Epilogue

Seven months later....

"Good evening, my lord." Joseph greeted and took his master's cloak and gloves quickly. Leaving him in a royal blue doublet, and black hose. His riding boots clicked on the wooden floor and the mud stained the perfectly clean floor. "I hope your journey was fruitful."

Dominic around his home with content. He was home. He had missed home."It was,"

In his bare hands was a box. It was large containing his latest gift to his wife. Courtesy of himself. Francis' gift was being unpacked, an abundance of new gowns. France gaining a ton of wealth through riches in its colonies Francis had decided to celebrate. And for Jacqueline it meant a ton of new dresses.

Dominic had received a new saddle for Storm who was being taken to his stables, at the moment. The people of France, in England- the commoners, received foods and money. A gift from their sovereign. But Dominic had picked out this particular gift himself and he hoped his wife would like it.

Dominic's travelling party was unpacking his belongings in the background. He had just returned from court, and was eager to be home. Dominic shut the front door and motioned for the footman to lock it.

"Good evening Joseph," Dominic looked around the foyer. It was too quiet. The house was clean, as Jacqueline demanded each day it be cleaned. But apart from that the normal flurry of servants who greeted him from work were not there.

Instead the two men stood side by side in the foyer. The Russian red rug was cleaned and herbed, the scent of lavender wafted around the room. The large windows allowed the night light, the moon, to enter freely. The wooden floor was wiped and shiny with several decorative plants on top.

"Where is the Countess?"

"She has returned from Calais, my lord." Joseph began, trying to lessen the blow."She arrived safely this morn."

Dominic nodded, that was good. He had been worried if his wife would be alright going to Calais to visit her brother, by herself. The roads of France weren't the safest and he was concerned that the highway men or thieves would attempt to take his wife. She had convinced him that she would be alright, through words and other means... But he had been so rugged with passion, he wasn't sure after if it was the best idea.

"But she has collapsed, her body was weak and she was tired, the doctor has been called for, he is upstairs with the countess."

Dominic's eyes widened and he was about to run upstairs when Joseph placed a cold hand on his arm."It will do you no good to do something irrational." Dominic took a deep breath and agreed. He would wait a while. But his body itched to dart up the stairs.

"How are your family?"

"My mother and sister are well. We are grateful for the cottage, 'he' has left town." Dominic nodded and took a glass of wine that Alice, who had swiftly appeared, had offered him. If she knew of his arrival then the rest of the servants would too.

"Where are the rest of the staff?"

"In the kitchen, my lord." Alice answered. Being promoted to head of the maids by Dominic and Jacqueline she knew the location of everyone.

"Have them ready some items for the countess."

"Yes, my lord." She replied and blushing at Joesph who winked at her, full of naughty promises later, and scurried away.

Dominic sipped the warm drink, it made him relax, honey, red wine and cinnamon. A favourite of his after travel, especially for travelling for so long to get to Paris and back in two months. He had no time at court to relax and drink, he had no time to be tipsy.

With Francis going on another public tour of France, his security was of the uttermost importance. Lord Edmund had volunteered, to spare Dominic being away from home longer, to accompany Francis. So all he had to do was draw up the plans, command the men, and then leave.

Francis had subtly demanded it in only the way a king could. The plans that Dominic had executed in the Palace, and the same plan in Paris showed Francis that Dominic's strength was security and safety. He had asked him to plan his tour security and then dismissed him home.

But now he felt as if he hadn't been quick enough. His wife was ill, he didn't know what's wrong with her. Dominic drained the glass and gave it to Joseph who took it quickly. He held it in his hand, the string on his hand was gone from many months ago.

"What happened?" Dominic asked."The ring?"

Joseph shifted uncomfortably, he had broken up with the village girl he was courting after she humiliated Alice in front of the servants. "Maybe you should go see her?"

Dominic took that as his leave. Joseph's calm nature meant he knew his master's mood about ninety percent of the time. If he decided he was calm, he was calm. He walked up the stairs quickly and knocked on the door. The doctor opened the door and told him pertly that he needed to wait before shutting the door.

Dominic sunk onto the floor. He hated feeling helpless and confused! He wanted to barge in but he knew it would irritate Jacqueline so he kept his calm and waited. What was taking the doctor so long?

He got up and began pacing. He had just got back, he wanted to snuggle into bed with his wife or indulge himself in a night of hot passionate sex. Whatever was her choice. He was in the mood for both but his wife was a firm women.

