But it was entirely possible that she was not with child. That she was only ill or some such, and her courses had suffered because of it. She had never experienced such a thing before, but she was a healthy and hale girl, so she could hardly rule out the possibility. Perhaps there was some sickness particular to Cornwall that she had been unfortunate enough to contract.

Basset would pay for that if it were the case.

But how could she know? Who could tell her?

When should she grow concerned?

Panic rising only in her chest, Adelaide moved at a carefully sedate pace to her writing desk, her diary sitting atop its surface. She flipped several pages, starting in the days leading up to her marriage. She had indicated the days of her courses and her irritation with how such things complicated her life and schedule.

She counted each of the noted days after the fact, taking great care to not miss a single one, no matter how short the entry.

Thirty-three… thirty-four… thirty-five… thirty-six days since her last courses.

She had been married for twenty-six days.

Her courses had never been parted by more than twenty-nine days.

Oh heavens.

She had so many questions, and she would wish for her mother to be in the vicinity for her to call upon and interrogate, only she highly doubted her mother would be particularly forthcoming. She could not, would not, ask her husband, as he would hopefully be more ignorant than she was on the subject.

She shook her head and moved to the bell, ringing for the housekeeper. She had no idea if Mrs. Elsom was a mother, but she had nowhere else to turn.

Adelaide paced the room while she waited for her. Pacing kept her grounded, gave her activity to occupy her mind while nothing else about her seemed to make sense. Motion was preferable, actually. She felt clearheaded and like herself. It was when she stopped that her thoughts turned to her condition, or potential condition, and fear licked at her heels.

She could not stop and indulge in it. She needed answers. Logic. Anything to combat the turmoil of ignorant notions and concerns flooding her mind.

What if she wasn’t with child? What could it mean that she had missed her courses? Could it mean anything? She had never done much thinking about her courses since the day they had made their first appearance when she was aged thirteen. They came with their accompanying annoyances, but one simply adjusted to them and went on with things.

No one spoke of what one did when they stopped.

And what if she was with child? The idea of motherhood was figured into every young woman’s education and training, though the details were unclear, but pregnancy was certainly not discussed, alluded to, or brought up in conversation. At least no conversations Adelaide had been privy to.