by Nancy Pirri
"So, you won't help me?"
Harrison sighed. "I'm not saying that at all! We've made our decision, together, as a husband and wife should. And I believe that others should come to their decision in the same manner. It can't just be a woman's decision."
"In some instances it may need to be," she said abruptly.
"A few, perhaps. The important thing is that we educate husbands along with their wives, which I've done over the past several years, on a limited basis."
Brianna's eyes widened. "Truly?"
He came to his feet. "Yes. And I'll inform you not another physician in all of Edinburgh would even consider doing such a heinous thing. I believe in contraception, Brianna. I grew tired of finding more and more homeless children on the streets with no one to care for them."
Brianna stood and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Oh, but this is wonderful." She tilted her head back and grinned.
"One thing more," he said, tapping her nose gently. "I draw the line at aborting fetuses. I will not kill, Brianna. I save lives, not end them."
"I understand and completely agree." She stepped back and said, "When may I begin my education? How long do you think it will be before I'm qualified to teach others?"
He grinned, took her hand and pulled her down the hallway. "We may begin right this moment, wife," he softly replied.
She followed him, running to keep up with his long strides. "Wonderful! But you have no study materials here, have you? And why would we study in the bedroom?"
Pulling her in behind him he shut and locked the bedroom door, then eased her into his arms. Holding her close, he kissed her until she went limp. Then she wound her arms around his neck. He smiled, satisfied with the languid expression on her face.
"We don't need books and manuals. You see this is precisely where all necessary instruction in this delicate matter begins and ends. And since we don't have to worry about pregnancy at the moment with you already breeding, it's the perfect time for me to demonstrate how to not get pregnant."
Brianna frowned. "Without any books?"
"Not one," he said, his grin widening.
Harrison drew his independent American wife into his arms, lowered her to the bed, eager and willing to teach her everything she would ever need to know about the subject.
Much later, as Harrison walked the cliffs, his arms around Brianna, he stilled when she said, "I'd like to go home, Harrison."
He shoved up his spectacles and tried swallowing the lump in his throat. "Home?" he asked with uncertainty. Not America again!
"To Winterhaven."
He narrowed his eyes on her dimpled smile. "You little vixen," he murmured, reaching for her. She had known perfectly well her request would cause him worry. She laughed merrily, and ran back to the cottage. He darted after her.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
The next day they traveled back to Winterhaven. The journey was torturous for Brianna. It was late afternoon when they arrived home. Her body ached from head to toe. The gnawing pain in her stomach was definitely worrisome. She didn't say a word to Harrison, though. There was no sense both of them worrying, at least not until she determined whether she was in early labor or not. She was excited to birth this baby, yet she had an awful feeling, as well. Nearly two months early, the baby, if born now, might not survive.
Harrison set her down on the edge of the bed in one of the guestrooms. "This will do until after you've delivered."
Brianna looked up at him from her position, tears welling in her eyes. Why was he being so cool all of a sudden? They'd laughed and talked the entire trip home. Now it seemed as though he wanted to rid himself of her. "But, don't you want me in your room?"
He stalked to the door, opened it and paused. He stared at her and she knew what was wrong. His words confirmed his expression. "I don't want to take any chances with your health this far along in the pregnancy." He raked his hair back with unsteady fingers, his gaze lingering on hers. "Don't you understand how much I want you with me? I should never have made love to you last evening. This far along, well, anything could happen. We just can't take that chance, Brianna. I'll bring a tray up with your supper."
"Wait!" she called, not willing to end the conversation. He hadn't, though. She laid back on the bed, deep in thought. She smiled as she thought about last evening and their lovemaking. Her smile slipped when she realized how guilty he'd feel if she were in labor.
Night had fallen, and with it came more snow. She slept the afternoon away, and then, true to his word, Harrison had a meal delivered to her room. She ate sparingly of the boiled potatoes and roasted chicken. Setting the tray aside she stared out the window at the falling snowflakes. Her eyes started closing. She lay down on her bed and fell asleep.
