Shadows in the Valley

by Elizabeth Haran

  “Jack! Jack!” William called from the top of the stairs. He’d taken Martha straight up to a room when they had arrived at the house. “The baby is coming, and Martha needs assistance.” Martha let out an excruciating scream that they heard downstairs.

  Jack turned to his mother in the living room doorway. “Mother, go and see what you can do.”

  “What?” Sybil said, aghast. “Martha needs a doctor.”

  “We’ve no hope of getting a doctor here on time, Mother, so we’ll have to make do. Now get Marie and Elsa to boil water or whatever needs doing, and you and Clementine go and see what you can do for Martha. There’s nothing William or I can do, is there?”

  “I am going to look after my father,” Clementine said pointedly. “When Ernie brings the salve, I’ll have to apply it.”

  “I’ve assisted a woman giving birth,” Abbey said quickly, remembering one of the neighbouring women on Creek Street having her baby in the middle of a wet night when they couldn’t find a doctor. Abbey had helped another woman who sometimes aided a local midwife. “I’m not claiming to know what to do, exactly, but I do have some idea.”

  “Your help would be appreciated. Thank you, Abbey,” Jack said. “Mother will help you.”

  Sybil gave the servant girls some orders, and then she and Abbey went upstairs.

  ***

  The women had been upstairs for a short while, when Bungaree had a visitor.

  Elsa answered a knock on the front door to find Heath Mason standing on the doorstep. “Good afternoon,” she said.

  “Good afternoon. Is Miss Scottsdale at home?” Heath asked politely with hat in hand.

  “Yes, sir,” Elsa said.

  Jack was in the living room with Clementine and Ralph. He’d been distracted and hadn’t heard a carriage pull up, but he overheard Heath’s request to see Abbey and hurried to the door, dismissing Elsa.

  As the men faced off, Martha’s screams could be heard from upstairs.

  Jack dispensed with formalities. “This is not a good time, Mr. Mason,” he said coldly.

  “Is something wrong? That’s not Miss Scottsdale screaming, is it?” Heath glanced up the stairs.

  Jack was incensed that Heath would think something like that. “Of course not,” he snapped impatiently. “My sister-in-law is having her baby, and Miss Scottsdale is assisting.”

  “Oh, then I have indeed come at a bad time. Can’t you call a doctor?”

  Jack bristled at the criticism. “It’s too late for that. What do you want with Miss Scottsdale?” It was an impertinent question, but he couldn’t help asking it.

  Heath looked taken aback. “I don’t mean to be rude, but is that your business, Mr. Hawker?”

  Jack stiffened. “I think we need to have a discussion,” he said. Martha’s screams rang through the house, so Jack stepped outside and shut the door behind him. “Let’s walk in the garden,” he said.

  Heath hesitated momentarily, but then agreed.

  As they walked down the garden path, towards the blue gum tree, Jack said, “I’m going to be direct, Mr. Mason. Miss Scottsdale is a sweet, innocent girl, and you are, well, best described as quite well-acquainted with women. I’m concerned about her friendship with you.”

  “Well, you needn’t be, but as a courtesy, I will endeavour to put your mind at ease. Miss Scottsdale and I have become friends, that’s all.”

  “Really?” Jack said. “And what do you get out of a friendship with her?” He seriously doubted that Heath could be just friends with a woman.

  “She is a breath of fresh air in my life. She is innocent in a very beguiling way, but she’s also wise in some ways, most likely due to her upbringing and the unfortunate experiences she has endured.”

  “Are you including amongst those experiences what your father put her through?” Jack asked acidly.

  “I suppose I am,” Heath was forced to admit.

  “Not so long ago you were convinced that she had married your father because he was a rich man,” Jack pointed out. “I’ve always wondered what changed your mind. Perhaps you could explain it.”

  “It’s simple. I was wrong, and I soon realised that when I got to know Miss Scottsdale. I can now see what a delightful young woman she is and why my father was drawn to her. I have never been blind to my father’s lecherous ways. Abbey is a very innocent and trusting girl, so my father was able to mislead her. I feel terrible about that.”

