Learning to Love the Spinster

Chapter 12

Simon was fuming, a messenger was waiting for him when he went down to inquire about their horses and food. It was a letter to his solicitor, he had to return to London on matters of extreme importance. He thought about making the trip to his estate and come back, but that would take up too much time. He sat in the carriage with Philipa trying to figure out how to tell her about the change of plans.

“Simon, what is wrong. You have been off all morning.” Simon smiled, even though he showed no outward signs of anger and frustration, Flip seemed to be able to sense it.

“Well sweetheart I’ve been having a hard time trying to tell you something.” Flip gave him a questioning glance. “We have to make a quick stop first, to London.” Philipa’s mouth dropped open,

“But why?”

“I’m really sorry, I’m not happy about it either. This morning I got a missive from my solicitor in London. It simply said there was an urgent matter that required my attention and I should return to London immediately to see to it.” Simon let out a sigh of relief as Flip’s face went from outrage to understanding. This woman really was perfect.

“Simon please tell me we don’t have to go to any balls, or entertain any guests at the house. I really can’t take society and all the questions at the moment.” Flip asked him and Simon couldn’t deny her this one request.

“No we don’t, and if there’s anything you want we will send the maids for it you don’t have to leave the house if you don’t wish.”

“Thank you Simon, I just can’t stand all of the questions, and implications right now.”

The ride to London was long and Flip was silent. Simon could tell she was upset with the situation. He wished more than anything he could send Flip down to the estate, but he couldn’t risk the babe.

.

When the two of them reached the town house Simon’s town house was definitely surprised to see him married and Philipa. His butler was pleased as punch. Homes who has been with his family since he was a baby has always wanted him to marry Flip.

Simon quickly got his wife fed and settled into his bedchamber. He laid down with her until she fell asleep. Simon then eased out of bed and exited the room. It was only mid afternoon so Simon thought it was best to get to work so he could get out of this God forsaken town as quick as possible.

.

Simon was in London for less than twenty four hours and was ready to tear some one’s head off. The meeting with his solicitors was even worse than he imagined. The stealing, looting, and burning had gotten worse, so Simon decided it was time to talk about Jack about hiring some Runners to get rid of them. Jack thought it was an excellent idea, and went to see about finding the right man to hire, but not before he informed him about the ball in his and Philipa’s honor.

He went straight to his mother’s house and demand what the hell was going on. She had told him there was already a scandal, and that this was the best way to head it off. Even though he knew she was right, he was still fuming. He promised Philipa that she wouldn’t have to attend any balls while they were in town. He now had to return to their townhouse and tell her she had to attend the ball. He knew things would be bad, she was seven months pregnant for God sakes. The old matrons would have a field day, and the young misses that had their sights on him will be ruthless.

He took the back way to his house on Mayfair, he didn’t want to meet anyone and have to deal with their opinions of his state of affairs. He put his horse in the stables, and entered the house in the back by the kitchens.

“Simon thank goodness you are home!” Philipa shouted the second he walked into the

parlor.

“What is it? What happened? Should I call for the doctor?” Simon asked rushing to her side. Flip gave him a questioning look before replying,

“No heavens no.”

“Then what is it?” he asked as he sat in the chair next to her.

“The ton is camped out on our front step! There are so many people trying to gain entrance that Eastwick has simply taken upon himself to stand outside and tell people we aren’t home so I’m not to be bothered by all the knocking. They don’t leave when Eastwick turns them away, they simply stroll up and down the street!”

“What?” Simon stood up, lifted up the curtain and saw Eastwick standing outside.

“Bloody hell!” Simon couldn’t believe this! This was just amazing, he had to tell Philipa about the ball because his mother modiste will be arriving within the hour. “Philipa I am really sorry for what I am about to tell, please know this wasn’t my idea.” Flip gave him a questioning look, and he couldn’t bear to say the words. He reached into his waistcoat and pulled out the invitation his mother had given him. Philipa took it from him, and shock registered on her face shortly by horror. She looked up at him,

“Simon how could you! You know how I feel about attending these things.” Simon hung his head in shame.

“I swear on my honor Philipa I had no idea, my mother set this up. Jack told me about it when I was at our meeting and when I went to confront my mother she told me there was no way we could cancel it. The invitations had all been sent and received, hell she even has your gown ready, the modiste will be here soon to get your exact measurements and to try it on.”

