by Aston, Alexa
“I cannot ask—”
“Shush. No more talk of that, Rosina. We are going to walk about the room some. Movement always helps, both in managing your pain and urging the babe to come more quickly.”
Drake helped the young woman to her feet and went to deal with the chicken, wringing its neck and plucking the feathers from it before returning inside the cottage. He retrieved his knife and sliced the bird into parts, making sure it cooked more quickly than if left whole. Faylinn continued talking softly to Rosina, leading her slowly about the cottage, encouraging the girl and, at times, even making Rosina laugh. He admired her way of calming the soon-to-be mother.
“Sir Michael, would you come stay with Rosina a while? I’m going to look around for a few supplies.”
He went and took the girl’s arm. She leaned heavily upon him as he led her back to the pallet and eased her down onto it.
Rosina moaned. “Oh, my foot. It’s cramping.”
He slipped her shoe off and rubbed her foot, stretching it and bending her toes back and forth. The young woman smiled blissfully.
“Oh, that feels so good.”
“Then let me do the same to your other one.”
Drake removed the remaining shoe and rubbed her foot. She sighed—and then moaned. Another birthing pain took her from contented to wailing in the blink of an eye. He took her hand and she gripped it so tightly, he thought she might crush a few bones. Finally, she sighed deeply and lay back.
By now, Faylinn arrived. “I’ve found the blanket you told me you want your babe swaddled in. I have water to cleanse it and I’ve boiled a knife to use to cut the cord. May I look again and see how you’ve progressed?”
Rosina nodded and Drake stepped away, facing the door he’d left open in order to catch some of the breeze and give them better light.
“There. Close your eyes for a few minutes and rest, Rosina.” She placed a wet cloth over the girl’s brow and eyes and rose.
Faylinn joined him and took his arm, guiding him outside the cottage. Worry filled her face.
“What is it?” he asked.
“The babe is in the wrong position,” she explained. “Usually, it drops in the last few days, its head facing downward to travel through the birth canal. The mother’s contractions help it continue its descent. The head will crown and come out and then I help ease one shoulder out and then the other. That causes less harm to both mother and child.”
Drake frowned. “How is Rosina’s babe different from most?”
Faylinn bit her lip. “Instead of the head, I’m seeing the heel of a foot. If a leg comes out, it’s impossible to get the other leg out intact, much less the rest of the babe. It will cost Rosina both her life and that of her child. I will need your help to change this from a breech birth.”
He swallowed, unsure of what he could do to help.
“I’m going to try and turn the babe. It’s the only chance for both of them to survive.” She frowned. “It is horribly painful, though. You must hold her down and keep her as still as possible. You must remain not only physically strong but mentally strong, as well.”
“I will do whatever you ask of me,” he said earnestly.
Her gaze met his. “Thank you.”
They returned just as Rosina cried out again. Drake went to kneel behind her head while Faylinn went to the young woman’s side.
“There’s a bit of a problem, Rosina. Your babe is breech.”
“What does that mean?”
Faylinn calmly explained the situation and Rosina began sobbing. “I lost my husband. I cannot lose our babe, too.”
“I’ll do everything I can to prevent that from happening. I have been at breech births before. We’re going to try a couple of things first to see if they will help your babe come out more easily.”
“Anything, Lady Mary. Just save my babe.”
Faylinn’s eyes met his and Drake realized she hadn’t told Rosina that both of their lives were threatened by the babe’s awkward position.
“I’m going to push on your belly, Rosina. It will hurt. I cannot help that. What I’m trying to do is convince your babe to turn some.”
“Do it,” Rosina cried out as another pain took her.
Drake watched Faylinn manipulate Rosina’s belly, kneading and pushing. He held Rosina by her shoulders, trying to keep her still.
“Is it working?” Rosina asked after some minutes.
“No,” Faylinn said. “Roll onto your side. Sometimes if you change your position, it encourages the babe to do the same.”
