The Pregnant Bride's Trouble Read online

  “When did your husband die?”

  “Andrew passed about four months before I came out here.” Bryony hesitated. “That was about six months ago.”

  Lee blinked.

  “Andrew? He was Andrea Baltrusch’s brother, wasn’t he?”

  “Yes. They were twins.”

  Lee grunted.

  “Andrew and Andrea. How original.”

  “Their parents were simple people. Lovely, but simple.”

  Bryony didn’t look six months pregnant. Then again, Lee couldn’t tell with all the clothes on and she looked thin, too thin. He was going to need Bryony to remove some of her layers, and he was aware of his face going red. He coughed.

  “I’m going to need to take a look. To make a definite check for you.”

  “I…”

  Bryony’s face was going as red as Lee’s felt.

  Lee hurried on.

  “If you want someone here, I’ll ask for Mrs. Parry to come here. She’s the midwife, so she’ll be with you at the birth, anyway.”

  Bryony bit her face. Then she nodded.

  “I’d like her here, please. But…”

  “Yes?”

  “Please, don’t tell anyone else. Not even Mary.”

  “Why on earth not?”

  Keeping a pregnancy like this secret was practically impossible. Lee could keep his patients’ confidentiality, but he couldn’t guarantee that it wouldn’t get out. In fact, he knew it would get out, especially as time went on. Bryony’s hands fluttered before her and her eyes glanced everywhere but at him. She was getting more and more nervous by the second, physically withdrawing from him.

  “I’m here to look for a husband. I can’t get one if I’m pregnant. No one wants to be saddled with another man’s baby.”

  Lee understood that. But he wasn’t here for that. He was here to make sure the baby and mother were going to be fine. Unable to stop himself, Lee leaned forward and cupped Bryony’s face in his hands. She gasped, but she didn’t pull away. Her eyes snagged hold of Lee’s and he couldn’t look away, even if he wanted to. He smiled, trying to ignore the fact that his pulse was fluttering in his throat as his heart hammered on his chest.

  “Let’s not worry about that for now, Bryony. Focus on your health and your baby. If you don’t want me to say anything, I won’t. It’s up to you.” He rubbed his thumb against her jaw. “You and your baby are a priority now, nothing else.”

  Bryony was still staring at him. It was like someone had never suggested that to her before.

  Lee had to resist the urge to kiss her. This was a professional setting, not a seduction suite. Angry with himself, he coughed and drew away.

  “I’ll send for the midwife,” he mumbled. “Don’t go away.”

  Then he stood and practically stumbled out of the room.

  3

  Andrea Baltrusch was practically squealing as she jumped up and down in her seat, nearly knocking over the cups on the table.

  “Oh, my God! Bryony!” She grasped Bryony’s hand. “I can’t believe you’re pregnant! Congratulations!”

  Bryony smiled. She had made Lee promise not to say anything beyond Mrs. Parry, but she knew she needed to tell her former sister-in-law. Andrea wouldn’t judge her for hiding it for so long. She was like a sister to Bryony.

  This should have been done a long time ago.

  “Thank you. I’m glad someone’s happy about it.”

  “You’re not happy about it?”

  “I am.” Bryony rubbed at her belly, now clearly visible through one dress instead of four. “But I wish Andrew was here.”

  The moment was bittersweet. Andrew had wanted to become a father, and Bryony was more than happy to be a mother if he was at her side. But he wasn’t. She was alone, her and her baby’s future unsure, and she didn’t like it.

  Andrea gave her a smile and squeezed her hand.

  “I know. But think of it this way: you’ve got a part of my brother with you.”

  “I suppose so.” Bryony looked down at her body. “But I’m not going to be able to find a husband when I’m this far along. I won’t do Mary’s success rate any good.”

  “Don’t worry about that right now. And Mary will be delighted that you’re going to have a child.” Andrea winked. “It will be someone else to talk to about what she’s going through. How far along are you?”

