The Viscounts Daughter

"She isn't offended?."

"It would seem not."

He looked at me caringly. "Are you alright in the pool?"

"Actually yes. Meera helped me in and I will want help to get out, but funnily the buoyancy of the water takes some of the strain off my back."

"Good. That means skinny-dipping every morning. I can ogle you."

"And Meera." I reminded him.

"Meera is beautiful, but I love you. She will always be the runner-up to you."

"Whatever you want you have had it already, and look at the state you put me in. You will have to wait now."

"I can do that. When you're ready it will be a marathon, I can tell you."

"Lovely! I am looking forward to it."

Meera finished another lap of the pool and swam to where we were standing. Her broad smile and sparkling eyes alerted us that she was enjoying herself. "I cannot believe it. I am swimming naked and with my best friends who are also naked. For years I have wondered what it would be like, now I know and it was fantastic." Her smile was contagious both Rich and I were grinning in empathy. "Do you do this every day?"

"When we are down here, Rich swims every day. I join him often."

"Marvellous." Meera gushed. "The uptight English swim naked. If I hadn't have seen it, I wouldn't believe it."

"Why? Don't you think us capable of such things." I asked.

"Well no. You're English. You are stuffy, stiff and conventional." Meera declared.

"That's what others say about us, they are just jealous for not being English themselves." The words slipped out of me without thought.

"Well spoken by the daughter of a Viscount." Rich injected, his smile softening his barb. "It was the Victorians who created that idea. However they, particularly the wealthy were hypocrites. In their private life they were what the Americans call swingers. If you look back, our forefathers were quite a lusty lot, and most decidedly not conventional. I mean look at some of our Kings and Queens. Henry the Second, Henry the Eighth, Charles the Second, Edward the Seventh and Edward the Eighth. They all had mistresses and Charles the second was not ashamed of the offspring of those dalliances, giving them titles and lands. At least two of our kings were actually homosexual. The Courts of these monarchs reflected the standards of their master in many ways, so stuffy and conventional is not the words to describe the English."

We were getting cold now and the bravado that had me get nakedly in the pool was cooling. Rich had no inhibitions and pulled himself out of the pool. With that Meera also clambered out and stood without inhibition. Rich reached down to me and helped me out. Mrs. Warren, discreetly as ever, had at some point placed towels and robes on the seat. Rich wrapped a towel around me and then offered one to Meera. She did not show any need to cover herself quickly, and why not? She was absolutely beautiful in a Saree and nude she was even more so, if that was possible. "Meera! You are absolutely gorgeous."

She smiled. "Thank you Andrea. I wish I had a figure like yours though."

Rich slipped on a robe and left us, saying. "I need sustenance and I will make a discreet exit before I am asked for a judgement. A judgement that will get me into trouble whatever I decide. A judgement that even Solomon would shy away from."

"Coward!" I called after him.

The lazy days passed in a cocoon of sybaritic indulgence. My husbands' arms around me at night and days of inspiring conversation, of laughter and good food provided by Mrs. Warren. Rich and Meera would read aloud the script for this series, learning their dialogue and at the same time getting into their characters. They would stop at difficult passages and read through again looking at me to tell them if it had sounded forced or natural. I enjoyed this as sometime I was asked to read the lines of another character. I could not give the words meaning as Rich and Meera did giving me an insight into the skill that actors bring to their parts. However, those days were interrupted when Mr. Lilman phoned. It appeared that he had secured a slot at Elstree studios after another production had folded.

Our idyll was over. Two days later we left. Rich took me back to Broughley and then he and Meera went off to Elstree.

CHAPTER 9 - RICHARD

My stomach was in turmoil as I drove Meera to Elstree; I hoped it wasn't noticeable. The reason for this discomfort? I was the lead actor in this series; something that I had thought I would never be. As Ashley had forecast all those years ago I was the support to an actor or actress who had much greater impact than I. It seemed that I wasn't alone in this turmoil as Meera confided that she felt daunted by this play. When we arrived at Elstree we were welcomed by Ashley with the news that she had been coerced by John Lilman to direct; directing for the first time. Talk about butterflies in the stomach, we had a whole bloody aviary of them.