He helped her turn and then petted her hair, soaked with sweat. After a few more faint cries, Faylinn shook her head and indicated for him to roll Rosina back.
“We’re losing her,” she said quietly to him as Rosina sobbed. She touched Rosina’s face. “Look at me, Rosina. Look at me.”
The girl quieted.
“You’re growing weak,” Faylinn said. “We must get the babe out soon. I’m going to have to try and turn it myself. This will be quite painful,” she warned.
“Worse than the birthing pains?”
Faylinn nodded. “Sir Michael will hold you in place. You may shout to the heavens if you like. I’m sorry to hurt you but it’s necessary.” She stood and went to a basin and washed her hands.
“Go ahead,” the girl said, her voice faint.
Drake pressed Rosina’s shoulders toward the floor as Faylinn returned and knelt between Rosina’s legs. He watched Faylinn’s brows knit together as she concentrated.
Suddenly, a screech arose from Rosina, like a wounded animal caught in a trap. Drake leaned down, pressing his body against hers to keep her from bucking, knowing Faylinn needed the laboring mother as still as possible. Rosina’s shrieks pierced his soul. He closed his eyes and kept his body against hers, his hands unwavering as he held her to the ground. Another agonizing, soul-breaking sound came from her.
“There. That did it,” Faylinn proclaimed.
Drake rose but kept his hands lightly on Rosina’s shoulders.
“The babe is turned, Rosina. I know it was awful but I see the head crowning. With the next pain, I want you to push as hard as you can.”
Rosina did so, words of encouragement pouring from Faylinn.
“Raise her slightly, Sir Michael. Slip behind her and prop her up some.”
He did as she asked, the sweat pouring from him as it did the two women.
“Another push, Rosina,” Faylinn cried. “The head is out. I need to grasp a shoulder and can help pull.”
“I can’t. I’m too tired,” Rosina mumbled.
“You can,” Faylinn said, determination filling her eyes. “You haven’t come this far to stop. Your babe needs you, Rosina. Now. You are its mother. You will give it life. One more push. One more sacrifice. You can do this. I have faith in you.”
A hoarse cry erupted from Rosina and Drake sensed the tension run through her as she grunted and bore down.
“That’s it. Keep going. Ah . . . he’s here,” Faylinn proclaimed. “You have a boy, Rosina.” She looked to him. “I need you, Sir Michael.”
He eased Rosina back on the ground and came around to Faylinn as she tied and cut the cord between mother and child.
“Help me clean the babe. Sprinkle salt on him first. Good. Now, pour the wine from the cup on him. Yes. Very good.”
Faylinn reached for a large cloth and the basin of water. She splashed handfuls of water over the wriggling child, who had a healthy set of lungs based upon his loud cries. Drake’s heart pounded rapidly as he held on, afraid the slippery babe would fall. She dried the babe thoroughly and lifted him from Drake’s hands. Relief poured through him as she placed the child atop a blanket and swaddled it.
Returning to Rosina, Faylinn put the babe atop his mother’s chest.
“There. Isn’t he precious?” she cooed and Rosina beamed at her son.
Faylinn explained to Rosina how to nurse the child and Drake stepped away. He went to check the chicken and retrieved it,
removing it from the pot so that it could cool. As he did so, he heard Faylinn discuss something called afterbirth and how it would leave Rosina’s body within the next hour.
“Feeding your son usually stimulates the afterbirth’s delivery. Would you like to try?”
The new mother agreed and, within minutes, he heard a smacking and then sucking sound, knowing the babe was now being nourished.
“What will you name your boy?” Faylinn asked.
“Joseph,” Rosina said promptly. “It was his father’s name. Now, I’ll always have a piece of my husband with me.”
Drake thought how Faylinn would soon have part of Lord Amaury in her life again with the birth of her own babe. After having watched what Rosina went through, he had a greater respect for women in general and Faylinn, in particular. She had remained level-headed throughout the birthing process, urging Rosina on and doing almost as much as the mother herself in helping to bring young Joseph into the world.