She wakened some time later when a sharp pain knifed through her stomach. Her hands encircled her distended abdomen. She sat in the rocker, waiting for another pain. Soon she found she needed to concentrate on her breathing. Babies were unpredictable as to when they decided to arrive. Even though it was early, it was time. She called out, "Harrison! Come quickly!"
As she paced the floor, the sound of pounding feet on the stairs calmed her. She needed Harrison! Oh, my Lord! He was going to be so disappointed they hadn't married yet. The door opened and slammed against the wall just as another pain caused her to groan. There was something wrong! The pains were coming one right after the other. She couldn't lose this baby! This labor was different than with Harry and Jamie. Her pains were coming too fast, and too hard.
Harrison rushed into the room just as she grasped the bedpost.
In two long strides he arrived at her side. He wound his arms around her and held her against him. "Brianna? It's time?"
"Yes!" she whispered harshly, her fingers digging into his shoulders. "You'd better send for Dr. Benson, immediately." She gritted her teeth and clenched her fists against the pain.
"Relax," he said soothingly. He settled her on the bed beside him and ignored her request.
"I'm trying. Oh, Harrison, I'm worried!" Tears flooded her eyes. "It's too soon."
Grandmother Mary stuck her head inside the room. Harry and Jamie's heads appeared below her in the doorway's opening.
Brianna met Mary's surprised look. "Please, call Dr. Benson or I'm afraid this baby will be born on his head."
Grandmother Mary gave Harrison a worried look. "It's rather soon, isn't it?"
Harrison nodded. "It could be. You won't need to call for Dr. Benson. Just fetch my bag, and bring boiling water."
"Certainly! Come boys. Yer mother and uncle will be busy for a bit. We don't want to disturb them. In due time ye'll have a new brother or sister."
With an arm around Brianna's waist Harrison stood and raised her up with him. "Let's walk a bit, shall we?"
She glared up at him as he started guiding her around the room. She clutched her stomach. "You must be joking! Do I look like I'm in any sort of condition to move about? I just want to lie down, Harrison."
"You will, in due time." He frowned. "Didn't your doctor in America tell you to stay on your feet and walk as long as possible? Until you couldn't bear the pain any longer?"
Brianna's eyes widened. "Why, no. He tucked me into bed with instructions to lie still until it was time to push." She frowned. "As I recall I was very feeble at the pushing. I was so exhausted."
"How long were your labors?"
"Only six hours or so, a bit longer with Harry. Oh! And I remember being very sick from the laudanum."
"Laudanum!" he shouted. "What was the man thinking?" Harrison growled. "What sort of doctor was he? And where was Payton through all of this?"
"Why, up north cutting down trees," she said.
"No woman about to deliver a baby should be given drugs, especially not laudanum, unless there was a need for surgery. It's no wonder you couldn't push! You won't have that problem this time."
Another pain overtook her and she paused and breathed in and out slowly, as he directed. Oh, but it was wonderfu
l having Harrison with her, she thought as she commenced pacing the floor. She held onto his shirt and he held her up with a strong arm around her waist.
Grandmother Mary returned with his bag and the boiling water.
Brianna walked for another hour, until she finally collapsed on the bed. He bent to pull her to her feet when she stiffened her arms and leaned back. "I can't take another step, Harrison!" She gasped, curled her knees to her chest and rolled to her side. "Oh, the baby is coming!"
He started unbuttoning her bodice. She grasped his hands and shook her head as heat seeped into her cheeks. She knew she must look as bad as she felt. Even last evening, when he'd made love to her, she'd insisted he extinguish the lamp.
"You will be more comfortable in your night dress. Besides, all these infernal skirts and petticoats you women insist upon wearing only get in the way."
She saw the sense of that so she allowed him to help her out of her layers of clothing and into a soft white gown. Harrison moved to the end of the bed and said, "Lift your knees and spread your legs, sweetheart. I'm going to wash up, then examine you."
