Lord Marquis was banished outside whilst Eveline was bringing another of their children into the world. He stood outside anxiously wondering how he was going to get Sister Madeline alone after the birth, before she had a chance to talk to his wife. The birth was long and hard work for Eveline, but finally she gave birth to a little baby girl and named her Catrina. Eveline was utterly exhausted but happy to have produced her first daughter.
Eveline held little Catrina and said to Sister Madeline “Isnt she perfect? Now our little family is complete, I am so blessed. I couldn’t be happier if I tried; my family is everything to me.” Sister Madeline did her best to smile, but knowing that her time to give Eveline the truth about her husband was very near she felt her smile was empty of real feeling. Eveline didn’t notice though, she was engrossed in her little newborn.
Lord Marquis was called in to meet his little daughter and he said and did all that a proud father should. Sister Madeline was amazed once again at his acting skills, he gave every impression of being a devoted husband and father. Once Lord Marquis had met his daughter, looking up at Sister Madeline and speaking as casually as possible he said “If Sister Madeline doesn’t mind I have found an unusual flower in the woods on our estate which I believe may have beneficial medical effects, I thought now might be a good time to show her and then we can call on my neighbours and share my good news.”
Before Sister Madeline could reply the doctor cut in, ” I must insist on a word with your Lordship first, it won’t be long.” Lord Marquis could do nothing except be guided to the dining room, leaving Sister Madeline and Eveline alone.Once in the dining room the doctor began “Congratulations on the birth of you daughter. I am glad it has worked out so well but this has taken a lot out of your wife. It’s my medical opinion that she needs a few years to recover from childbearing before she even considers having another. She is a very fragile young woman and will need a lot of tender loving care to return to full health.”
Lord Marquis looked vaguely confused, his mind only half on the conversation, he was very aware that Sister Madeline was alone with his wife and might be telling her anything, he managed to respond “My wife does appear well, is it really this serious?” The doctor explained “Your wife has been pushing her body more than it can take, she had a long, hard labour and I was worried for her but she has come through. I would like to confine her to her room for a few days so she can have complete rest and then she needs to be taking it easy. In her weak state even a simple cold may prove too much for her, so you should limit the visitors allowed and like I said more children are out of the question for at least a few years.” Lord Marquis replied “I understand completely, I will do all you ask, I had no idea her health was so fragile.”
Meanwhile in the bedroom, Sister Madeline had been putting off the moment of revelation to Eveline. She could see the exhaustion in the woman’s face, although she had no idea of how fragile she was but also she saw such happiness, she wasn’t quite sure how to go about bringing this lady’s world crashing down around her. Eveline had been quiet but now began to talk “I am not sure you will understand what this little girl means to me Sister as you never had children of your own, but she is the dearest gift from God after all my troubles. Ever since I grew up all I ever wanted was to be a wife and a mother, those were my aims and look at me now so perfectly happy in the life God has blessed me.”
Sister Madeline did look into the shining face of Eveline and she knew then she couldn’t be the one to shatter all her dreams. It was a happiness based on lies she knew it but maybe they could turn true? Maybe Lord Marquis could be persuaded to change? She just knew the horrible truth wouldn’t come from her, she just didn’t have the heart. She also knew her prediction that the truth would come to Eveline’s ears another way was still likely if Lord Marquis didn’t curb his activities. Let him change or let her hear about it from someone else, but whilst there was a chance she could keep her happiness Sister Madeline wasn’t going to be the one to tear it away. Her decision made, she left Eveline with her little girl and walked out.
Lord Marquis was waiting, glancing in at Eveline he saw her happily playing with little Catrina. “Good” he thought “She hasn’t had the time to tell her yet.” Out loud he said “So Sister, is now a convenient time to check this flower?” Sister Madeline nodded her head and followed him outside. She was glad to have a chance to talk to him about changing his behaviour and wanted to do her best to make him understand what ruin laid ahead, Lord Marquis was intent on very different ideas. He patted his belt where a sturdy knife hang, all he needed now was a nice secluded place, he knew just the spot.
Next Marquis post: https://goldenvalley.wordpress.com/2007/07/20/another-chance/
OOooooooooh he can’t kill a nun !!!!!
Oh my. He has lost his mind. He’ll resort to anything to keep her from knowing what a sleaze he is.
I agree, he can’t kill a nun!!!
Little Catrina is so very cute! It’s a shame her mum is so ill! Poor Eveline is very fragile, she is too happy and weak to tell! It might very well break her! What wories me is that Sister Madeline has agreed to go into the woods with Lord Marquis! I do hope the nun has a chance to tell him what she has decided bout his future before he tries to attack her! If he does then either the nun will die or Eveline will know! The whole improve yourself thing will be a big challenge to the Lord especially as he loves his ways! I’m not sure it will work very well! Hmmm this is very worrying! I do hope it improves!
xxxxxx