“I’m sorry Simon, I should have known you had nothing to do with it, please tell me at least my father and Jack will be there, as well as Lady Kanewood. It will be easier to deflect their probing questions.”

“Yes, I checked the guest list before I left.” Simon was still feeling low for what was occurring when Flip called him over to sit next to him.

“Simon, I am sorry for overreacting, I have been very emotional today.”

“No don’t apologize, I should have taken you to the estate and came back to London alone, but I didn’t want to risking anything happening to you or the baby and not being there. I’d suggest laying down, but there will not be enough time, I did see one of the maids preparing tea so that should be along shortly.”

“Just hold me Simon,” Philipa said as she scooted over closer to him. He opened his arms and was still amazed how well she fit into them.

That is where his mother found them twenty minutes later, the sight drew her up short. The pair were saved by the maid coming in with a tea tray. Flip still had yet to see his mother so was confused as to why the maid brought three cups.

“Hello mother,” Simon as a way of explanation. Startled Flip turned around,

“Good afternoon your grace.”

“Good afternoon your graces, I can’t tell you how excited I am for your party,” Simon’s mother said coming into the room fully. “Now Philipa, let me get a good look at you, I can see pregnancy agrees with you, you look radiant.” Flip smiled and said shyly

“I don’t think your grandchild is completely responsible on that account.” Philipa looked over at Simon and smiled. “Your Grace may I ask your indulgence to pour the tea? I’m so large I’m afraid I will drop something.”

"Of course my dear," His mother said as she went about pouring the tea, when everything was settled she addressed Flip, "Now as soon as you are done with your tea you need to head upstairs as the modistie will be here shortly to finish getting your measurements to finish up your gown by tomorrow." Simon watched as Flip took a sip of fortifying tea before responding.

"Oh good, they are able to get it done that quickly? That's amazing." His mother sat there smugly,

"I have been planning this ball for two weeks, I picked out your dress myself it will be lovely on you, just as I always imagined." That statement brought him up short, he gave a sidelong glance to Flip and could see she was stumped by her comment as well.

"Well I best be going upstairs if the modiste will be here soon, being this far along makes everything take longer," Flip said as she nervously started. She put down her tea cup, and Simon went to go assist her getting out of the settee,

"Do you need assistant at all?" Flip looked at him, and he could tell it was just a rouse to get away from his mother, his mother intimidated many people, and his wife was no exception.

"No I will be fine, enjoy your time with your mother." Despite her assurance, Simon assisted her up the stairs and called for a maid to escort her to her rooms, when he came back down he was blown away by the look on his mothers face; it was wiped clean of its haughty exterior, he hadn't seen this look from his mother since he was probably four years old.

"Oh Simon! I am so happy for your," she gushed and came to hug him. Simon stood there immobile, never remembering a time that his mother had ever hugged him, except maybe when he was a young boy. His mother pulled back,

"I always knew you loved that girl, and I am so glad that you wised up and married her, well I guess you got her pregnant firs then you married her."

"Thank you mother," he said as she stared at him expectantly. Then the butler came in announcing the modiste, and the old Duchess was back, as if that moment of sanity never happened, but it had, it was seared in his heart.

When his mother left Flip asked him.

“What happened Simon? You’ve been different toward your mother ever since I’ve been fitter for a dress?” Philipa asked. Simon still couldn’t believe how well Flip knew him. It was becoming increasingly clear why everyone around him thought they were going to end up together. Simon could see how well they fit together now, he regretted how much he fought it growing up.

“She congratulated me, us.” Simon took a pause. “She was happy for us.”

Philipa’s jaw literally dropped in shock, then she snapped it shut.

“You must be fooling me.” Simon shook his head.

“Not in the slightest. I hate to say it, but I’m actually looking forward to the hall tonight.” Simon told her. Philipa gave him an evil look,

“Well that makes one of us.” Simon couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Philipa apparently didn’t appreciate that too much and turned around and tried to stomp off. However, being far along in her pregnancy it was more of a waddle. Simon thought it was the cutest thing on the world and followed along after her.

“I’m mad at you Simon,” Flip told him with a huff.

“I know, but you are just too adorable,” Simon responded.