A few days later, Elizabet was sitting on the veranda with a cup of lavender green tea. She occasionally nibbled on the pastries and sandwiches sitting on the table beside her. She leaned back and put her hand on her stomach. "You little one will be strong, the strongest of us all."
Elizabet watched as her husband sat in the chair next to her setting the newspaper on the table and preparing himself a cup of tea.
"I saw you talking to and holding your belly, do you think you are pregnant?"
"I know I am pregnant with a beautiful baby girl. Call it women's intuition." Elizabet smirked. 'I shall just leave it at women's intuition' she thought to herself.
Gideon raised his brows and observed his wife. She was so confidant but, he didn't want to dampen her mood, "mmm, of course." was all he said.
Elizabet could hear the small clanging of the spoon in the tea cup and she looked over at him and knew he didn't believe her. She found herself slightly irritated, but he would see in time she thought as she touched her stomach.
Gideon looked over at his wife as he brought the tea cup to his lips recalling talk among the household staff that the young woman was a witch. That his wife was a witch! Gideon upon hearing the rumors was furious. He told the staff that he would not accept any gossiping particularly dealing about his wife in such a negative light! They still gossiped, but were careful to keep it far from master's or mistress' ears. Instead he just enjoyed the time beside his wife, his thoughts occasionally falling to the bewitching night. He did fall under her spell and he knew he would forever be bound to her. He chuckled to himself when he thought about it.
***
Later that evening, Gideon looked over at his beautiful and intelligent wife and could believe the things they had said reigniting a fire he thought died put earlier in the day.
"It makes me angry that they say such vile things about you. They call you a witch!"
Elizabet rolled over and put her hand on her husbands forearm, "Their whispers do not bother me. They are saying things they don't understand. Besides, wouldn't you say I bewitched you?" She laughed lightly and used her forearms to support herself and kissed him sweetly on the lips.
He shook his head, "It doesn't bother you?"
"Not one bit, people gossip. It just shows what fools they are. All I know is my love for you and your love for me. What else matters?"
Gideon smiled and stared into the eyes of his beautiful wife. "If it doesn't bother you, then it surely doesnt bother me. Because all that matters is that you are happy."
She smiled and he dropped the subject and it appeared that the rumors and gossiping of Elizabet being a witch did eventually die down.
***
The following May (7 months later) Elizabet was out in the garden pruning her flowers when a carriage was coming down the drive. She looked up and squinted her eyes unable to ascertain who it could possible be. She stood up holding her belly and waddled over to the front porch holding held her belly and her unborn girl child protectively.
An unknown male figure stepped out of the carriage and was met by her husband, Gideon. They appeared to speak a couple words, no doubt greetings she thought. Gideon then ushered for the man to enter the house. By the time Elizabet made her way to the house, the man was already seated in the front parlor and her husband no where to be seen.
Elizabet observed the man, he was very well dressed and had dark hair with his eyes that appeared to be even darker. It was rather hypnotizing and very dangerous she thought. She shook her head to snap out of her own thoughts. "Good Day, I am Mrs. Elizabet Harrisson. Can I get you some tea or something to eat?"
The man smiled. Elizabet couldn't help but feel discomfort from it. "Yes, Mrs. Harrisson, that would be very much appreciated."
As he spoke it sounded polite, but there was something underneath it something laced with venom. She could feel his eyes on her belly and she reactively held her stomach tightly. Elizabet turned and headed out of the parlor. She didn't realize until she was out how heavy the air appeared to be. She almost felt starved for oxygen. She took one last peak at the man before disappearing to the kitchen.
Something felt off. She asked the cook to prepare some tea and cakes for their visitor. Elizabet wasn't ready to head back to the room and instead she used the door frame to support herself.
"Mrs. Harrisson, are you okay?" the cook asked.
"I'm fine. Just need a moment, I didn't expect the second pregnancy to be as difficult as this! I thought compared to the first this would be a cake-walk." Elizabet lied. She didn't dare voice her true concerns.
The cook smiled, "My wife said the same thing. Please let me know if I can get you anything. I'll ask her what worked for her."
Elizabet nodded and closed her eyes. Something was off, but she couldn't put her finger on it. But, she definitely didn't like how he eyed her stomach. Elizabet held both her hands over her stomach and for the first time in a long time she felt helpless.