The set at Elstree was the interior of the police station from where Detective Chief Inspector Grantham and Detective Sergeant Anjala Sharma worked. We shot various scenes of the first script, as usual not in order but according to who was needed for bit parts and what props. The day was disrupted by John Lilman who would make suggestions for positioning and how the dialogue should be delivered. Eventually Ashley lost her rag. "John! You badgered me into directing this series, now let me do it or find yourself another bloody director."

John backed off immediately. "Sorry, Ashley, I thought I was helping."

At the end of the days shooting we gathered in the Bar. I was surprised to see Harry Wheldon. He stood and shook my hand. "Good to see you young Richard. Watched a bit of your shooting. You have presence. The series hangs on you and from what I have seen you will carry it well." We sat down with him and ordered drinks.

"Sorry, I meant to tell you, Richard." Ashley was contrite. "Harry is coming in to play your Chief Constable."

"I almost had to go down my knees before Ashley would let me in. Quite some time that I have been required to do that." He grumbled.

"This day had given me the most horrendous neck ache. Anyone offering to massage me?" Ashley looked at me slyly. I shook my head and smiled.

"Thought so." She muttered.

"Richard. Are you turning Ashley down?" Harry demanded.

Ashley answered him. "Richard has Andrea and is completely in love with her. I suggested to him that Meera and I would keep him company at nights, when we were in India. He very gallantly demurred.."

"I quite liked the idea I thought it would be very interesting. " Meera spoke slowly and the word 'very' was drawn out even more. She looked at me. "Oh Richard. What a time we could have had."

"What the matter with you, Richard." Harry was astounded. "Spoiled for choice perhaps?"

"Definitely not He's chosen Andrea." Ashley came to my aid. She leaned forward and said quietly to me. "I was bloody stupid when I ended with you. Best lover I ever had."

"Thank you, Ashley."

Most productions have problems at some time, this one seemed to have problems all the time. We were pushed for time. It became clear that the slot the Lilman had taken up was limited for time. He had grabbed the slot when another production folded and John had brokered a very good deal. Unfortunately we had the slot for just four weeks and we had to film six episodes of two hours length each. He was pushing Ashley to get this in the can as quickly as possible; Ashley for her first directing opportunity was trying to get the best out of the script and the cast. Eventually we squeezed it in with long days from five a.m. to ten p.m..

Ironically what John had saved on set costs he paid out in overtime to the union members of the crew. Ashley was pissed off as she thought with more time it could have been better. We then went on location. John had rented a building which actually had been a Police Station, the locals were very interested when our scene builders placed the Blue Lamp over the door with some actually asking if the station was being re-opened. We shot lots of footage of my character, Meera's and Harry's going in and out, driving up in our cars or leaving in a hurry with lights and sirens blaring.

We did scenes with dialogue outside the building, enough for all episodes. It seems quite haphazard but the clapper board carried the details for the editor to put the clips together in the right order and for the right episode. Then of course we had the continuity girls who kept very detailed notes of what we were wearing. Also what we were carrying and every detail. Whatever scenes we were shooting and for which episode, they had all the details down to perfection.

We did other location work in Leamington Spa as it had the right blend of architecture. We had the permission of the local council to close some roads temporarily and from the police to drive our police cars with 'two's and blues'. Again having the location we shot scenes for all episodes as well. When that was all in the can we went out into the country as some scenes involved dead bodies in woodland and rivers. It was interesting that not every episode was a murder. This six episode series contained three murders, a kidnapping, a missing girl and a terrible rape. Of course Detective Chief Inspector Grantham and his Detective Sergeant Sharma solve these mysteries.

When the first rough edit of the episode was completed John was in raptures as was the TV channel that had commissioned the series. They started pushing for the initial six episodes to be completed so they could schedule. We were back to Elstree soon where all interior sets could be made and knocked down easily to provide another set. John was putting us through the mangle and many of the crew and cast were becoming unhappy. I was very concerned for Andrea, her time was coming closer and I had promised to be there. I decided to talk to John, telling him that the moment Andrea phoned to say she was contracting pains, I was out of there. "You can't do that, Richard. We have got to get this thing finished.."

"I shall be away two or three days at most."

"I'm sorry, Richard but I can't let you go just for a birth."

Ashley came in at that moment and asked if there was problem. John explained. She didn't back him though. "Well if that happens, John you will be without your main characters and a Director as well. Andrea is Richards' wife and my friend. Meera is her friend as well and none of us will miss this event."