  Bryony winced. She had got her dates wrong. Badly. Lee and Mrs. Parry had been surprised themselves when they did the calculations.

  “I thought I was about six months along. I’m actually eight months along.”

  The look on Andrea’s face was almost laughable. Bryony was sure her face had reacted the same. Lee’s face had certainly been one of complete surprise. Mrs. Parry, when they had checked her over and done the dates, had been the only one who didn’t look shocked with it. She had been the only one who could sit down with Bryony and talk to her about what she was to expect in the next few weeks. Lee had simply wandered off and sat at his desk in a dream.

  Bryony couldn’t blame him. How she had managed to go through almost all of her pregnancy without anyone noticing or any help was astonishing. It was a miracle she hadn’t been showing earlier than this, but she knew she was underweight and Mrs. Parry had admonished her about that.

  “What…what?” Andrea looked like she had been hit over the head. “How have you managed to keep that secret for so long?”

  “I didn’t start showing until after we got here.” Bryony found herself rubbing at her belly again. Now she was being more relaxed about her pregnancy and opening up slowly, she ended up touching her stomach in wonder. “And I wasn’t feeling sick until we got on the train. I thought it was just travel sickness until a week after I got here.”

  Andrea whistled.

  “I never would have thought it. Mary started feeling the change almost immediately. You managed to go through almost the whole pregnancy without knowing.”

  “I sort of knew, but I didn’t. If you know what I mean. And now I’m due to give birth in a month.” Bryony gulped. “And I’m scared.”

  Bryony didn’t mind admitting that, not to Andrea. She wouldn’t judge her for it.

  Andrea sat forward, reaching for her friend’s hand.

  “Do you want me to be there?”

  Bryony nodded.

  “Please. That’s why I’m telling you now.”

  Andrea’s smile widened.

  “Of course I will. You’re my brother’s wife. You made him happy, and I love you like my own sister.”

  That made Bryony feel better. She squeezed Andrea’s fingers.

  “Thank you.”

  “And you’ll have Mrs. Parry there. She’s a lovely lady and she knows her stuff.” Andrea winked. “And, of course, there’s Doctor Lambert.”

  Doctor Lambert. Lee Lambert. Bryony felt heat pooling in her belly, and she withdrew her hand, sure that Andrea could feel her palms getting sweaty. Just the mere mention of the man had Bryony coming out in a sweat. The handsome, dark-haired man should come with a warning, she was sure of it. Six feet, broad and stocky, the doctor had some youthful looks and a twinkle in his eye that was hard to miss. He was a big man and Bryony felt safe, secure, and at the same time excited when he was there. Often she wanted to go into his arms and have him hold her, to tell her all would be all right.

  Among other things. She also got the urge to kiss him.

  It was that sudden attraction to him that had Bryony keeping her distance. She didn’t want to look a complete fool. And having him know that she was pregnant had her feeling mortified. Of course, Lee hadn’t batted an eyelid. He took it in his stride, and Bryony couldn’t stop herself from falling even more for his strength. He didn’t care.

  It was just a shame he was a renowned bachelor and wasn’t interested in a wife at all. That was another reason to keep away from him; Bryony didn’t want to get her hopes up.

  Andrea raised her eyebrows at Bryony’s silence.

  “You don’t like
the thought of him being there?”

  “I don’t know. He’s been very kind to me, but…”

  “But what?”

  Bryony didn’t want to discuss her infatuation for the doctor, not even with her sister-in-law. She was confused raw with grief one moment, desperate for any husband to keep her and the baby the next... and then she dreamed of a life with Lee, a good life. It was too raw, even for her to understand. She averted her eyes as Andrea looked at her curiously.

  “I can’t find a husband when I’m like this. And I can’t go around looking for one when I have a new-born baby. Who’s going to look at me as wife material? How will we survive?”

  “You will we will all help you. Anyway this will be proof that you can have children. A lot of men would be looking for that.”

