– We got married three months ago, and you're still not pregnant. – Jeremy got up from his desk and approached his wife, who immediately tensed at his proximity. – I want you to have my baby, Vivian. – He lifted the girl's chin with his fingers and looked into her emerald tired eyes. – I want you to bear me at least three children.

– Three, dear? – She was surprised. – One would be enough for me.

– No. We'll have lots of children. I'll be a good father. I'll spend a lot of time with them, teach them riding, fencing and hunting," Jeremy smiled and kissed Vivian's pale lips. – And they won't have a governess. You will look after them yourself. They'll need a mother, not an outsider.

– But, darling, when I carry our baby-" "You must stop doing what you're doing to me!" wanted to say Vivian, but stopped herself in time, and instead said in a serious tone: – 'You'll have to move to another bedroom, because what we do at night could hurt our future little one, or I could even lose him. May we have many children. Or as many as God gives us," she smiled, thinking to herself that she wasn't going to give him more than two children.

– Of course you will. I'm ready to wait, my love. – Jeremy kissed his wife again, and then, pulling back the silk scarf around her neck slightly, he grinned crookedly. – When you get pregnant, I'll be dusting you off and satisfying my carnal desires with another woman. And you won't be able to object to that.

– Oh, my dear, I won't object to it, for it will be better for the baby," Vivian replied calmly. – Let us pray God to give us a child as soon as possible. But now I will take your advice and lie down. – She patted her husband on the cheek and, not hiding a broad smile of joy, went out into the corridor.

When she entered the bedroom, Vivian angrily ripped the cursed scarf from her neck and threw it on the bed. It was the third day she'd worn it, and in this heat it was torture. But the girl couldn't walk around with her neck exposed, as no one was allowed to see what Jeremy's passion and secret dark desires sometimes drove him to.

"Miss Vivian… how sorry I am for you! Oh, if only I could do something for you! – Jane thought whenever she saw Vivian's eyes red with tears. – But she dared not say it aloud, and only watched in silence the frightened ghost into which her dear friend was turning.

***

– Come, Albert, hold the gun as I have just shown you," said Anthony patiently, lifting his nephew's elbow, who was aiming with delight at the straw scarecrow, on whose head his father's old tall hat was worn.

– 'Uncle, do you think Kitty will now lie in bed all her life? – Suddenly, still taking aim, the boy asked.

The question took Anthony by surprise and even caused him heartache. But he shrugged his shoulders, smiled and answered in a determined tone:

– Your sister is recovering quickly. The injury she suffered is, of course, serious and painful, but it is, nevertheless, treatable. The corset she is wearing is helping her spine to fuse, and Dr Norton is confident that in a few months Kitty will be walking again. However, she will have to wear the corset for another two or three years.

– I feel sorry for her. She's so young and she's already hurt so badly," Albert said sadly. – And Mum cries all the time. And Victoria with her. I wish I could run away from this house!

– You don't have to run away, my boy: your family needs you. You and your father are men, which means you're supposed to be less sensitive, but it also gives you more responsibility. You're supposed to support your ladies and wipe their tears: that's our male responsibility," Anthony chuckled good-naturedly. – But now try to knock your hat off. Go on, Albert, you can do it.