She stayed on her side and kept her legs clamped together. "That is precisely how I got into this condition in the first place. Just leave me alone," she groaned.
He moved around the bed, leaned over her and gently stroked her hair off her forehead. "Look at me, Brianna."
She met his gaze and saw the love in his eyes. "Do you trust me? Do you believe I'll not allow any harm to come to you or to our child?"
She stared into his eyes for the longest time before replying, "Yes, of course I do."
"Then let me help you."
She nodded, swiped at her tears and said, "Never again, my lord. This is the last baby I'll be having."
He helped her out of her dress and into a nightgown. She lay down on the bed again and watched him remove his coat and tie, draping them over the back of a chair. He washed his hands and dried them on a cloth. Then he sat down beside her and rolled up the sleeves of his fine linen shirt. His medically-trained gaze roamed her body, assessing her condition.
"You'd better change that fine shirt or it'll be ruined," she warned him.
"This shirt is of no consequence to me. Now be a good girl and allow me to examine you."
A pain came again. Her eyes widened and she groaned, "Oh, I have to push!" She dug her heels into the bedclothes and arched her back, gasping for breath.
"Relax. Breath slow, easy breaths," he encouraged her, rubbing her stomach.
After the pain subsided, she scowled and said, "I'm trying, but it's not easy."
"I know you are. Believe me, Brianna, I'd do anything to be the one in that bed taking that pain for you. I can't believe this is happening." He grinned. "It seems I've waited a lifetime to be a father." He sighed. "Unfortunately, it's too bad we hadn't married first."
She clutched his hand and smiled through the pain. "Oh, but we have, darling. In our hearts and minds, we are legally wed. Now, examine me and let me know if you can see our child." She raised her legs and spread them wide, her gaze focused on his handsome face.
Instead of moving to the foot of the bed he stayed at her side, and leaned over her to press one large palm on her lower stomach. His other hand he moved to her core where he inserted two fingers inside her channel. With the other hand he pressed down on her stomach.
Brianna slammed her eyes shut as another pain came. "My God, that hurts!" she gasped, trying to evade his fingers.
"I'm sorry," he said, easing his fingers from her. "I know it does, but it won't be long now. I felt the baby's head. It's right there, Brianna."
Tears filled her eyes. "It hurts something awful, Harrison! Where is the laudanum?"
He rose and moved to the end of the bed. He took a seat on the ottoman, which placed him in a perfect position to deliver a baby. Brianna only realized now that someone had removed the bed's foot rail.
"You don't need medicine, Brianna. It's time to push with all your might."
Brianna heard his excited tone and smiled through the pains as she pushed twice and her baby slid into the welcoming hands of his father. Cameron Frasier MacAulay, the seventh Laird MacAulay was born, big and healthy and squalling at the top of his lungs.
A euphoric, relieved feeling overwhelmed Brianna. She smiled at the baby Harrison held as he examined him. The she looked in to her husband's white-faced, stunned expression and she laughed outright. Her eyes misted over when he gave her a boyish grin and sat down beside her with the baby cradled in one big hand. Until her dying day, Brianna would always remember the reverent look on his face as he stared at his son. Laying the child across her stomach he returned to the end of the bed and finished tending to her needs.
"He's beautiful, Brianna," he murmured, as he put the afterbirth into a bowl his grandmother had provided.
"He's too young to protest now, but I do believe he'd strongly object to being called beautiful as he grows older."
Harrison's tender smile tugged at her heart. She stilled when he returned to her side and settled his lips on hers. As he moved back, he said, "Thank you, Brianna."
He looked at his son again and Brianna swallowed the lump in her throat. "He's the longest of my sons at birth, I'll give him that, and it appears he may be the heaviest, as well." She frowned. "Which makes me believe that I hadn't lost the baby when I first thought I was pregnant. But I did bleed. I don't understand it at all."
"Sometimes it happens that way," he said softly, his eyes on the baby. "I was large at birth."
The baby squirmed, then screamed and flailed his arms and legs. Harrison quickly handed him to Brianna. "I believe he's searching for something I am not equipped to provide," he said dryly.
