Chapter 16

George flinched at the sound of her words and almost fell backwards.

‘What? No, no no. You cannot be! You must be mistaken.’ He announced in a shocked tone.

‘I only wish this was a mistake, it would make the rest of our lives far easier. I am ashamed to tell my family of what I have been up to but they will find out soon enough. I did not want to keep this from you but I also told you because I do not want to go through this alone. I am afraid George.’ Anne opened up to him. She allowed herself to become vulnerable.

‘There is no need to be afraid Anne. Your child will not be born out of wedlock, I can assure you. It is perhaps best if we…wed.’ George stated awkwardly.

Anne rubbed the baby in her womb and took a staggering step backwards. She had not even considered that this would have been George’s reaction. She thought about his unpredictable proposal for a second before almost laughing

‘You cannot be serious? You cannot marry me out of obligation! I know I need to marry soon and have an estate of my own and hopefully even a title. But I cannot accept this, I will cope alone as I always have.’ Anne said awkwardly. She stared at the floor and was about to remove herself from the room.

‘Wait, just a moment. I would never propose marriage to a lady that I did not care for. There is obviously something between us or you would not be in the condition that you find yourself in.’ George suggested.

‘You have just lost your wife! You cannot be thinking of taking another wife. It will be frowned upon by everyone. No, I must leave. I need time to think.’ Anne cried. She dashed out of the room and ran back into her carriage before George could run after her.

A sudden feeling of sickness and excitement rushed through her body like wildfire as she stared out of the carriage window. She could hear nothing but the sound of horse hoofs clashing against the ground as she was trying to think clearly. She thought of nothing but what her life could have been like if she decided to marry George. Would she be the gossip of the town? Anne soon arrived back at the house. She hopped out of the carriage and ran straight into the house. Wilma noticed her entering the house so she ran after her.

‘Anne? What on Earth is the matter?’ Wilma asked as she stopped Anne from darting around the house.

‘I do not know what to do. I think George has just proposed to me.’ Anne said as she let herself flop on the armchair in the living room.

‘What? Are you sure? So you are to be Sheldon’s step mother?’ Wilma cried. Her eyes widened like a zooming camera lens.

‘My gosh! I hadn’t even thought of that! There is no way I can marry into that awful Winchester family! He has only just lost his wife!’ Anne said in a high pitched voice that Wilma had never heard.

‘His wife has died recently and he is already thinking of re marrying? He must really like you Anne, that is all I can say. But I do not think this family will survive another disastrous Winchester and Spenbourne marriage.’ Wilma explained.

Anne thought of it for a second. Walking down the aisle towards George in a fashionable wedding dress, looking her absolute best for him. Perhaps it was possible for them to have a good life together. She knew she cared for him deeply and she knew she was tempted to say yes as soon as he mentioned marriage.

‘He did not ask me out of care, Wilma. He asked me because he felt forced. He is trying to be chivalrous.’ Anne explained. The words tingled on her tongue and had to force their way out.

‘Why would he feel forced? He has no reason to marry so quickly after losing his wife. Maybe you are in shock that he should ask you. Especially not long after my disastrous wedding day.’ Wilma said, breaking a smile halfway through her speech.

‘He felt forced because I am carrying his child. He feels he must do right by me but I am not marrying someone because they pity me and feel trapped.’ Anne finally announced.

‘No…Anne? You cannot be with child surely. Because you have not—’ Wilma said as she raised her eyebrows and let her facial expression finish the sentence.

‘I did little sister, I did. It was a moment of passion between us that I could not resist. It will never happen again. I make one mistake of that nature and I end up in this condition. A child born out of wedlock. I will be shamed forever.’ Anne told her in confidence.

‘It sounds like you have little choice. If you are carrying the new heir to the Winchester fortunes, you must marry him. You could have a good life with him. And you are clearly in love with him or starting to be. Not many get to marry for love. I for one am extremely jealous.’ Wilma smiled as she spoke.

‘When did you start growing up sister? That advice is just what I needed to hear. Nobody else in my life is a trusted ally. I only have you now.’ Anne replied as Wilma laughed.

‘I think the ordeal with Sheldon forced me to grow up quicker. It definitely changed me and I am still distraught but I think it may prepare me for what is to come in the future.’ Wilma explained. Anne gave her a look of deep sympathy.

‘No woman should be tricked into giving her innocence before marriage, it was a wicked thing to do. But I appreciate you keeping my secret. Nobody but us needs to know that I am carrying George’s baby.’ Anne said, finally feeling relieved to have discussed it with someone she trusted.

‘I am grateful for these paper thin walls after all. Care to explain why you are carrying a recent widows baby when you are not betrothed, never mind married!’ Bertha said as she peaked her head around the door frame. Anne and Wilma’s faces turned to shock and disgust. They knew what was to come.