'That was not your bladder emptying, my love, it will your waters breaking. Let me help you out of bed and we can send for assistance.'
'Good heavens, how do you know such a thing?'
'You forget, sweetheart, I've been through this process twice before.' He found the tinderbox and lit several candles before returning to her side. 'Although I will admit, my dear, that on neither occasion was I drenched when it happened.'
That light-hearted comment did much to dispel her fear, but there was no midwife in
residence. There were four weeks to her original due date and the baby was on its way.
Chapter Nineteen
'Alexander, come back— you can't go and fetch Nanny Cooper as you are.'
He glanced down at his nakedness and laughed. 'Very well, where the devil is my bed robe?'
Patiently she directed him to the heap of navy silk he had tossed carelessly to one side when he'd joined her ten minutes ago. 'Hurry up, someone must ride for Dr Jamieson and things have to be prepared downstairs for the delivery.' Isobel tried to control her panic but her voice was decidedly wobbly.
In two strides he was back beside her. 'Darling, the baby won't arrive for several hours, there's no need to worry. Everything will be ready when the time does come.'
'That's all very well for you to say, you're not sitting in a growing puddle feeling as though your insides are falling out.' With hindsight perhaps she should have mentioned the nagging backache she'd had all day.
His expression changed to one of alarm. 'Isobel, have you had any contractions, any pain before this?'
'Only a backache, no contractions at all.'
'Stay where you are, I shall rouse the house. I doubt there will be time to fetch a doctor. We must deliver the baby ourselves.'
She was about to protest when a band of pain gripped her stomach quite taking her breath away. A further gush of water added to her discomfort. She prayed Nanny and Mary had enough experience between them to deliver this baby. He was quite right, far more likely to be one hour, than ten, before the infant made his appearance.
Not wishing to sit in a soaked chair or continue to wear her ruined nightgown she struggled to her feet and walked unsteadily to her closet. She needed something dry to put on. As she was reaching up to remove what she wanted a second contraction almost floored her. Gasping, unable to keep back the moan of pain, she hung onto the edge of the shelves waiting for it to pass.
'My lady, whatever are you doing in here? Here, let me get you into a clean night rail. Nanny is preparing what's necessary whilst the girls strip the bed and get it ready.'
Thankfully Isobel leant back into Mary's willing arms. 'Even Alexander thought my travail would be long— how can the baby be almost here after only two contractions?'
The soiled nightgown was removed and a clean one dropped over her head. 'Sometimes it can be like this— you're one of the lucky ones, my lady.'
Alexander appeared in the doorway his hair standing on end where he'd raked his hands through. 'Isobel, I told you to stay put. Now isn't the time to be wandering all over the place.'
'Go away, Alexander. This isn't the place for a man— you'll be called to see our baby when he arrives in due course.'
His grin was a trifle lopsided, but he nodded. 'First, my love, I shall help you back to bed and then I shall wait next-door.'
Halfway across the carpet she was convulsed again; having his arms around her was a comfort. Her eyes blurred with pain and her body was no longer under her control. The band of agony passed and she could breathe again. Next moment he had picked her up and carried her as if she weighed nothing at all to place her in the centre of the prepared bed.
'I can stay here with you, if you would find it easier.' The chorus of dissent made him step back shaking his head apologetically. 'Very well, but I shall be next door if you change your mind, my dear.'
****
Reluctantly he released his hold, but not before cupping her face and kissing her gently. He hated to see her suffer in this way. Bitterly he recalled the agony involved when his two daughters had been born. He prayed fervently Isobel would not suffer as badly.
Watkins had ridden to fetch Jamieson but the way matters were progressing it was unlikely the doctor would arrive in time for the delivery. The baby was almost four weeks premature, did this mean it would be a sickly child? Was this because of the fall she'd had last month?
He paced the room wincing every time she cried out. This was happening too fast. It could not be safe for baby or mother when things were rushed like this. Where was the damned doctor? He stared at the tall-case clock. It had only been three quarters of an hour since he had been ejected from the bed chamber. It seemed far longer.
An ear splitting yell halted him and he rushed to the door. Nobody was going to keep him away from her, not when she was in such distress. Bursting in without knocking he was rocked back on his heels at what he saw.
A wriggling, red smeared object still attached to Isobel, was resting on her stomach. Ignoring the shocked exclamations of the nanny and housekeeper he surged forward.
'Alexander, you should not be here, but I'm glad you are. See, we have a daughter, isn't she beautiful?'
He took Isobel's sweaty hand and kissed the palm. 'Not as beautiful as her mother. How are you? I heard you scream, I thought things had gone wrong.'
'My lord, it isn't seemly for you to be in here. I must insist you leave at once and allow us to complete the delivery.'
'Please, my love, come back later when everything is clean and tidy.'
He found himself all but bundled from the room. As the door closed firmly behind him he realised he had not looked at his daughter, had been more concerned for his wife than his child. Would his omission have been noticed?