John was angry. "All this for just a baby?"

"Yes John." I retorted. "It's very important. I shall go, sue me if you wish but I will never forgive myself if I am not there with Andrea when she gives birth to my child. End of discussion."

How opportune that conversation was as two days later Andrea phoned. "Darling, I am having contractions." That was it. I finished the day and told John I was going. Ashley and Meera looked at each other and wordlessly agreed. We drove back to the hotel so that the two girls could pack and then we were off.

I had booked Andrea into a private clinic in Cheltenham and they had a room for me so that I would be with her at all times. Meera had stayed with us in Broughley, much to the delight of the Viscount so I suggested to Ashley that she could find a bed there as well. "But be warned, Ashley. There is a very randy Viscount around, so lock your bedroom door."

"How old is he?" Ashley enquired.

"Just over seventy, but time hasn't slowed him down."

"Hmm. Interesting."

"How can we get to and fro?" Meera was concerned.

"You can use my car. Ashley will have to drive though, as you haven't got a licence yet."

My welcome from Andrea when I got to the clinic was quite a shock. Having changed into scrubs I walked into her room with the obligatory bouquet of flowers to have Andrea greet me with vituperation. "You bastard. You have done this. You walk in calmly and smiling. Well you have no idea of how much pain I am suffering. You selfish bastard."

To say that I was thunderstruck would be an understatement. The nurse who was attending to Andrea laughed at my expression. "Don't worry, Mr. Carter. Andrea is just working up to the really good stuff. When the contractions come every minute or two and Andrea has to push; then it will be really colourful." She turned to Andrea. "Now come on Andrea, you did this together, so you can't load all the blame on your husband."

I kissed Andrea and sat on the side of her bed. "It doesn't matter, my darling. Call me all the names under the Sun if you wish. I will stay with you all the way."

"I should bloody well think so." My wife retorted, smiling. "I still blame you though. You get that look in your eyes and I just melt."

Ashley and Meera changed into scrubs also, yet being women they took longer as any change of dress for a woman meant hair and make-up as well. It was at that point that they came into the delivery room cheerily saying hello to Andrea. After the obligatory kisses and hugs; there was a gasp as Ashley was recognised by the nurse. "Miss Marne! It is you isn't it?"

Ashley smiled her professional smile which she could switch on at any moment. "Yes, I am surprised you recognised me wearing these shapeless overalls."

"I would recognise you anywhere. I have watched all your films and have most on DVD."

"Well that's most gratifying, but you should know there is another star in the room." The nurse looked dumbfounded and looked at Meera who will become very well known but not yet. "I'll help you out." Ashley offered. "The father of the child is none other than Richard Leigh."

The nurse looked at me and recognition dawned. "Oh my God!" She looked as if she would swoon. "Just wait until I tell the others." She spoke to Andrea. "You will be the most popular mother-to-be in the whole clinic."

I thought I should take control or Andrea would be swamped with nurses. The nurse's name tag said Shirley. "Here's the deal, Shirley. Let's not have a continual foot-stepping in here. Andrea needs to have this child in peace. When our child is born I..." I looked at Ashley and Meera who nodded, "and Miss Marne and Miss Jalali will be happy for you to take pictures; print them and we will sign them personally to you and your colleagues. How does that sound?"

Shirley nodded. "Thank you Mr. Leigh, Miss Marne." She looked sheepishly towards Meera. "I am sorry I don't know of you."

"You wouldn't." Replied Meera with a smile. "Not unless you watch a lot of Indian films."

I made the introductions. "Here is an actress you will hear much about in the future, Meera Jalali."

Having sorted that out Ashley and Meera again hugged Andrea who immediately had another contraction, she grabbed my hand and tried to crush my fingers together. That contraction passed and Ashley and Meera were shuffled out by the overseeing Midwife when the contractions became stronger. I ignored her looks for me to go as well and stayed as I had promised Andrea. Ashley said that they would take up the offer of my car and drive to Broughley coming back the next day. Shirley advised me that I should empty my bladder early on. "This could take quite some time." I took her advice. Shortly after I returned the contractions became regular.