The thought of Faylinn undergoing birth herself brought chills to Drake. What if her babe was also breech? What if she and the child died?
He must make things right between them before that occurred. He would also promise the Virgin Mary anything She wanted of him if She would help Faylinn safely deliver her child.
Chapter Thirteen
Faylinn refused to leave until Rosina had someone to care for her and Joseph. Drake now headed on horseback to where Rosina’s sister lived, hoping to bring her back to the cottage. That way, he and Faylinn could be on their way again.
The three had eaten the chicken last night and bread which Rosina had prepared earlier in the day before her labor pains came on suddenly. He knew it was fate that they’d ridden by the young woman’s abode when they did. If they hadn’t, Rosina and little Joseph would have perished.
He easily found the group of cottages, based upon Rosina’s directions, and inquired which one might be Velma’s.
“She’s down at the water washing with a few others,” a young girl of about ten told him.
Thanking the child, he rode in the direction indicated.
He climbed from Starlight and led the horse toward the babbling sounds of water and women. He spied three women at the water’s edge scrubbing clothes while a fourth spread clean garments across the rocks to dry.
“Greetings!” he called before he came too close, not wanting to startle the women.
All four quickly glanced up, wary of a stranger in their midst. Immediately, he recognized the one he sought as he approached. She resembled her sister quite a bit, with the same pert nose and coloring.
“Might you be Velma, Rosina’s sister?” Drake asked as he drew near.
“I am,” she said cautiously.
“My name is Sir Michael,” he told the group, keeping with the name Faylinn had provided to Rosina. “I am escorting a nobleman’s widow to her father’s home and we passed Rosina’s cottage yesterday.”
“What of it?” Velma asked, still skeptical.
“She had collapsed in the clearing. Her birthing pains had begun.”
All four women gasped and Velma quickly said, “I must go to her.”
“Rosina and the babe are fine,” he assured her. “She was on her way to come and stay with you when the pains overwhelmed her. Lady Mary, my traveling companion, delivered young Joseph. Both mother and babe are healthy and the babe thrives already, his cries quite lusty.”
The women sighed collectively.
“I am here to ask if you wish to come and stay with Rosina and her babe since Lady Mary and I must be on our way.”
Velma frowned. “No, I need Rosina to come to me. I have little ones myself.”
“She is not well enough to travel by horseback. Might anyone have a cart? I could make her comfortable in its bed and bring her to you.”
The women quickly came up with a plan. Two stayed behind to take care of Velma’s washing and one whose husband owned a cart returned with them to the cluster of cottages. Soon, Drake had Starlight attached to the vehicle and in it were a few crates to place the chickens in, as well as blankets to cushion mother and child. Velma chose to ride back with him while the other woman went to help ready a place for Rosina and the babe.
They arrived at the cottage and he assisted Velma from the cart. She rushed inside while he followed more slowly. By the time he entered, the sisters were in tears and Faylinn looked on with a smile.
He joined her and said, “It’s a happy reunion, thanks to you.”
She shrugged. “I only did what I have done many times before.”
“You saved that girl’s life. And that of her babe.”
Velma rose and came toward them, using her apron to wipe the tears streaming down her cheeks. She grasped Faylinn’s hands.
“My lady, I must thank you for caring for my sister. She told me that little Joseph was breech. I don’t know how you were able to get the babe from her. I have never heard of a breech birth ending happily for either mother or child.”
Faylinn patted the woman’s hand. “My husband owned a large estate. I’ve spent nearly half a score years delivering babes from the keep to the cottages.”
“We owe you a debt that can never be repaid,” Velma said.
“In fact, we owe you,” Faylinn said and looked to him.
Drake withdrew a few coins and gave them to her. Faylinn pressed them into Velma’s hands, telling her they were for the chicken that had been slaughtered for their supper and for allowing her and Sir Michael to stay the night.
