– My love… Aren't you glad? – Vivian asked in a deep voice and gently stroked her belly. – We are going to have a child and you are not happy about it?
The voice of his wife brought Jeremy out of the fog of his captivating thoughts, and, hastily rising from his chair, he fell on his knees in front of Vivian, took her palms in his hands and kissed them with feeling.
– 'Of course I am glad! It is the most wonderful news I have ever heard in my whole life! – he exclaimed with trembling in his soul. – My love, I am so glad that I am ready to go out into the most crowded street in London and shout that I am going to be a father!
Vivian laughed softly and ruffled her husband's thick and still damp hair with her palm.
– Don't, my dear love, or you'll get wet to the bone," she said, smiling.
– I'm going to be a father… I'm going to be a father! – Jeremy laughed happily and put his hands gently on her belly. – But are you sure about that? How can you know?
– Oh, a woman always feels that two hearts are beating inside her from now on. The blood hasn't come this month, and besides, I'm suddenly sick of the smell of the coffee you like to drink at breakfast," Vivian explained calmly, watching Jeremy's behaviour and the happy smile on his handsome face.
– 'Darling, you should have told me yesterday… I was so angry at you, at your disobedience… I beat your tender palms with a whip! I'm sorry… I'm sorry, my love! – Jeremy kissed his wife's palms again, and his soul was burning with remorse: what if his act had harmed the baby growing in Vivian's belly? – From now on I will sleep in a separate bedroom: I don't want the passion that has suddenly awakened in me to make me forget that you are now in your position.
It was exactly what Mrs. Wington was so desperate to hear. This child had saved her from her spouse, his excessive passion and too hot love. From now on, she would sleep alone and not fear his coming, not be chilled by his touch or disgusted by what he did to her in bed.
"Fine. Before you found out about our child, you used me like the last whore, were cruel to me and kept me quiet with your caresses, if you can call them that, of course. But now you will carry me in your arms and protect me like a fragile and most precious treasure!" – Vivian thought contentedly.