  “He did more than mislead her,” Jack said angrily.

  “Yes, he did,” Heath said softly. “Is that the real reason you mistrust me, because you fear I will do the same? I can assure you, I’m nothing like my father.”

  “You have your own reputation with women, Mr. Mason,” Jack stated strongly.

  “I don’t believe my reputation with women is warranted. You know what small towns are like for gossip.”

  Jack was certain that Heath’s reputation was well-deserved. “I won’t argue the point with you. I just don’t want to see Miss Scottsdale hurt again.”

  “In my opinion, you are being overly protective of someone who is merely an employee.”

  “Miss Scottsdale has no family, no one to look out for her,” Jack said defensively. “My mother and I have stepped into that role.”

  “It makes sense that your mother might feel maternal towards her, but are you sure your interest isn’t personal? She is a very attractive young woman.”

  Jack became indignant. “I’m sure you are aware that I’ve been seeing Miss Feeble for nearly a year.”

  “Indeed, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be captivated by another woman, even if you are denying it.”

  Jack flushed. “I can see we are not going to come to an understanding,” he said, barely keeping hold of his temper.

  “If by an understanding you mean that I should keep away from Miss Scottsdale, then no, we are not,” Heath said firmly. “She and I are going to maintain our friendship, and you will just have to get used to it.”

  Jack knew he couldn’t insist that Abbey not see Heath, even though he would have liked to. “Then let me make this crystal clear, Mr. Mason. If you touch her or hurt her in any way, you will have to deal with me. And believe me, I will soon forget I’m a gentleman.” He began walking towards the house, but then stopped and turned. “Miss Scottsdale is busy at the moment, and I don’t know how long it will be before the baby is here, so it might be best if you go back to Martindale Hall.”

  “Very well, but please tell her that I called,” Heath said.

  Jack glared at him, but made no comment before he continued on to the house.

  Heath suspected that Abbey would not learn of his visit.

  ***

  Abbey was flustered, and Sybil was being no help at all. Sybil sat beside the bed where Martha lay, pushing, straining, and sweating profusely, refusing to even look to see if the baby’s head was crowning. As poor Martha screamed in agony, instead of comforting her or encourageing her, Sybil had her head in her hands and her eyes squeezed tightly shut.

  “We will need some scissors to cut the cord,” Abbey said, trying to remember everything that needed to be done. “They must be placed in boiling water before we can use them, though.” When she got no response, Abbey glared at Sybil, who was white with fear. “Are you listening, Mrs. Hawker?” she said crossly. “I need your help.”

  “What if something goes wrong?” Sybil asked. “We’ve never done something like this before.”

  Martha’s eyes widened. “Is something wrong?” she moaned. “Have you ever delivered a baby before?”

  “Yes, and everything is as it should be,” Abbey reassured her. “The baby is on its way. A few more pushes should do it.” She glowered at Sybil, but she was oblivious.

  “What if the cord is around the baby’s neck?” Sybil asked, voicing her own fears.

 
Martha was gripped by another contraction and screamed. Abbey had the feeling it was half in terror.

  “Bear down, Martha,” Abbey said. “Push as hard as you can.” Her own nerves were frazzled, but she dared not show it.

  Gripping the backs of her legs, Martha strained with all her might. Her normally pallid features became crimson with the effort. When the contraction had passed, Martha flopped back on the damp pillows, exhausted and gasping. “Get me a doctor. I need a doctor,” she cried.

  Abbey wiped the perspiration from her face with a wet cloth, something Sybil could have been doing. It was becoming obvious that the older woman had little intention of doing anything that was helpful.

  Sybil was looking at her daughter-in-law as if she were terrified of her at a time when Martha needed comfort and support.

  “I’m afraid we can’t get a doctor, Martha,” Abbey said. “But you are doing brilliantly. The baby will soon be born, and it will be just fine. You’ll see.” She glanced at Sybil. “Mrs. Hawker, could you come with me for a moment?” she asked in a tight voice as she took Sybil by the arm and led her to the door.

  Martha looked alarmed. “Don’t leave me alone,” she cried.

