Ch 57

Ch 57
“We're so happy that Ian has come back to live here," exclaimed Iris Westwood, as she and Eden sat in the sedan as it steered clear of the bumpy road.
They had decided to spend a day in Worcester to do a little shopping, while their husbands inspected the surrounding woods, apparently delighted by this respite from their daily obligations. 
God knows, Eden mused, Ian needed it Eden smiled at Iris. 
It was nice to have a friend to confide in and share, at last, the joy of this unborn child. 
Of course, no one could replace Selene and Hannah, but Eden had immediately felt affection for Iris.
“I understand that Ian didn't come back very often after university?” Eden asked.
“No, he didn't.” Iris pursed her lips a little. 
Ian and Jasper have known each other since childhood, but when Ivan inherited the title, we only saw him in London, or at Fosse Warren.
“You knew Ivan, right?”
“It's hard not to," replied Iris, looking disapproving. 
As neighbors. I must say, I didn't approve of his way of life.
As Iris had already confessed that she was expecting a child, Eden summoned up all her courage.
“Can I tell you a secret?”
“Secret... to what extent?" asked her friend, smiling.
“Let's just say you can tell your husband, but no one else.”
“Fine, I'll keep my mouth shut. But tell me quickly, I can't wait to know” Iris' eyes sparkled with excitement.
“I'm expecting a baby," Eden admitted breathlessly.
“Oh, how wonderful!”  Iris leaned over to press her friend's hand in hers.
“I must admit I was wondering," she continued.
“I had the impression that your silhouette had changed, since the wedding, and your scent has changed into something so sweet. When are you due?”
“Early December.”
Iris let herself sink back against the bench but straightened up abruptly, her lips rounded with surprise.
“Yes," Eden admitted, blushing, "I'm afraid things have been a bit... rushed.”
“A clandestine romance? Oh, how romantic! I'd never have believed it of Ian, what a little sneak!”
“Oh, please, don't blame him”
Iris smiled indulgently and nodded to reassure Eden.
“I'll face the gossip by the time I can't hide it any longer, I'm afraid, in a very short time," Eden continued. 
“My father doesn't approve of our marriage. He thinks aristocrats are people without morals, which is why we... which is why I had to run away. My mother died years ago, and my sisters left home, too. So I need your help and advice, Iris. I don't know what to expect, and I'd like to do everything I can to be a good mom.”
Deeply moved, Eden swallowed with difficulty.
“You see, I burst into tears at the slightest annoyance. This finally worried Ian, and he called the doctor. But everything was perfectly normal…”
“Oh, my dear, of course I'll help you. I was very lucky. My mother was close to me and my two older sisters had already had children. I had so much to ask for. Do you know something? I think I'm going to have a son and you're going to have a daughter. And in twenty years, we'll be able to marry them off, I hope”
Eden thought that a daughter would indeed be the best. 
Ian would probably be able to love her. Later, they could have a son, who would become heir to the title. 
Yet Eden was a little ashamed of her thoughts. 
Whether it was a girl or a boy, she would love them in the same way. 
That moment of emotion aside, their journey to Worcester was much happier than the one she'd made with Ian when he'd gone to see the bishop. 
Now she was married, and the baby's future was secured.
 As for her relationship with Ian, it was as satisfactory as the situation allowed.
Eden loved him, and Ian was thoughtful and loyal to her.
 In bed, things were more than satisfactory, and Eden had to suppress the blissful smile that came to her lips when she thought of their lovemaking. 
If it hadn't been for her constant concern to hide her feelings from him so as not to embarrass him, Eden couldn't have dreamed of anything better. 
Although, admittedly, he wished she’d been bolder…
Ian seemed to enjoy Eden’s touch; but what if she tried to kiss him the way he did, intimately? 
Wouldn't he take her for a wanton, when, at least, she hoped he wouldn’t?
 Ian was just beginning to forget the way Eden had behaved with Ivan. As for the other areas of their life together, Eden would have liked Ian to invite his friends to the castle, tell her about the estate, and ask for her help.
 When Eden tried to bring up this subject, Ian would evade these questions by telling her about himself, her condition, and her health. 
Eden ended up wondering whether Ian didn't want her to meddle in his affairs, or whether he simply felt she was incapable of helping him. 
Eden would have liked to make herself useful, though, and sometimes she felt a bit lonely. 
At midnight her worries kept her awake and her worst fears came back to haunt her, Eden wondered if Ian was ashamed of her. 
Eden was no beauty, whatever Ian might have told her, had given her no confidence, and Eden didn't know how to behave in society. 
And then, of course, there was her pregnancy... But this was no time to sink into sadness, not with a new friend to keep her company and the prospect of a whole day in Worcester... Eden pulled some fabric samples from her reticule.
“I've chosen the hangings I'd like to use for my apartments," she said, showing Iris the coupons. 
Besides, I need to go to the dressmaker's to have some dresses altered and order some new ones.
“We could also look for items for the nursery," suggested her friend. “Jasper wonders why I need to go shopping since everything Danielle used is still in the attic. But you know how men are, shopping knocks them out.”
“Ian likes it, it seems. He certainly likes buying clothes for me.”
“Of course he does! Especially frivolous outfits, the kind you only wear in your boudoir, I suppose," Iris smiled. 
“Young husbands are like that. But it doesn't last long, and it's up to us to take care of the everyday shopping, I'm afraid.”
And yet, Eden mused, even ordering new sheets for the servants' rooms was fun, when you're in the company of a friend with good taste and an unfailing sense of humor.