He remembered the first time they had made love and he blushed just thinking about it. It had been on the balcony on Francis' rooftop. They had gone there to kiss but it had ended with them asleep, naked, the night sky their blanket. Francis had caught them, he had laughed it off but Jacqueline had insisted they only have sex in a bed.

He had agreed and now they kept it to bedroom antics. Only every once in a while they headed for Dominic's couch in the far side of the house. But he had come to love her further. Not only for the sex but for the way she treated him afterwards.

She demanded respect and he gave it to her willingly. He also offered her flowers and the large box in his hand would be his greatest gift. He hoped it would be her favourite. Whatever happened to him, she would know he loved her.

"Doctor?" The man shut the bedroom door and allowed it to click in place before facing the anxious husband.

As the doctor worked he could hear the click of the feet of the young lord. He could also hear him swearing madly in French as servants offered him water or food. Of entertainment. Those girls had been dismissed almost instantly, as they came.

People did not understand. He had no time for playthings. The sooner they learnt that, the better for them. He had eyes for only one body. His wife's.

The doctor had been in the room for an hour since he had arrived. He had sat quietly waiting for him to tell him. There had been no screams of pain, or yelling in terror. Instead the door meant Dominic could only hear the soft whispers of the Doctor, and Jacqueline.

The old man searched his face, waiting. He took a deep breath and scribbled a note in his pocket before telling one his most trusted clients what he needed to know.

"The Madame Countess is pregnant, my lord." The doctor declared.

"Congratulations."

He waited for Dominic's reaction. He knew some men did not care for their wives pregnancy, others for their wives but not their children. But he could not miss the grimace of the rich man's lip.

Dominic waited and then tight lipped, dismissed him. He wondered how they both missed it. They had been apart for a short while- two months to be exact, but she had sent no word whilst away of any changes.

Before their departure she had also been the same, until this episode of collapsing, she showed no symptoms of being with child. Her stomach was a little curvier as they lay in bed together.

They had done that since the night of their marriage. Apart from the individual nights when they argued or when there was business to attend to Dominic and Jacqueline always slept together.

They normally slept deeper around each other and their hair would cover each others body parts. Jacqueline's mainly, her long chestnut hair normally covered the pair of them whilst Dominic's blond hair would mix between it.

Until three months ago, that was all they done. But now they explored each other sexually and Dominic didn't expect her to be pregnant so quickly. The doctor wouldn't of told her, it was common for the husband to be given the decision to tell her of her condition and Dominic took a deep breath before he did.

He opened the door and looked in."Jacqueline?"

She lay on the bed, her head facing the window, her back to Dominic and she did not turn around as she spoke to him."What is wrong with me Dominic?"

He shut the door, and placed the box onto the bed beside him, then he sat next to her. She slowly turned around and looked at his shaved face. He cradled her head in him and she lay on top of his chest. Her head facing the ceiling."Before anything." He began."I am sorry Jacqueline, for everything I have done."

"Dominic, you have said and shown you are sorry. It is okay,"

"I know," He searched her eyes. Her stormy pretty blue eyes that matched the blue of her ring that still was on her finger."But I cannot repay you for the kindness you have shown and the hatred I have."

"What news has brought this on?" She chuckled ignoring the uncomfortable feeling in her bodice.

"Some important news," His hands skimmed her swollen breasts, a sign of pregnancy.

She touched his hand and he stroked it before moving downwards. He pressed his hand to her stomach and he dipped lower, his face on her night shift. He lifted it up showing her curved stomach. Her stomach was sticking out slightly and Dominic traced it with his finger tips.

"And now, you carry my babe in your womb. You are pregnant, Jacqueline."

"I am with child?" Dominic nodded and a grin broke out on Jacqueline's face.

She laughed and touched her stomach. Her hand rubbed on her stomach and he placed their hands with their rings onto her stomach. "I- A babe," She took a deep breath and looked at his face."I'm going to be a mother,"

"Yes," He replied and the door knocked as he spoke."One moment."

"Yes?"

"My lord," A servant bobbed with a flurry."Dinner is ready."

"We will take dinner in here. I will require Dermont also."

"Yes, my lord." The servant rushed to complete his order and Dominic returned to the room, leaving the door open.

"You are so lovely," Jacqueline smiled at his compliment and returned it. Dominic continued nuzzling her stomach until she coughed that the servants had arrived."Dermont,"

"Yes, my lord." He did not say anything about the countess' state.

Her stomach was being kissed on by his master. It was the most affectionate he had seen him. He looked at the younger man whose blond hair was partly covering her belly. His red lips kissing her pale stomach. Her dress brushed up to her breasts leaving her stomach and legs naked.

