Rawlings ushered Agnes out and closed the door.
“She’s a good housekeeper, Nicola.”
“Yes, we are lucky to have her.”
Frances passed the teacup and saucer to her, her expression quizzical. “What did you mean that your life wouldn’t be as it was before?”
Nicola took a deep breath, not knowing whether she should part with her new-found secret. In the end, she couldn’t resist. “Can you keep a secret?”
“Need you ask?” Frances leaned back in her chair, the tea forgotten.
“You’ll not have to keep it for long, only until Nathaniel comes home.”
“How intriguing, do tell.”
“Doctor Armitage was here this morning and he examined me because I...”
“Oh, Nicola, please don’t tell me you have something seriously wrong with you? I couldn’t bear it.”
“No, let me finish.” She reached over and took her dear friend’s hand. “I asked him to come because I…I thought I might be with child.”
Frances’s grey eyes grew wide. “A child?”
Nodding, Nicola waited, hoping she’d be happy for her. “Doctor Armitage confirmed it.”
“A baby!”
“Yes. I can barely believe it myself. Wishing and hoping for a child is different to actually achieving it and I must admit I’m a little scared as well as delighted.”
Tears filled France’s eyes. “I’ll be an aunt. Oh, Nic.” She jumped up and hugged Nicola, laughing and crying. “This is wonderful, thrilling news. A baby in the family.”
“Nat will be pleased, I hope.”
“Pleased?” Frances clapped, joy radiating from her face. “He’ll be like a dog with two tails. He’s wanted children, wanted to be a father, more so since meeting you.”
“I’m going to tell him tonight.”
“Yes, do. After all that’s happened, he’ll be overjoyed.” Frances sat back in her chair when the door opened, her look of happiness fading as Nat walked in. His face was pale and anxious.
“Nathaniel? You’re home earlier than I expected.” A shiver of fear ran down Nicola’s back. “What is it?”
He held up his hand, showing a yellow piece of paper. “A telegram came to my office, from Melbourne.”
“And?” France frowned. “Why is it affecting you so much? Is it bad news?”
“That depends on your opinion.” He gave a brief sad smile. “It’s from our mother.”
“Mother?”
Nathaniel sighed deeply, at this moment looking his thirty-four years. “Her ship, the Ira Jayne docked in Melbourne to disembark some of its passengers and Mother thought she’d take the opportunity to warn us of her impending arrival.”
Nicola looked from one to the other, their shock mirroring each other. One part of her wanted to say, it is only your mother, but the other side of her, the sensible part, knew that such words were useless. Nathaniel and Frances had both told her stories from their childhood concerning their parents. Tales, which were far from the happy reminiscences they should be.
How was she going to accept a woman, her own mother-in-law, into her home when she’d been responsible for such hurt towards two people she loved so dearly?
“She cannot come, Nat.” Frances’s wooden tone hung heavy in the air.
“We cannot stop her now, Fran. She is on her way and will arrive by the week’s end.”
“Then meet the ship when it docks and tell her to return to England.”
Nicola gave Fran a sympathetic smile. “That is impossible, Fran. I doubt that she will agree to that after journeying for over a month or more.”
“Then she can stay in a hotel.” Frances jumped to her feet. “She can stay with the very devil if she wishes, but she cannot stay here!”
“And how will that look to people?”
“I don’t care.”
Nicola rubbed her temples, trying to think of a solution. “It will be expected that she comes to this house. As her daughter-in-law, I am expected to care for her needs. I won’t be accused of ignoring her and not doing my duty.”
Frances paced, glaring at first Nat and then back at Nicola. “You don’t know her. You don’t know how she corrupts your mind without you realising it.”
“Calm down, Frances.” Nat sighed. “You haven’t seen her for nearly three years and I haven’t for five. Father’s passing might have changed her.”
“Nathaniel’s right, Fran.” Nicola nodded. “We have to give her a chance.”
Nat looked at her and she held out her hand to him, which he gratefully took. “I’m sorry, my darling.” He kissed the top of her head. “This was the last thing I expected.”
“There is nothing for you to apologise for, my love. It is hardly your doing.” She placed his palm against her cheek. “We shall weather it. Besides, she may have changed. Wouldn’t that be splendid?”