  “Thanks but I’m not sure that helps.”

  Andrea sat back, a frown creasing her forehead.

  “Why are you so concerned about Doctor Lambert seeing you like that? You’ve got feelings for him, haven’t you?”

  The woman was infuriating. When she wanted to be, she was very astute. Bryony groaned, and Andrea’s eyes lit up.

  “I was right. You do have feelings for him.”

  “Shush!”

  Bryony waved her hands to quieten her, looking around hurriedly. It was busy in the café, but she didn’t want people overhearing. She was getting enough curious looks about her current state, as it was.

  “Keep your voice down, Andrea,” Bryony hissed. “And I shouldn’t be feeling like this. I should still be in mourning for Andrew. What's wrong with me?”

  Andrea sighed.

  “I know. I miss him, too. And I lived with him since birth. But we can’t help out feelings. And I can’t think of anyone better for you, if I’m honest.”

  “I’m not worried about your opinion on who I should and shouldn’t be with,” Bryony muttered. But it did help. “But he’s not written in for a wife.”

  “So what? Neither had Steven and we still got married.”

  “I know, and you’re still carrying the afterglow.” Bryony giggled as Andrea threw back her head and laughed. She sighed and stared at her teacup. “I feel like a fool, though, pining after him.”

  “Don’t be.” Andrea nudged her with her foot. “It’s perfectly natural. And don’t focus on men right now. Focus on you and your baby. It’s going to be a few weeks before you’re a mother for real. Prepare yourself for that.”

  That sounded more like something Bryony should do. But the thought of becoming a mother when the father wasn’t around was terrifying.

  4

  Lee checked Mary’s heart, which was beating nicely, and sat back, taking the stethoscope out of his ears.

  “That sounds fine. Mind if I check your belly, Mary?”

  “Of course.”

  Mary eased back onto the bed and Lee pressed his hands gently around her slowly swelling bump. He could feel a few places tightening against his fingers, which told him the baby was kicking. Even that brought a smile to his face. It reminded him of when he helped Emily Parry check over Bryony’s baby the day before and the joy he had feeling it kick against his hand.

  He had to stop thinking about Bryony. Now was not the time. Lee concentrated on the woman before him.

  “How are things going now?”

  “I’m still feeling nauseous, but that seems to be easing.” Mary grimaced. “It’s going to get worse if you keep prodding me, though.”

  “Sorry.” Lee withdrew his hands. “But things are good right now. The baby is moving around nicely. And the sickness easing off is natural as well now you’re in what we call the second trimester.”

  “I’m glad about that.” Mary rose up onto her elbows. “And what about Bryony’s baby?”

  Lee started. He hadn’t said a thing about Bryony’s pregnancy, and he didn’t think Bryony would say anything to Mary just yet. He tried to play dumb.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I figured it out as soon as she came here.” Mary winked. “A woman knows these things.”

  Lee didn’t doubt that. He cleared his throat and put his things into his bag.

  “She… she’s getting all you’ve been having. But much later on. She didn’t even think she was pregnant until after she got here.”

  “How far along is she?”

  “She’ll be due in a few weeks.”

  Mary sat up, her mouth dropping open. She whistled.

  “Whoa. That is impressive to go that long without knowing.”

  “She did. Just nobody else did.”

  “Why on earth would she do that?”

  Lee felt like he was betraying Bryony’s confidences. But he was too deep in now.

  “She didn’t want it to ruin her chances of finding a husband.”

  Mary snorted.

  “It won’t. She can have children, which is a plus. And she needs to look after herself.” She grinned. “With your help, of course.”

  “I’ll do whatever I can.”

  “I’m sure you will.”

  Mary’s knowing look was making Lee uncomfortable. He could feel his face going red and he didn’t like being on the back foot. He glared back at Mary, who was giving him a smug grin.

  “What is that supposed to mean?”

  “Nothing.”