  Abbey forced a smile. “We’ll only be a moment, Martha, I promise,” she reassured her.

  Abbey closed the door once they were out in the hallway and turned on Sybil with her hands on her hips. Sybil appeared to be relieved to be outside the room.

  “Mrs. Hawker, you are frightening Martha when you should be comforting her,” Abbey snapped in a hushed tone.

  “I can’t help it,” Sybil whispered.

  “Well, if you intend to continue this way, it would be best if you stayed out of the room,” Abbey chided. “I can’t deal with your fears and help Martha give birth. I’m afraid myself, but I can’t show it.” She was terrified, but if she acknowledged it out loud, she’d fall apart. “Now at the very least go ensure that the scissors are being boiled.” With these words, Abbey went back into the room and shut the door.

  “Where’s Mrs. Hawker?” Martha asked wearily.

  “She’s got something she needs to attend to,” Abbey said as lightly as she could. For the first time, she noticed she was shaking. “You are doing very well.” She tried to push all of Sybil’s fears from her mind, but it wasn’t easy.

  Martha was gripped by another pain, clasped her legs, and pushed.

  ***

  Sybil was on the landing when Jack saw her from the bottom of the stairs.

  “Mother! Is something wrong?” he asked, worried.

  “No,” Sybil said, trying to regain her composure.

  “Are you sure? Why aren’t you helping Abbey with Martha?”

  “Abbey asked me to stay out of the room,” Sybil admitted.

  “What?” Jack was confused. “Why?” He climbed the stairs.

  Sybil didn’t reply. She was too ashamed.

  “Why, Mother?” Jack persisted when he reached her.

  “I wasn’t any help. In fact, I was making things worse,” Sybil blurted out.

  “How?” Jack asked. He could hear the sounds of Abbey encourageing Martha drifting down the hallway.

  “I was worried and …” Sybil couldn’t go on.

  “Mother, as a young woman who’s never given birth herself, Abbey is probably scared witless, but she’s in there helping Martha. You gave birth to three sons. Now go in there, and do what you can to support her.”

  Sybil knew Jack was right. She was being cowardly and irrational. Abbey was very young to be taking on such a big responsibility on her own. Taking a deep, calming breath, she went back into the room.

  Abbey was surprised to see Sybil again, and not at all pleased, but she concentrated on Martha. Sybil had carried a tray up from the kitchen, on which she’d placed the boiled pair of scissors. She then found some cotton to tie the cord. Taking a deep breath, she went to stand at Martha’s feet and had a look, going quite faint when she saw the baby’s head appearing.

  Abbey nudged Sybil to bring her out of her stupor, while not taking her eyes from Martha’s face. “Push, Martha,” she said. “One more big push, and the baby’s head will be out.”

  Martha lifted herself up and pushed with all her might. Sybil got a damp cloth and wiped the perspiration from her daughter-in-law’s face as Martha strained so hard that the tendons in her neck stood out like cords.

  “You are doing great,” Sybil said proudly.

  Abbey’s face lit up. “The head is out, Martha,” she said excitedly.

  Sybil steadied herself and then had a look, but the sight of blood was nearly her undoing. Abbey whispered for her to take deep breaths in case she fainted.

  Martha sensed that the birth was almost over and pushed even harder when she felt the next contraction. One shoulder popped out, and Abbey took hold of the slippery baby and gave it a little turn, something she remembered being done at the Creek Street birth. The baby’s other shoulder came out, and then the tiny body slipped out. Abbey held onto the baby as it let out a weak cry. She checked its mouth for obstructions, as the little one took its first full breath and cried much louder. It was music to the women’s ears.

  Abbey glanced at Sybil, who was moved to tears. “Cut your grandchild’s cord, Mrs. Hawker,” she said, excitedly.

  Sybil hesitated, her face full of awe as she gazed at the tiny being that had just been born. She had never expected to feel so overwhelmed at the wonder of being witness to a life coming into the world.

  “Is the baby all right?” Martha asked fearfully. “It sounds strong enough.”

  “Yes, it looks perfect,” Abbey reassured her. “I’m no expert, but it looks a healthy weight, even though it’s a bit early.”

