Giff did not understand. “You mean she told you.”
“No.” Stern took a sip then shook his head. “She has not had her courses since we . . . since we were betrothed.”
Montagu set his glass down. “What do you mean, her courses?”
Stern glanced at Giff, but he had no idea what his brother-in-law meant.
Stern blew out a breath. “Let me start from the beginning. All female mammals have courses. Cows, sheep, goats, cats, dogs, women.”
“What are courses?” Giff asked, feeling like an idiot.
“A woman bleeds. It is a sign she is not pregnant.” He took a large drink of brandy. “Now, other mammals have their courses two or possibly more, in the case of cats, times a year. Women have them every month.”
Giff stared at Stern. “If they are not pregnant.”
“Yes.” He frowned at Giff. “How do you not know this? Didn’t you have a mistress?”
“No. I couldn’t afford one.” Damn his father and the skimpy allowance he was on.
Montagu choked on his wine. “I never had the opportunity.” He motioned with his hand. “Go on. This is becoming interesting.”
“As I said, women, our wives, have their courses every month if they are not pregnant. My wife has not. It has been two months.”
Montagu leaned forward. “How would we know?”
“I cannot believe neither of you are not acquainted with this.” Stern dragged a hand down his face. “Because she would bleed. A lot. You would notice. It lasts roughly five to seven days.”
Giff shook his head. “Alice has not. We have been together almost every day since our betrothal.”
“No.” Montagu fell back against his chair. “Neither has Eleanor. Do you think they know?”
“They must. Or they have a good idea.” Harry took another drink. “It is very possible that the ladies are waiting until they miss their courses for a second time to make sure.”
“Did you have a mistress that fell pregnant?” Montagu asked.
Stern stared at the man in shock. “I did not. I know how to keep that from happening. My father told me.”
Giff wished his father would have told him. It didn’t matter. The important thing was that Alice was probably going to have a baby. “What do we do? Wait until they tell us?”
Stern set down his glass. “That is one way. I prefer to ask her.”
Giff followed suit. “I will ask Alice as well.”
“Yes.” Montagu tossed off the rest of his drink. “I shall approach Eleanor.”
Giff’s and Stern’s eyes met, and they looked at Montagu. He’d never get it done. Giff rose. “I suggest we meet with our wives at one time. I am going up to see if they are still awake.”
“I’ll go with you.” Stern stood. “If they aren’t. Breakfast tomorrow seems like a good time.”
“I am coming as well.” Montagu followed.
The ladies were in their nightgowns and robes in the parlor they had all rented. Their countenances appeared anything but light. Had they been discussing the same thing the gentleman had? Giff went over to Alice. She sat on a chair, and he pulled another one over. “I’m glad you’re still awake.”
She held out her hand to him. “I am as well.”
Stern went to Madeline who appeared rather wane. “My love, is anything wrong?”
Tears filled her eyes. “Not really, but a little.”
Montagu sat next to Eleanor on the sofa. Before he could ask after her health, she said, “Ginger tea will help.”
Giff leaned forward to catch Alice’s eye and mouthed, “What?”
“Ginger tea.” Stern pulled his wife into his arms. “Are you having what is inappropriately called morning sickness?”
One tear slipped down her cheek as she nodded. “At first I did not think I was, but now I am.”
He stroked her dark hair. “Why would you think you are not?”
“I bled a little last month.”
Giff reached for Alice’s hand and squeezed. “We told you that a little bleeding can be normal,” she said. “It only lasted a day.”
“So little I didn’t even notice,” Stern said. “My love, I think we are going to have a baby.”
Alice jumped up and grabbed a large bowl, sticking it under her sister’s face just as she cast up her accounts. She left the bowl to Stern and sat down.
Giff kissed and caressed her hand. “Could it be that you are with child as well, my love?”