“We can’t accept this,” Velma proclaimed. “It’s far too much.”
“Think of it as an investment in Joseph,” Faylinn said quietly, glancing to Rosina, who nursed her babe and gazed at him lovingly. “Rosina shared that her husband was dead. This will give her and the babe something to live on for a while.”
Velma kissed Faylinn’s hands. “You are much too generous, Lady Mary, but we thank you.”
Once the babe finished suckling, Drake caught the chickens and put them into the wagon. He pushed the crates to each side, making room for Rosina and Joseph to lie in the bed. Velma cradled her sister’s head and Faylinn rode in the seat beside him, a bundle of clothing for the mother and babe resting in her lap.
They arrived to a plethora of waiting people, all eager to see the newborn. Word spread immediately of the breech birth and the miracle Lady Mary had wrought and several thanked her for stopping and saving the life of both mother and child. They were invited to share a meal and Drake told her they should partake of it. Another hour would give Starlight a bit more rest before they continued their journey.
Finally, he mounted the horse and drew Faylinn into the saddle before him as a good two dozen people waved goodbye to them. They returned the waves and he cantered away.
They didn’t stop until many hours later. Velma and the others had tied a few cloths filled with food inside them and he and Faylinn would eat from this tonight and tomorrow. Though they camped in the woods once again, this time, Drake built a fire and retrieved enough wood so that they could burn one through the night. Though by his count they were into the second week of April, spring had yet to come to England.
Faylinn arranged the food and they sat near the fire as they ate. The stilted conversation that had haunted them ever since their kiss had ended and he was grateful for that. After their meal, she practiced with her baselard, saying she didn’t want to lose her newfound skills. They bedded down for the night, each close to the fire but on opposite sides of it. As Drake fell asleep, he only wished he could be holding the beautiful mother-to-be in his arms.
*
Faylinn awoke feeling refreshed—and relieved.
Last night, Drake had seemed like himself again. The man she’d begun this journey with had once more returned. They spoke easily and freely and it seemed things had gone back to the way they were before their shared kissed. She decided he had been right all along not to address the issue. Nothing could come of the desire they had for one another.
It was better to put the incident in the past and remain on friendly terms. That would make the rest of their trip enjoyable and she would relish the days she had left with him.
“What is that ahead of us?” she asked, spying a large structure in the distance after riding for most of the day.
“Either an abbey or a convent,” he replied. “We have less than an hour of daylight in which to travel. I think it wise to ask to stay the night there.”
“Is that truly allowed? You mentioned it before.”
He laughed. “Of course. Many travelers stay a night or two at a monastery for a few coins. There won’t be any luxuries but the rooms they provide are clean and the food is plain but hearty.”
“I didn’t know. If we passed any when I was brought to Mallowbourne years ago, I don’t remember seeing them, much less staying inside one.”
“Who brought you to Lord Amaury?”
“My father and Ashcroft, my second oldest brother. Lord Amaury was a great friend of my father from the time they fostered together as boys. He’d lost two wives and Father offered me to become his next one.”
“Lord Amaury was quite a bit older than you,” Drake said.
“He was, six and thirty years beyond my own. It proved difficult at first but then Amaury began to trust me. He said I was born an old soul, despite being only seven and ten when I arrived at Mallowbourne. I had looked after my own father’s keep and helped in many regards on our estate.” She paused. “As a child, I thought if I proved myself indispensable, I would be loved. I was wrong.”
She felt Drake tighten his arm about her protectively and he said, “I am sorry you didn’t have the affection of your father or brothers. You certainly have the love of your people at Mallowbourne, though.”
“The brother we go to, Ashby, did love me very much. We were close in age, whereas Ashland and Ashcroft were years older and kept to themselves. It is why I go to Ashby now. We have stayed in close contact the past decade while I’ve been at Mallowbourne. I long to see him and his new wife.”
“You’ll also have your babe,” Drake reminded her. “A little one to lavish love upon.”