  “Do we have a son or a daughter?” Martha asked, her face glowing with joy.

  Abbey turned the baby so Martha could see for herself.

  “A boy,” Martha said, her smile broadening. “I have a son.” Martha would have liked a daughter, but for months William had talked of nothing other than having a son. She was overjoyed at making his dream come true.

  Sybil looked at the baby and Martha, and tears ran down her cheeks.

  “The cord, Mrs. Hawker,” Abbey repeated, and Sybil sprang into action, cutting the cord and tying it.

  Abbey took a towel and wiped the baby, and then wrapped it and placed it in Martha’s arms.

  Tears slid down Martha’s cheeks. She’d never been so completely happy.

  Sybil went to her side. It was the first time she had seen colour in her daughter-in-law’s cheeks. “Motherhood agrees with you, Martha,” she said softly. “You’ve never looked so …” She glanced at Abbey, whose eyes were wide with dread that Sybil would say something inappropriate. “ You’ve never looked so beautiful,” Sybil finished.

  “Thank you,” Martha said, smiling joyfully. “I think this is the happiest day of my life, other than the day I married William.” She thought about the fire at Parrallana. “Despite everything that’s happened today,” she added.

  ***

  Downstairs, Jack had heard the baby cry. He was standing at the bottom of the stairs, smiling, when William galloped up to the front of the house and dismounted.

  Jack opened the front door, and William saw the happy look on his brother’s face.

  “Has Martha had the baby?” William asked, breathlessly. He’d been to check on their home, which was safe, and then had ridden back as hard as he could. He’d been praying that the baby and Martha would be fine.

  “Yes, I heard a healthy cry,” Jack reassured him.

  William took the stairs two at a time, followed by Jack.

  A few minutes later, when Martha was ready to see her husband, Sybil opened the door to find Jack and William pacing on the landing.

  “Come in and meet your son, William,” she said happily.

&nb
sp; William entered the room to see his wife holding their child. “A son,” he said emotionally. “We have a son, Martha.”

  Martha nodded, beaming proudly as William kissed her and looked at his tiny son.

  Abbey stepped outside with Sybil to allow the family some privacy. Jack looked through the open door at the happy scene. He was terribly relieved.

  “Abbey, I don’t know how to thank you for what you’ve done,” Jack said, as Sybil shut the door.

  “It wasn’t much,” Abbey said. “Martha did all the work. She didn’t have an easy time of it.”

  “The poor girl suffered,” Sybil said. “And I was no help at all. I’m terribly sorry, Abbey. Martha would have been in dire trouble without you. You were wonderful.”

  “You came through in the end,” Abbey said. She looked at Jack. “Your mother cut the cord and tied it off.”

  Jack glanced at Sybil, who smiled sheepishly, despite feeling a little proud for her small part.

  “How is Mr. Feeble?” Abbey asked.

  “Clementine applied the salve,” Jack said. “Let’s hope it works, because he is quite ill. I’ve sent Elias to find Dr. Ashbourne. If Mr. Feeble does survive, it’s because of your bravery, Abbey.”

  Abbey was just glad that Clementine’s father was getting the help he needed. “I forgot to tell you something,” she said spontaneously, reaching for Jack’s hand. “When I was with Max earlier today, he stood up and went outside to relieve himself. Isn’t that wonderful?” Smiling, she waited for his reaction, but her smile faded when he looked solemn. Abbey was confused. She had hoped Jack would be overjoyed at the news, but this obviously wasn’t the case.

  CHAPTER 22

  Even though Heath had kept his composure while talking to Jack, he’d been seething inside. He headed straight for his father’s solicitor’s office to vent his frustration. He burst into the room as the man was completing some important paperwork to do with his father’s estate. It was actually quite late, and Edward Martin should have been heading home.

  “Good evening,” Edward said wearily, knowing it would now be futile to try to finish his work. He discreetly closed the file. The contents were confidential, to be viewed only by himself and the beneficiary of Ebenezer Mason’s will—and that was officially not Heath. Fortunately, Edward still had some time before the work needed to be completed.