Brianna set him to her breast and she blushed at Harrison's overt interest.
"You do that so..."
"So?"
"Efficiently."
She grinned. "I've had a lot of practice, even though it's been well over eight years. You know, Harrison, you amaze me."
He raised his brow. "Do I?"
"Yes. You remained steadfast and self-assured throughout your son's birth. You were a veritable rock throughout the entire process."
He gave her a wry smile. "You wouldn't think that if you knew how many babies I've assisted into the world."
"Yes, but it's quite different when it's your child being born, wouldn't you say?"
"I'll admit to a bit of apprehension, sweet. And if I appeared as strong as a rock, you were as steady as the Cuillin Mountains. Not in size, but in strength of will and heart. I owe you greatly, Brianna, for the rest of my life."
"Yes, I believe you do, my lord." She grinned suggestively. "Most definitely."
"I love you, Brianna MacAulay," he murmured. He lowered his head, ready to take her upturned lips when the door opened. They broke apart just when Harry peeked inside.
"Is he here yet?"
They laughed and Harrison said, "Come meet your new brother."
***
Christmas Day 1889
Winterhaven Manor
Brianna grasped the bedpost as her maid tightened the strings on a lightly boned corset. Once Jeanne tied the bow, Brianna faced the full-length mirror.
"That's tight enough. The dress should fit well, yet allow me enough room to breathe, I think."
Jeanne stepped forward with the wedding gown draped over her arm. She tossed it over Brianna's head. Brianna was lost amidst yards of satin and lace when she heard the door burst open.
"Wesley can't get this blasted stud fastened," said Harrison. "I've tried but my fingers are too large. Could you help...stop!"
Brianna poked her head out of the neckline and met Harrison's scowling face in the mirror. He hadn't tucked his crisp white shirt into his kilt yet. She admired his dark furred chest visible in the shirt's gaping opening.
He moved up behind her, undid Jeanne's work, and tossed the corset to the floor. Brianna took a deep breath and silently admitted to being grateful he'd rem
oved the torture device.
He leveled his eyes on her. "You are still mending, Brianna. No corsets yet, if ever."
Brianna smiled when he pulled her against his chest and stared at their reflection in the mirror. She asked saucily, "How would you like to stay and assist me into the gown?"
He gave a curt nod and turned to her maid. "We won't need you, Jeanne."
Jeanne's face turned pink as she curtsied and left the bedchamber.
Harrison turned to Brianna and guided her arms into the long sleeves. He pulled the dress over her breasts, smoothed it down around her waist and hips then buttoned the first of several tiny satin-covered buttons running down her spine. When he reached her waistline he paused.
"Ah, I see why you needed the stays," he said. "Let's get you into it, again, although I hate the damned things."
When he finished he stepped back and looked at her in the mirror. Brianna stared at her reflection, dismayed to find the front of the dress was tight across her bosom and the waistline snug, even with the stays.
She shook her head. "This won't do, Harrison. And it's such a lovely gown," she wailed. "You must lace me up tighter."
"You look beautiful, sweetheart," he murmured, then lowered his head and nibbled on one earlobe. "I am enamored of your curves, wife," he murmured.
"It was a wise idea you had, getting married here at Winterhaven. Still, I'll be so embarrassed I won't be able to take a step down the stairs, Harrison."
"I'll carry you, sweetheart."
She laughed. "Hardly! As you well know, I'm not a petite woman. I dare say you won't be able to lift even one limb."
He raised his brow. "Are you doubting my masculine prowess?"
She smiled at him sweetly. "I'd never doubt that."
Harrison took her in his arms and drew her tight against him. Then he blessed her with a bruising kiss. He raised his head. "I'll leave you to finish your toilette, unless you would like me to stay?"
"No, thank you. But wait. I believe you came looking for assistance. Give me the stud."
He dug into his pocket, pulled out the black pearl fastener.
Brianna fastened it, saying, "Luckily, fashion dictates only one."
