Learning to Love the Spinster

Chapter 13

Philipa sat next to her husband in the carriage, squeezing his hand in hers. She could hear the clip clop of the horses, and the spinning of the carriage wheels bringing her ever closer to her impending doom. The ball to celebrate her nuptials with the Duke of Stoneville, she was going to be mocked, called a whale. It didn’t matter that she was heavy with child, that would only give the gossips further reasons to talk.

Breathe Philipa, you aren't that girl any longer, you are not some plain, plumb wallflower. You are the Duchess of Stoneville! Simon married you! He chose you, you are a Duchess, second only to Royalty.

Flip looked down at her belly, it didn’t matter that he only married her cause of the babe. He was truly starting to care for her, she truly believed that. Philipa had to hold on to that, it was all she had. That and the babe.

Philipa looked as her new husband sat next her in the carriage without a care in the world. Men.

Anna suggested she come up with a list of reminders to keep her strong, her head held high. That is what Anna drilled into her head as she finished dressing her for the ball tonight; you are beautiful, you are the Duchess of Stoneville, Simon married you.

Philipa took a deep fortifying breath as the carriage stopped, and the door was opened, she saw her father and brother standing in the back waiting for them. Her father came to embrace her. and he had a look of pride in his eyes. That look gave her the fortitude she needed to make her entrance. Philipa walked to the the Duchess’s home with both her husband and father holding her hand. Jack was standing in front of her, protecting her.

She was waiting for her and Simon to be called, still a tiny bit nervous, when all of a sudden, the baby started kicking. She couldn’t stop the smile from forming. Unknowingly she grabbed Simon’s hand and put it on her belly,

“Do you feel it?” She looked up at Simon. Simon looked down at her with a tender and loving look in his eyes,

“Aye love I feel her.”

“Him, it will be a boy,” she replied full of confidence as they moved unconsciously forward.

“You're that sure?” Simon teased her, and just like that the two of them were in their own little world. Flip soaked up the loving look in his eyes. There was no London ton waiting to tear her apart with their vicious gossip.

“Yes, your Grace.” Simon leaned down to kiss her just as Flip heard from the announcer.

“May I present for the first time, Duke and Duchess of Stoneville.” Flip hurriedly pulled away from Simon, but he didn’t let her move very far. Philipa looked up at him with a huge blush on her face and saw a big, satisfied smile on his face. Even if it was a ball in their honor, it was highly inappropriate to be caught kissing your husband, let alone as you are announced at the darn ball. As to be expected as hush fell over the crowd after the announcement. When they were caught kissing, several female gasps of outrage with several “awe’s” as well. Flip assumed it was from the young debutantes that wanted love for themselves.

Philipa tried to hurriedly make it down the stairs, but given her condition, that made it impossible. Simon however, put a hand on her back as well as taking her other hand helping the whole way. As it was hard going she focused on her father as well as her brother who stood side by side with proud smiles on their faces. Flip didn’t think she could get any happier.

She was wrong, throughout the whole evening Simon did as he promised and stayed directly by her side. Not only that he either had his hand on her back protectively in case one of her former tormentors dared to stray to close, but Simon also simply veered them to a new group of people. In doing so his hand would unconsciously slip up to rub her belly where their babe lay. It made her fall even more in love with him that he not only knew who had been vicious to her in the past, but protected her from them. The dancing had recently started, and Simon had turned down more than a few women who thought they could get his attention tonight. Simon looked to her,

“Love, why don’t we take a walk around the gardens since I am unable to dance with you this eve.” The love she saw in his eyes blew her away, cause that’s what it had to be right? Love?

“I’d be delighted, but I need to go to the lady’s,” Philipa said with a blush. Simon smiled at his wife.

“Only you could still blush like a virgin and be far along with child,” Simon whispered in her ear. Flip couldn’t help but giggle at his words and he gave her a kiss on the forehead.

“I’ll wait for you in the terrace,” Simon told her and she smiled.

.

The night was so amazing, unlike every previous experience in London society. Flip should have known that she spoke too soon.

It was when she went to the bathroom when Philipa was crushed. That was when she got crushed, her family couldn’t protect her there. Philipa was using the necessary when several woman from her come out walked in.

“Can you believe the show Simon is putting on?” Lady Mansfield said with a laugh. She was a young widow who everyone in society knew shared Simon’s bed for a long time. Lady Mansfield desperately wanted Simon to marry her, and rumors had spread that he would offer for her. One of her female companions laughed,

“We all know that he married that foolish girl because he got her pregnant.” One of the girls said. One of the women clicked their tongue in distaste.

