Learning to Love the Spinster

Chapter 10

Flip had never been so happy in her whole life. Simon wanted her, and her alone. Simon didn’t turn to other women to relieve his passions, he wanted her. Simon could have had any woman he desired in his bed, but for the past seven months he had only her warm his bed. Simon jumped out of the carriage when it came to a stop, and lifted her down. She couldn’t help but smile up at him, and was thrilled to her toes when he leaned down to give her a quick kiss on her forehead. Simon held out his arm, and she took it. They walked into the inn, Simon looked down at her and said,

“Why don’t you visit the necessary while I get us a room.” Flip blushed at his comment and she nodded and went to relieve herself.

Simon went up to the front desk. Simon paid for one room for the night and headed to find Flip.

“Holy bloody hell,” he said in a small voice.

He was in a world of trouble. Jack was not a foot from him and headed this way. Simon plastered a smile on his face, and went toward his friend.

“Simon what the bloody hell are you doing here?” Jack asked with a laugh.

“Oh I am just heading up to one of my estates, what are you doing here?” Christ, he hoped Flip didn’t come around the corner anytime soon. This was not the time or place to get into it with Jack

“The same join me for a drink,”

“I am sorry, but-“ Simon was cut off when the proprietor came up to him.

“Sorry to disturb you, your grace. However, your Lady asked me to deliver a message for you.”

“Your Lady?” Jack queried.

“Yes?” Simon prompted.

“Your Lady demands you come back to the room, and um- well I’d rather not say the rest.” The poor man looked quiet embarrassed. Simon wanted to laugh at Flip’s cleverness.

“It’s all right, I understand.” Simon looked to Jack, who chuckled and said,

“Don’t let me get in your way; I will talk to you in the morning.” Simon smiled, and took his leave. Simon walked down the hallway, and about ran into Flip when he turned the corner. Simon almost laughed at her horrified expression.

“What in the world is he doing here?” Flip asked bewildered. Simon couldn’t help but crack a smile at her thoughts that reflected his own.

“I don’t know honey, but I don’t want to find out, come along our room is this way.” Simon led the way at a brisk pace, he didn’t want to take the chance of jack coming around the corner and surprising them. Simon found their room turned the key in the lock and opened the door. Simon opened the door and let Flipe proceed him. Simon entered the room then shut the door and locked it. Simon turned around and pulled Flip into his arms. “What a clever little wife I have,” Simon remarked.

“Not yet,” Flip replied in a small voice.

“Not soon enough to please me,” Simon felt Flip smile against his neck, and he smiled in return. “Sweetheart in my shock of seeing you pregnant with my babe there has been something I neglected to do.” Simon said and pulled away from her

“What’s that?” Simon pulled out his great-grandmothers ring, opened the box, and went down onto one knee.

“Philipa Turner, would you do me the honor and privilege of becoming my wife?” To Simon’s utter horror, Flip burst into tears.

“What’s wrong? Do you not like the ring?” He asked confused, and thought he should rise up. He didn’t get the chance, Philipa threw herself onto him. Simon about lost his balance, trying not to put too much pressure on the babe.

“Of course I like the ring Simon,” Flip said in between tears.

“Then why are you crying?” Simon asked confused.

“I never thought I would be this happy, I never thought that you would ask for my hand,” Flip said in between sobs. Simon smiled as he leaned his face into her neck.

“I am glad that I can make you so happy you can’t contain it,” at this Flip broke into an awkward laugh. Simon smiled, “Does this mean the answer is yes?”

Flip pulled back from his arms with a look of happiness he had never seen before, and it hit him right in his heart. Simon had made her this happy, he only brought pain to everyone around him. His parents railed at him every chance they had about the embarrassment and shame he brought them. Simon’s brother and sister hated him every time he curbed their spending. However, he made Flip happy which in return made him the happiest man in the world.