"The countess is with child. I want the uttermost care for her during her pregnancy."

"Yes, my lord."

"And the servants may celebrate. A gift from my wife." Dominic wouldn't of given them any rewards for the fertilisation of her womb but he knew it was something she would do."The wine is from us,"

"Yes, my lord and congratulations."

"Thank you," Jacqueline interjected and she pushed Dominic off her stomach."I wish to eat, I'm starved."

Dermont looked at Dominic as he got up. He picked up one of the plates and brought it to his wife."Do you wish me to feed you?"

She laughed and shrugged. He broke a piece of the cake and brought it to her lips. She opened it and took it before she took the knife off him. She cut it and gave him the same amount."You may leave us Dermont,"

"Yes, my lady." Dermont bowed and left the room.

Finishing their meal they lay together."Dominic," She stroked his hair on his arm.

"Yes, Jacqueline?"

"I grow restless, of waiting."

"I know you do. But now you are pregnant you will have to wait until the babe is born."

"No! I havent ridden in so long." She snapped. This was due to the fact the roads from Calais to Paris were too dangerous and Dominic wouldn't risk her safety on horseback. She had refused to take her horse if she could not ride on it and she had gone without riding to prove her point.

Now she was pregnant she would have to wait until the babe is born. To not risk their safety. Jacqueline personally would of risked it and she stared longingly outside. But she knew how much childbirth deaths meant to him, especially because of his mother, and nodded.

"I love you."

She laughed and then grew quiet as he continued."I love you, very much. You have done so much for me, and for that I'm grateful. I have done so much in the past, but I hope to redeem myself, though you. I wish to kiss our child goodnight, and know that it's mother and father loves it with all their hearts."

"Dominic your parents loved you,"

He shrugged. Wanting to change topic be looked around the room. "I have a gift for you,"

"I do not want it!" She snapped. He always did this.

His temper increased."And why not?"

"Because you are avoiding my question, and you know I hate that." She turned away and Dominic sighed.

He knew he wouldn't win, and he would have to compromise. "If you accept my gift, I'll talk about my parents,"

She smirked and rubbed her stomach. It felt so right to do so, and he got up and brought the box to her. She opened it with glee.

"Oh Dominic, J'adore."

She kissed his cheek and continued looking at the pretty book he had bought her. It was her favourite science journal, but it was written by the man himself. It had a personal message from him, Jacqueline would read it later.

He smiled at her and watched fondly as she began looking at the first chapter. She then closed it and put her hands to her hips."Now, answer,"

"I suppose mother loved me. Even if father didn't. He thought I was a disgrace, and if it wasn't for Francis I would of believed him. If it wasn't for you, I would of become worse. Are you happy wench?"

She played with the tip of his shirt. "Very happy,"

"Good. Now how was Calais?"

"Tomorrow Mon Chere. I have missed you too much,"

"As have I." He kissed her cheek and she snuggled into his open arms. He wrapped it around her, being gentle and avoiding her stomach.

"It is a baby, not a plague Dominic," Her voice mimicked the cold voice of their father's. She brought his hands to her stomach and he began to stroke it.

She began to feel sleepy and closed her eyes. She enjoyed her husband's touch and allowed it to sooth her.

"Goodnight Dominic,"

"Goodnight Jacqueline, sleep well." Dominic's eyes lids began to flutter and he rocked his wife to sleep.

He prayed as he did so. He prayed for protection, and that she would be comfortable during her pregnancy. He knew his mother had suffered, and died. And he didn't know what he would do if the same happened to Jacqueline.

Nothing would happen to her. He would protect her and he would not go to court until she was ready to. It felt weird that someone would call him father. His loins had helped to create the miracle inside of her. And she would give birth to a beautiful bouncing baby.

He would love that child, he would love any child that came from Jacqueline's womb. She was a truly fantastic woman, and he wouldn't stop singing her praises. He loved her, wanted her, his world revolved around her. And his fencing.

He prayed to God finally. That whatever happened, good or bad, the Lord would watch over her. He kissed her cold cheek and finally closed his eyes. Then he went to sleep. He didn't want to. Because life was so much more beautiful than his dreams. He lay next to something more mysterious, more sensual and amazing than the night sky. But he knew he would awaken to another day by her side, to love her.

Dominic fell asleep with his lip pressed to her cheek. Jacqueline softened into her husband, the little babe inside making her not fall asleep straight away. She heard his words, and loved him even more. But she wouldn't tell him that, Dominic would never live it down.

The End

MeepyM: Thanks for reading and getting so far! Hope you liked it and sorry for all the mistakes.