The day for traveling to Haldenwood dawned cold and misty. After eating a plain breakfast of tea and toast, Lia supervised the packing of her few necessities, then went to her brother’s room to do the same. Ghita made certain the new sewing kit Lia asked for got into the correct coach, as Lia was going to attempt needlework now that she was expecting a child. Mrs. Steen and Ghita both said it was what ladies did when they were carrying. Lia was just thankful that the things she was about to embroider were napkins to be used on the child’s bottom, and not something seen by anyone other than the babe’s nurse.
More and more, she dreaded the next eight months. She was miserable already and couldn’t imagine feeling so run down while getting larger. If the doctor’s calculations were correct, th