“You really are a dolt,” Flip said and plastered her lips to his. Simon wrapped his arms around her, and deepened the kiss. His mouth slanted over Flip’s again and again. When Simon was rock hard he decided that he needed to end this torment before it escalated. Simon pulled his mouth away, and smiled when he heard Flip protest.

“Sweetheart we can’t continue down this path,” Simon said smiling through his raging lust.

“You’re right,” Flip replied shaking. Flip backed away from him, but stopped when he grabbed her wrist. Slowly he slid the ring upon her ring finger. Simon’s eyes met hers, and a single tear ran down her cheek. Simon’s thumb wiped away the lone tear, and he smiled before giving her

a swift kiss on the lips.

“Let’s get ready for bed sweeting.”

.

Philipa woke up slowly, as if descending from a cloud. Flip laughed at her silliness, and felt an arm pull her in to a warm body.

‘Simon!’ she thought to herself, and in a rush everything came back to her. Flip looked down at the beautiful diamond ring on her finger, and had to stop from pinching herself to make sure this was no dream.

The previous night Simon had played her lady’s maid by disrobing her. Flip still reeled from his tenderness when he put her into bed, by how worried he was over her comfort. Flip felt his arm pull her in even closer, his arm squeezed about her a little tighter. The baby within her decided to give Simon a good morning kick, which had him sitting up in seconds. Flip rolled over, and saw Simon look at her with panic in his face.

“Are you all right? Did I hurt you?” Flip smiled, and was deeply touched by his worry.

“No Simon, the babe simply woke up and is saying good morning. Come here,” Flip said and pulled his hand to her stomach again. A look of amazement came over Simon’s face.

“I don’t think I will ever get used to this.” Flip gave a little laugh,

“In a few months you will not have much of a choice.” Simon gave her a confused look,

“Babies kick, punch, and every sort of acrobat stunt only it gets worse when they are born.” Simon gave her a look of panic, and she couldn’t help but smile. “Simon you are going to be a great father, of that I have no doubt.”

“I wish I could say the same,” Simon mumbled. Simon wanted his child to have nothing but love in their lives, and his family was never good at showing love to one another. That is why he was close with the Turner family, they always showed affection to one another. Simon had wanted that life, and when he was a child he had sworn that he wouldn’t treat his children like his parents did. Simon wouldn’t be cold and inattentive, but now that it was happening he did not know if he would be the father he always dreamed he would be.

“Simon trust me, I know you will be an amazing father,” Flip said looking into his eyes. Flip looked so beautiful this morning, and her trust in his abilities humbled him.

“Flip I hope that I can be the father you believe I am capable of being,”

“I know you will,” Flip smiled and leaned in for a kiss.

.

“Oh no!” Flip thought bewildered as she saw Jack coming into the room. Simon had said he left over an hour ago. Flip kept her head downcast and averted from Jack. Flip prayed that he would go in the opposite direction, her prayers were cast aside when she heard,

“Flip!” Jack had spotted her, oh what should she do now. Flip had to sit at the table, so her brother couldn’t see her pregnant state. Flip lifted her head, tried to make her face one of surprise as her brother sat down opposite her.

“Jack what on earth are you doing here?!”

“Philipa what are you doing here? You are not here alone are you?” Flip gasped aloud and wondered what lie she would tell him.

“Of course I am not here alone, I am not an idiot.” She said trying to sound indignant.

“Please tell me you brought someone other than your maid with you,” Jack said exasperated.

“Jack you are starting to insult me,” Flip said, hoping that her vagueness would be able to go unnoticed. Jack gave her a long hard look, and moved past it.

“Where are you headed? And does father know?” Flip paused at the question, and tried to come up with something to say. Flip was so lost in her musings that she didn’t see Simon enter the inn, and walked toward her. Flip looked up and saw a scowl on his face, and she just had time to panic before Jack turned around. Simon’s expression showed shock for a brief moment before he gave a smile.