  Mary tried to look innocent, but Lee wasn’t falling for it. Over the years, he had got used to picking out when a patient was hiding something. They often had ailments they were too embarrassed to talk about, even to their doctor. Lee knew that Mary was planning something.

  “What are you up to?”

  “Nothing, really,” Mary protested when Lee snorted. “You’ve got an impending birth to think about.”

  “And I never thought you’d be cagey.” Lee shook his head. “Come on, Mrs. Stanier, what’s going on in that head of yours?”

  “I told you, nothing.”

  But Lee could tell Mary was waiting for him to say something. And it had something to do with Bryony. She was the matchmaker, after all. Perhaps she was trying to match the two of them up.

  Lee knew that would never happen. No matter what he thought, Bryony wouldn’t consider him a suitor for her. She was nervous around him, withdrawing whenever Lee thought he was getting through to her. He couldn’t have a wife who was scared of him, even though Lee would have jumped at the chance to have Bryony as his wife.

  She was, very quickly, eroding away his determination to remain a bachelor.

  Lee narrowed his eyes at Mary.

  “You want me to confess something, don’t you?”

  “Do you have something to confess?”

  “No.”

  Mary shrugged.

  “Suit yourself. Although…”

  “I thought you weren’t up to something.”

  “I have wondered why you haven’t asked for a bride yourself.” Mary carried on as if Lee hadn’t interrupted. “Especially when you keep hanging around Bryony.”

  Lee could feel his face going red.

  “She’s a patient. Of course I would be hanging around her.”

  “You were hanging around her before then.”

  Lee gritted his teeth.

  “I’m not getting pulled into your matchmaking schemes, Mary. I’m a bachelor, through and through. I intend to remain that way.”

  Why did that not sound as convincing as it had done before? From the look on Mary’s face, she could hear it, too.

  “All right.” She folded her arms. “If you say so.”

  “I do say so. I admire and respect Bryony, yes, but that’s not changing anything.”

  Mary laughed.

  “I’m sure you’ll be changing your mind in the near future.”

  They were going around in circles. Lee glared at Mary.

  “You’re a lot more confident now you’re pregnant. I think I preferred it when you first arrived.”

  Mary giggled.

  “I don’t.”

  Lee grunted.


  “I figured.”

  5

  “Bryony?”

  Bryony jumped and looked up. Across the table from her, Dean Penrose gave her a strange look. It was then that Bryony realized she had been staring at her food and hadn’t listened to a word that Dean had said.

  “Hmm?”

  “Are you with me? You were staying off into the abyss there.”

  Bryony blushed and looked away.

  “Sorry, Dean. I was thinking about something else.”

  This wasn’t how it was meant to be. Bryony hadn’t expected to be taken out to dinner by one of the miners. Dean had been hanging around her for a while, but he hadn’t really approached her. Not until word got around that Bryony was due to give birth. Then he started coming over, asking her out to dinner. Bryony turned him down each time until the last one, when she decided one evening wouldn’t do any harm. She hadn’t been out and treated to a dinner for a long time. And Dean had promised to be on his best behavior.

  Now she was beginning to think this was a bad idea. Dean took over the conversation and barely let Bryony get a word in. He talked about himself and his future where he wanted to raise lots and lots of children while his wife popped them out as fast as she could, staying at home to look after them. Bryony wanted children but not that type of life, it sounded like she would be a simple broodmare. Bred until she was too tired to do anything else. She pitied the poor woman who eventually married Dean. Even though she was desperate... it certainly wouldn’t be her.

  “You’re worried about the impending birth, aren’t you?”

  Bryony shrugged.

  “A little bit.”

  She was two weeks away from the estimated due date and her stomach had been tightening up. Everything was incredibly uncomfortable, and she couldn’t settle on anything. Though she had put some weight on now she didn’t want to eat much. She couldn’t wait to give birth and be able to sleep on her stomach again. And whenever the women in San Francisco were talking to her and their birth stories came up, it was all horror stories. Bryony had to admit she was scared.