the liberty of calling to welcome Lady Blackwood to London society."Felicity felt Adrian tense beside her at the name Ashford, and she remembered that Victoria's full name was Victoria Ashford. This woman shared that surname, which could not be a coincidence."Lady Margaret," Adrian said coolly, his arm coming protectively around Felicity's waist. "How... thoughtful of you."Lady Margaret's smile was perfectly polite, but there was something calculating in her dark eyes that made Felicity's instincts sharpen with wariness."I do hope Lady Blackwood will find London to her liking," Lady Margaret continued, her gaze moving to Felicity with apparent warmth that somehow felt cold as winter frost. "Society can be quite... challenging for those unfamiliar with its complexities.""I'm sure I'll manage," Felicity replied with equal politeness, drawing on every lesson in dignity and grace she had learned over the past weeks. "After all, I have an excellent teacher in my husband.""Indeed." Lady Margaret's smile never wavered, but something flickered in her eyes—surprise, perhaps, that the provincial nobody had shown such composure. "Well, I shall leave you to settle in. But I do hope you'll both attend the Pemberton ball next week. It will be the perfect opportunity for Lady Blackwood to make her formal debut in London society."After Lady Margaret departed in her elegant carriage, Adrian and Felicity stood in the marble foyer of Blackwood House, surrounded by their luggage and the lingering tension of their first encounter with London's social elite."Victoria's cousin?" Felicity guessed."Sister-in-law," Adrian confirmed grimly. "Which means Victoria has had three weeks to prepare London for our arrival. And if Lady Margaret is any indication, they haven't been spreading warm wishes for our happiness."Felicity looked around the opulent entrance hall—crystal chandelier, marble columns, priceless artwork—and felt a moment of overwhelming doubt. This was to be her world now, filled with people who would judge her every word, every gesture, every breath.Then she felt Adrian's hand slip into hers, warm and strong and reassuring, and remembered the precious secret they now shared. She was carrying his child, the future heir to all of this. She had every right to be here, and anyone who suggested otherwise would have to contend with both of them."Let them come," she said quietly, her voice steady with newfound resolve. "I'm not the same frightened girl who scrubbed floors at Ashworth Manor. I'm Lady Blackwood now. And it's time London society learned exactly what that means."Adrian's smile was brilliant with pride and love as he lifted her hand to his lips. "That's my magnificent wife," he murmured against her gloves. "Ready to conquer London?""With you beside me?" Felicity's answering smile was fierce with determination. "I'm ready for anything."As they climbed the grand staircase to begin their new life in London, neither of them could have predicted the challenges that awaited them in the glittering, treacherous world of high society. But they faced those unknown trials together, united by love and strengthened by the knowledge that they had already survived deception, betrayal, and heartbreak to find each other.Whatever came next, they would face it as partners—and soon, as a family.