Shirley timed the contractions to her and soothed her as another one hit Andrea.. "Ride it, Andrea, they are getting closer now, won't be long." She was wrong. It took Andrea twelve hours to deliver our son. Andrea was a slim woman and her hips were quite narrow so it was a struggle for her. I stayed with her and as the contractions became almost constant and she had to push I hopped up behind her, my legs either side of her as I supported her with her my chest. Andrea held my forearms and gripped tightly as she pushed. She was perspiring profusely, her hair lank, wet and clinging to her forehead. I had never loved her more.

"Push, Andrea." The Midwife would call; her entreating being echoed by Shirley.

Usually Andrea would gasp angrily. "I am bloody pushing."

"Stop pushing, Andrea, short breaths and take a deep breath when the next contraction comes." I breathed in empathy with her. Andrea grumbled and told me frequently that she never going to let me do 'that' again. Later she would soften her stance to perhaps.

At last our son was born and I was allowed to cut the umbilical cord. Andrea was worn out but needed to know if he was alright. Shirley brought him over. "Ten fingers and ten toes. He's perfect and will be as handsome as his father." She laid the little chap in Andrea's arms. She was transformed from that sweating, swearing virago to a Madonna.

"What shall we call him?" As Andrea was determined not to know the sex of the child we hadn't even thought about names.

"Well he's going to be a Seddon, so he should have a Seddon name. What's your father's name?"

"Benjamin, and there is no way am I going to name our son Benjamin."

"O.k. How about your grandfather?"

"Jeremiah?" Andrea's expression told me everything.

"Ok. Not Jeremiah. His surname is Seddon it has to flow, either a single syllable or three. Tom, for instance, not Thomas that's two syllables. John would work or we could go for a longer name like Christopher." I had no problem with Andrea keeping her family name; after all I had two names Carter and Leigh, so names were not important to me.

I could see Andrea mentally saying the name. "I like Christopher." She said it aloud. "Christopher Seddon." She mused. "Yes, Christopher. Christopher Richard Seddon."

"No way. That's a mouthful." I rebutted that idea. "Too many syllables. Any way why does he have to have a middle name? You don't have one."

"Actually I do, but I never use it."

"Oh! I didn't know that. What is your middle name."

"Dorothy." She whispered in my ear so that the nurse wouldn't hear.

"Hmm. I can understand that."

Andrea came up with another. "What about Ralph, pronounced Rafe."

I ran that through my mind. "Yes, that would work. But where does Ralph come from?"

"He was the first Viscount. And our son will become the next Viscount."

At that moment Christopher cried. Shirley who must have been as tired as we, remarked. "That cry says feed me."

Andrea smiled and opened the front of her gown. She brought the baby to her nipple and his lips locked on as if he had suckled many times before. "Ouch!" Cried Andrea. "He's got some suction there. Wait little one, my milk will come down in a moment."

I shuffled up the bed a little and put my arm around Andrea. "That is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen."

Andrea looked up smiling. "This is how it was meant to be. Charles didn't want me to breast-feed Charlie. He thought it was unnatural. Actually he described it as disgusting. It's wrong to talk about him like this but he seemed scared of women's natural functions. You on the other hand seem to revel in them; I am pleased to say."

Shirley had gone out for a moment so I took the opportunity to kiss Andrea thoroughly. She seemed to like it. "I can't wait until I am ready again."

"Oh you have changed your mind, then." I said lightly.

"That was the pain talking. How will I get through the days if I don't get tupped regularly."

"Hmm. Hmm." We hadn't heard Shirley coming back. "None of that for at least six weeks. We thought you would need stitches, seeing that you are so slightly built, however six weeks is the doctor's opinion." She grinned. "Then you can get it on as much as you like."

"I like." Andrea grinned.

"You have people out here who want to be introduced to your son. So shall we move you to your room, the delivery room seems inappropriate."

I sighed. "Yes do. Let's get the circus started."

Andrea was changed into a clean nightgown, washed and used a little make-up. Christopher having taken his fill for the moment slept in a cot by Andrea's bed. I took the opportunity to wash, shave and change out of the scrubs. I was with Andrea when Ashley, Meera, the Viscount and Charlie entered the room. Charlie threw herself at me crying, "Daddy!" and kissed me on the cheek. "Granpops came to get me out of prison, so that I can meet my little brother."