“Turner what are you still doing here?” Jack looked at him with a scowl and replied,

“I could ask you the same.”

“I’ve had trouble acquiring horses for my trip,” Simon lied to his best friend easily. Simon’s mind was in a whirl. Simon walked into to see Philipa engaged with a man, he was quite furious, until he saw who that man was.

“I have too; apparently no decent horses are to be found in this area.” Jack pulled out his time piece, looked at the time and smiled. “However, they should be ready, Simon I will see you soon no doubt, Flip?” Jack asked, and stood up.

“What?” Jack smiled,

“I will be seeing you soon?”

“Of course Jack, have a good trip,” Flip replied. Before Simon could even make a protest Jack leaned down and gave his sister a hug goodbye. Jack pulled up just as fast, and frowned. Jack pulled her chair out, and he let out a foul curse. Flip shot Simon a look of horror, and Simon winced at what was going to follow.

“What the bloody hell is going on? Who is the father? Sheffield?” Jack asked as he walked around to stare Flip in the eye.

“It is isn’t? I will kill the bloody bastard.” Flip’s mouth opened, but no words came out. Simon could stand her suffering no longer.

“I have that honor,” Simon said proudly. Jack swung around to face him, and with a murderous look in his eye he punched him square in the jaw.

“Jack no!” Flip screamed in horror. Simon had staggered back from the punch, but didn’t fall. Simon deflected his next punch. Simon didn’t want to hurt his friend, but he sure as hell didn’t want to get hurt either.

“Jack stop it,” Flip said and grabbed ahold of her brother. Jack shook her off of him, and she stumbled and cried out in shock. Simon saw red, he had no plans to hit his friend until he saw him hurt Flip. Simon let out a roar, and landed a blow against Jack’s chin. Jack staggered back, and Simon pressed his advantage. Simon landed a left hook, followed by a right jab. Jack fell, and Simon landed on top of him pounding into him unmercifully.

“Simon stop! Stop it this instant!”

“He hurt you; I will kill him for that.” Simon said in between punches.

“Oh no, Ow!” Simon heard Flip say, and in an instant he was off of Jack and next to Flip.

“What is it? Did Jack hurt you that badly?”

“No it’s the baby,” Flip cried out again.

“I’ll kill him,” Simon replied

“No don’t leave me Simon,” Flip said and reached for his arm. Simon wrapped his arms around her and moved her slowly to the chair.

Jack slowly rose from the floor, despite being covered in blood he rasped out “Are you okay Sis?”

“Are you ok Jack?” Flip asked him before she answered.

“The bloody bastard broke my nose!” Jack almost shouted.

“For God’s sake,” Simon muttered and turned to his friend and without warning set the bone back into place. “There good as new.” Simon immediately went back to her side once the blood started to slow.

“Are you satisfied now Jack?” Flip asked still clutching her middle.

“Hell no! He-“

“Ouch, oh I’m in horrible pain,” Flip said cutting him off. Simon gave Jack a glare before squatting down next to her and stroking her hair in attempt to sooth her.

“All right damn it I’m satisfied,” Jack stated unhappily.

“Sweetheart we need to get you to a doctor,” Simon said soothingly.

“No need I am feeling much better. However, I need to go relieve myself so I will be right back,” Flip said and walked to the necessary. “No fighting,” she said over her shoulder. Simon couldn’t help it, he started laughing.

“What’s so damned funny?”

“Flipana, she is a clever one,” Simon replied still chuckling. Jack seemed to realize that his sister pulled a fast one on the both of them, but didn’t comment on it. Jack immediately went to verbally attacking him since Philipa wouldn’t allow anything else.

“Son of a b***h, Stoneville I will never forgive you for what you have done.”

“Lay off will you? I already have been hating myself for these past months, I can only be grateful that Flip doesn’t hate me.” Simon stopped and looked into Jack’s murderous glare. “We are on our way to be married, would you like to join us?”

“You’re damn right I will join you.”