“He will be back in your bed before you know it Claire.”

“Who said he ever left?” The woman left the room and Flip finally left her hiding spot. Philipa couldn’t stop a few stray tears from falling. She repeated what Anna told her before she left for the ball this evening in her mind.

‘You are the Duchess of Stoneville. You are beautiful. You are kind. Simon married you.’ Flip looked at the reflective mirror and said it out loud.

“Simon married you!” Flip had to believe that those women were just speaking out of jealousy, and that Simon hadn’t lied to her. He truly cared for her. Flip waited a few moments until her eyes were no longer red and puffy then walked out to the terrace. She quickly found Simon who seemed to be agitated.

“Flip are you okay?”

“I’m fine Simon, did something happen?” She inquired and Simon shook his head.

“Come my sweet, let’s take a walk in the garden,” Simon said loudly for everyone listening in and lead her away. “If only this place had a greenhouse then we could have a little fun,” Simon whispered in her ear. Philipa blushed and swatted his arm.

“Hush.”

.

The night ended on a positive note when Simon’s mother and Flip’s father dragged the couple to center stage to say a few words about the couple. It was guaranteed that Philipa’s father would say kind words as he had taken Simon under his wing after Simon’s father had died. Simon’s mother however, was the wildcard. The whole crowd waited with bated breathe to see if the former duchess would give her seal of approval or not.

“A toast! To the happy couple, and to my new daughter Duchess Philipa. I am so happy to welcome you to the family, I can see how happy you make my son.” The matriarch told Philipa and everyone was shocked, especially when she gave a slight tilt of her head. Simon was so happy at his mother publicly welcoming his new wife that he went up and hugged his mother. If only his siblings would show Philipa the same amount of care.

…

From the shadows he took a long pull of his cheroot, and stared at the embracing couple with hate. Thanks to that w***e all of his well laid plans were ruined. The plans spanned years, and in six months all of his plans, time, and most importantly money would be lost. He smiled a savage smile and decided it was time to spread the pain before word got out. It would only be a matter of months before everything came crumbling down around him, and his precious Celeste would leave him.

.

Flip was wiped out after an London ball while being so far gone in her pregnancy. The constant traveling for the past week, and stress of facing London society had sent Flip into hysterics. Now with the hall being over, she could finally relax and take a breath. Philipa went home and slept in a familiar home, and didn’t awaken until noon the next day.

When flip woke she was sad to find that Simon was gone, though she was happy to find that both Davis as well as Anna were in the home bickering like an old married couple. Philipa took care of her morning business then went down to break her fast. When she finished with her meal she decided to lay back down in the nice and fluffy bed.

They would most likely leave London tomorrow and Philipa was not looking forward to sleeping in the carriage again. Simon did make the traveling fun, but there is nothing he could do against those darn carriage bench’s.

.

They thankfully didn’t leave the next morning, Simon wanted to give her a couple days to recuperate. Philipa was happy with his decision as she knew Simon was swamped with his work as well. Flip mainly spent time napping as her late stages of pregnancy took a toll on her body.

The day before they were due to leave Philipa had some unwanted visitors, Simons siblings. Jane and Henry came over to call with no warning so Simon was not home. Simon also wasn’t happy with them as they did not come to the ball to give their support to their marriage. When they showed up Flip was laying down upstairs and Anna had informed her of their arrival.

“Anna please send some one to find Simon and let him know his siblings are here.” Anna nodded in understanding,

“I’ll let Davis know, and I’ll be back to help you dress.”

“Also have cook get tea ready please.” Flip said as she slowly made her way out of bed. Flip managed to get out of bed, and went to the necessary to do her business. She was trying to pick out a decent dress when Anna came back.

“I think I like the blue one,” Flip said and to be honest it was one of the few ones that fit her. Anna nodded and slipped the dress over her head. Anna finished getting her dressed and helped her down the stairs. Philipa walked in just as Davis brought in the tea tray.

“Oh look! It’s our new sister,” Henry arose as Flip walked to the settee.

“Finally, we’ve only been waiting for twenty minutes,” Jane said snidely. Henry gave her a hug that made her very uncomfortable.

“Well what do you expect as you arrive with no notice and I’m expecting,” Philipa said matching her tone. Philipa and Jane never got along. Jane was a viper, and was particularly vicious to her. The simple reason being that Simon spent most of his time away from school at her home, and Jane was jealous. Despite it was the fact that Simon’s family was cold. Despite the glares from both the siblings Flip served the tea, when everyone had a cup and some sandwiches she decided to be blunt.

“Why are you here? Do you need money?”