She didn't like it, but his man followed her as she got out of the hired carriage that had pulled up before Douglas Gordon's home. She did not like it one bit! It felt unnecessary to have a guard following her at all times, but it had been decided among the menfolk that she needed the extra protection. In a way, it was flattering that they thought her life precious enough for such a thing.

Pippa approached the door and gave a light rap upon it, then waited with her hands in front of her, folded into a bit of a hand knot as she sought to gain control of her emotions. That was no easy feat either, for the baby was making it hard for her to stay in a good enough mood. Her eyes dropped and she sighed.

She would still have to talk to Douglas about the baby, and she still had yet to tell Viktre that she was inspecting. She highly doubted he'd marry her, and she didn't want to get married either... but it seemed that was also next on the agenda unless she locked herself away in Dr. Wells' house and lived out her pregnancy there before giving the babe up for adoption.

With a sigh, she knocked again.

Since Mr. Roberts was keeping an eye on Pip, Mr. Friaser was doing the butler job along with being the valet.  He came to the door and opened it.  "Good day, Ma'am.  I am guess yu are 'ere tae see the Earl."  He moved to the side and let her in and gave Mr. Roberts a nod of his head letting his friend know that she was safe inside.

" 'e's at the painting in the main room, ma'am.  Just come this way."  He led the way.  At the doorway, Douglas could be seen with a large canvas that he was working on of Tristan.  He had nearly got it done but had a few details still to get touched on.  Currently, Douglas was not wearing a jacket nor vest.  He just had on a loose white (well not totally white thanks to painting splashes there and here) shirt that hang down around his thighs over his tan slacks.  He was also barefooted as he had not expected company.

"Mi'lord, Miss Phillippa to see yu."  Mr. Fraiser stated.

Douglas looked over.  He stood up a bit distracted as his mind was still on the way Tristan's hands were held there on a book.

She nodded to Mister Fraser and said, "Thank you..." as she was escorted into the cottage. Her eyes immediately went to the painting of Tristan as they made their way into the main room.

"I am sorry, my lord, I... I can come back when you aren't busy," she murmured softly.

Douglas waved a hand holding the brush but his eyes were still on the hands trying to figure out what wasn't just right.  Then realizing what it was, he dipped the paintbrush into a different pigment and made a few very delicate flicks of his hand, and then sat back.   A nod showing he was happy about it now.  It was basically done.  He needed to arrange for a frame though, then he could give it to his friend.

He then looked over at the doorway where Pip was standing, and he realized he had heard her talk before and blinked.  "Sorry, I get focused on my work.  This one is for the doctor.  'e 'ired me tae dae 'is portrait awhile back.  It was 'ow we met actually, I think."  He tried to remember, it seemed like a long time ago then.

He looked down at his appearance.  "Um, 'ave a seat, and let me make myself more presentable."  He called out, "Fraiser!"

Fraiser was already back in carrying some socks and shoes and a jacket.  He had known the Earl would need them.  "Thank yu."  Douglas muttered grabbing the socks and putting them on. 

Looking up as he put on the shoes, he was not one on worrying about proper behaviors especially when he was at work painting.  "What can I dae for yu, Miss Danes?"

"I don't know if you can," she said softly after watching him get his socks on. Her eyes were somewhat hooded as she appreciated the fine figure he cut. She liked that he was covered in paint, it was... Oh... She shouldn't even be thinking those thoughts! She couldn't help it though.

She was wringing her hands and she started to pace a little restlessly. "I... am pregnant." She said it in such a low voice that he might not hear.

He had been about to grab his shoes when he heard her words.  He forgot the shoes for the moment and sat back up.  "Yu are?  Are yu sure?"  He paused, then shook his head.  "Of course, yu woold be sure, the doctor knows 'is business, aye?"

He indicated a chair nearby.  "Sit doon, lass."  He wasn't sure what to say about the situation.  He needed to talk to that fisherman, that was for sure. 

"Does that fisherman, ummm Viktre?  Does 'e know yet?"

She nodded jerkily and said, "Yes... I... I know for sure, though Dr. Wells says we will know in a few weeks." Her sigh was heavy. When pointed to the chair, she sat down woodenly. "I haven't told him yet and I would be the one to do it. After all, I am just as much at fault as he is." Although Viktre could have said no, he didn't. She could have walked away, but she didn't.

She looked at Douglas then with resignation in her eyes.

"I'm... tired, my lord." Although they could have gotten passed the formalities by now.

He frowned and sat down in his own chair again.  In his socks, he leaned forward with his elbows on his knees and his hands folded to prop up his chin as he spoke to her.  "We will figure out some of these things yu are dealing with.  But some will be less dealt with."  He glanced at her belly.  "I sent the telegraph tae my lawyer.  'e will be coming 'ere from London as fast as 'e can.  I dinna explain why just tae get 'ere as I dinna want the ones that type it up tae get the details of things."  He explained.

"As tae the protection, that is already in place.  Yu dae need tae visit with the mon soon, though.  Then once we know what 'e will dae, we can get that situation going somewhere safe for yu."  He didn't know what to do if the fisherman wouldn't marry the lass, but he did have an idea that if needed, she could go to his castle back in Scotland till the baby was born and then arrange to adopt the baby to someone.  But he wouldn't suggest that just yet.

She found herself biting her lip a little when he said that and she gave a light nod. "Thank you." Her eyes drifted closed for a moment and she looked about ready to weep. Pippa opened her eyes and the expression turned neutral. She watched him quietly for a long time before she spoke again.

"I don't know what to do anymore. Everything is a mess." She bit into her lip. She didn't seem bothered at all by the fact that his feet had been bare, though a look of admiration did cross her face when she finally looked at the portrait he was working on. "I think Dr. Wells will be quite pleased with your work." It wasn't an attempt to change the subject, but rather, a genuine moment.

He then thought maybe she could use a possible choice rather than dim things.  "Yu know my 'ome is in the 'ighlands of Scotland.  My 'ome is comfortable though not as modern as this place.  There is running water now and hot water, and electric.  Though fire places are much needed with warm blankets and clothing in the winter in the rooms.  If yur mon dinna dae the right thing by yu, you are invited tae gae up there tae live as the bairn are coming tae keep it nae known 'ere in the public.  Then yu can decide what tae dae once it is born there.  If yu would like.  The people there are good and 'ard working people, and will take care of yu and protect yu."

He chuckled a bit.  "Yu willlna need a mon tae follow yu there.  The people around see everything and notice strangers quite fast."

When she mentioned the painting, he smiled.  "Thank yu.  It is nearly finished.  I think it is turned oot the way I wanted it tae.  The hand was giving me a wee bit of a fight, but I finally got it looking as it should."  He glanced at the painting himself.  Then he looked at her.

"I remember seeing yur drawings and yu 'ave quite a talent there yurself.  'ave yu been tae a art class at yur school?"