Alice didn't remember much about the next few days. Thoughts of the baby growing inside her kept going through her mind like a robot as she did her work. How was she going to tell Carson? Should she really tell him? What would happen to her family and job?Clara saw that she was distracted. She snuck up on Alice one afternoon while they were changing the sheets in the guest rooms. "All right, spill it. What's wrong with you?"A pillowcase was half-on Alice's hands when she stopped moving. "What do you mean?"Clara put her hands on her hips. Alice, don't act stupid around me. Things have been strange about you for weeks. You look pale, are always tired, and I've heard you throwing up in the morning...Alice's heart beat fast. Was she really that clear? "I... I've been feeling a little under the weather," she said in a shaky voice.Suddenly, Clara's eyes got really big. "Oh my God," she said in a low voice. "You're pregnant, aren't you?"Alice's silence told Clara everything she needed
Margaret took Alice to a small living room that wasn't well lit. Like a storm about to break, the air felt thick and tense. She sat down on a soft couch with her hands twitching nervously in her lap. Her heart was racing like a scared rabbit's.Alice thought Margaret's pace in front of her looked like a tiger stalking its prey. She finally stopped and gave Alice a very sharp look."So, Alice," Margaret asked in a fake-sweet voice, "would you mind telling me what you were doing outside of Carson's room at this time?"Alice took a deep breath and quickly thought of a good reason. "Miss Margaret, I was just going around." Making sure everything was okay before going to bed."Margaret's eyes got very dark. "Really?" And does that usually mean staying outside the bedrooms of the family?"She said, "No, Miss," in a voice that was almost a whisper. "I thought I heard a noise, so I was checking to make sure everything was alright."Margaret leaned in close, and Alice could smell her perfume t
Carson stood in front of the mirror and adjusted his tie. There were only a few hours until the yearly charity gala, and he felt like he was going to pass out from all the pressure.He said to himself, "You can do this," but the words didn't mean anything.Someone knocked on his door, sending him flying. "Come in," he said, trying hard to keep his voice steady.In his suit, his father, Mr. MacPherson, walked into the room and looked very good. What are you ready for, son? The future of our family depends on what happens tonight.Carson nodded, but he could feel the familiar knot of worry in his stomach getting tighter. "Yes, father. I get how important it is."There was a strong grip on his shoulder as Mr. MacPherson tapped him. "Well done, man. Keep in mind that the Thompsons will be there. They need to see that this marriage and your engagement to Margaret are the best things that can happen for both of our families.Carson sat on the edge of his bed with his head in his hands as hi
standing outside Carson's office door made Alice's heart race. It felt like her hand was shaking a little as it got ready to knock. Making an effort to calm down, she took a deep breath. The time had come.The deep voice of Carson called out, "Come in," when she finally got through to knock.When Alice walked into the fancy office, she saw Carson seated right facing her. Along with his clean white shirt and blue tie, he sat behind his big oak desk and looked as good as ever. It was like she forgot how to breathe when his ocean-blue eyes met hers.When he said "Alice," he sounded surprised. "Is everything alright?"There was some doubt in her mind, so she only nodded. He pointed to a soft chair across from his desk and told her to sit down. Thoughts of how different their lives were kept coming to her mind as she sat down. For some reason, she was working as a maid,sitting in an office that probably cost more than everything her family owned put together."What can I do for you?" It wa
Carson looked at the door that was shut for a long time after Alice had left. He was having a hard time processing the shocking news she had just given him. Being pregnant. Alice was going to have his child.He asked himself, "What am I going to do?" as he got up and walked back and forth across his office.There was Alice, who was sweet and pretty. The girl who got his heart without trying. He felt warm inside just thinking about her carrying his child. But he also had to take care of his family, do his job, and marry Margaret as planned.Carson went to the window and looked out at the skyline of London, but he didn't really see it. He thought about what his parents expected from him. He had always known that having the name MacPherson meant taking care of things. But for the first time in his life, he wished he was just a normal guy who could do what made him happy.The sound of a knock on the door woke him up. "Come in," he said as he turned away from the window.Elizabeth MacPhers
Alice was very sick when she woke up the next morning. She wasn't sure at first if it was morning sickness or stress from talking to Carson the day before. She quickly went to the bathroom and realized it was most likely both.Alice brushed her teeth and splashed cold water on her face, then looked at herself in the mirror. She had dark bags under her eyes and looked very pale. She told herself in a whisper, "Get yourself together." "You can do this."Alice kept her hand on her still-flat stomach as she put on her maid's outfit. It was hard to believe that she was having a baby inside her. A life that she and Carson had built together. The thought scared and excited her at the same time.Inside the MacPherson house, Alice found it already very busy when she went downstairs. She did her job as usual and tried to keep her head down, but she couldn't help but feel like everyone was watching her and knew her secret."Alice, there you are," Mrs.Mc Pherson said. "Please help me get the dini
Although it was sunny and bright the next morning, Alice didn't feel like it as she got ready for another day at the MacPherson house. As the head maid, she knew she had to set a good example for the other staff members, but it was getting harder and harder for her to stay calm.After tying her hair back and straightening up, Alice looked in the mirror and saw herself. She told her image, "You can do this." "Just three more days."Going downstairs, she was thinking about all the things she needed to get ready for the day. As head maid, it was her job to make sure the house ran smoothly. That meant keeping an eye on the preparations for a dinner party the MacPhersons were throwing that night.Alice's best friend in the house, Clara, one of the younger maid, smiled and said, "Good morning, Alice." "How are you feeling today?"Alice valued Clara's care. Finding Alice crying in the laundry room a few days ago, she was the only one in the house who knew she was pregnant. After Alice made h
While Alice waited for Carson to go on, her heart was racing. Due to his closeness, the small room seemed even smaller, with his presence filling every corner.Carson said it again while running his hand through his hair. "I've been thinking about what you said." Talking about the baby and us. "Alice, I honestly don't know what to do."Alice's heart sank. Possibly naively, she had thought that Carson would have made up his mind. That he would grab her and tell her he loved her and their baby more than anything else."What do you mean, you don't know?" Alice asked, making an effort to speak clearly.Carson got up and started walking around her small room. "I mean, this is all so hard to understand. The company to think about is looking towards a merger with the business owned by Margaret's family. What my parents expects. Now, there's you and the baby...""And where do we fit into all of this?" There was a hint of anger in Alice's voice as she asked.Carson turned to look at her, and hi