****
Isobel watched him leave with a heavy heart. He had wanted a son and was obviously bitterly disappointed they had a daughter instead for he'd scarcely glanced at her, given her no more attention than a new born kitten.
'Lucinda Rose, that's what I shall call you, little one. I think you're a beautiful little girl, but maybe I'm a trifle biased.'
'Shall I take Lady Lucinda and give her a nice bath, your grace?' Nanny Cooper beamed down at both of them. She could see how lovely the new arrival was even if her papa could not.
'Is she a good size, Nanny? She's almost four weeks early you know.' The baby was gently removed from her arms and wrapped in a warm towel. Mary was still hovering at the end of the bed, her work not quite done.
'Lady Lucinda is a perfect baby, no smaller than many I've delivered that are full term. I should think she will weigh about six pounds or perhaps a little more.'
Isobel flopped back on the pillows whilst Mary dealt with the arrival of the afterbirth. Thankfully this was less painful than producing Lucinda. 'I should dearly like a warm bath, is that allowed so soon after giving birth?'
Mary smiled. 'You must do as you please, my lady. I should think a lovely soak would do you a power of good. I shall arrange for the water to be brought up, then whilst I assist you with your ablutions, the girls can tidy up in here.'
No one referred to the fact that Alexander had burst in when he was not wanted or that he had not admired his new daughter. 'Nanny, when do I get to feed my daughter?'
'As soon as you're both clean and tidy I shall return with your baby, my lady.'
'Mary, I think I had better remove myself to the bathroom before Dr Jamieson arrives. He's a mite old-fashioned and will probably expect me to remain in my bed for the next three weeks. Apart from being a little sore and fatigued I am remarkably well, the experience was not half as bad as I'd been led to believe.'
'That's because it was all over in a flash, next time you might not be so lucky.'
'I wonder why Lucinda arrived three and a half weeks early when she isn't a particularly large baby.'
'You were so big because you carried excessive amounts of fluid, with your next pregnancy everything might be d
ifferent.'
This was the second time Mary had referred to another child, although it was imperative she produced a son eventually, at the moment the thought of another nine months increasing filled her with horror. She was eager to get back to riding every morning. Until Alexander could assure her his attentions would not result in a baby she was going to make him remain in his old chambers.
They had already agreed that during her lying in they would sleep apart. One thing was certain; as soon as they were sharing a bed he would want to make love to her. She had no wish to carry another child for at least a year, but she would not be incapable of refusing him.
Dr Jamieson arrived when she was safely back in her bed with Lucinda suckling contentedly. Alexander had not reappeared even though word had been sent to him that both she and the baby were ready to be visited. Where was he? Why didn't he come?
'My lady, I don't believe there is any need to examine either you or the baby. I can see immediately you're both in excellent health. However, if you'll forgive me, it is better to be safe than sorry and I shall just give you a cursory look over.'
After enduring the indignities of childbirth his examination was as nothing. He declared she was a perfect mother and should be able to produce any amount of children without difficulty. She was getting decidedly tired of being told to reproduce as often as possible. When he left her dawn had broken and the birds were singing as if in celebration of the new arrival.
Nanny had taken the infant to the nursery insisting a new mother must sleep. She had promised to return when Lucinda needed her next feed. Still he didn't come.
The joy of holding her baby for the first time was dimmed by his absence. Eventually she gave in to her worries and asked Ellie to discover where he was. It would be impossible to sleep until she knew.
Fifteen minutes trickled past before her abigail returned. 'My lady, we have searched the house as best we can and can't discover him anywhere. Should we make enquiries in the stable yard?'
'No, Ellie, you get to your bed— no doubt everything will be made clear in the morning.'
Instead of falling into a satisfied slumber Isobel curled up and buried her face in the pillows fighting back her tears. This should have been a wonderful time, a shared experience. Why had he abandoned them now?
****
Alexander stared at the closed door tempted to knock, to insist he be allowed in to hold his baby, but he knew this would be unpopular. Men were not wanted when babies were born. He must find something to occupy his time until his two darlings were ready to receive him.
Taking a candlestick he wandered downstairs and into his study. It would be dawn soon, he would open the shutters and the French doors and stretch out on the day bed and listen to the birds. When the sun came up he would rouse Duncan, get himself shaved and return to Isobel and his daughter.
He should have found himself some clothes before he left. He could hardly be discovered dozing downstairs with nothing on but his bed-robe. All his garments were now installed in the closets at the rear of the house and he couldn't go back there for the moment. Devil take it! However, there were still some items in the guest rooms he'd occupied in the east wing.
Exiting via the doors that lead onto the terrace he headed for the east side of the house. By the time he found a window he could prise up, his feet were sore and he was more than a little irritated. All the rooms were under covers whilst the workmen improved the kitchens, installed bathing rooms, and repaired the roof.
Several times he trod on something sharp and his cursing echoed through the empty building. When he reached his destination he lit several candles before searching the closet. He was delighted to discover all the necessary undergarments, a pair of decent breeches and a shirt. However, the only footwear that had been abandoned here were evening slippers which looked decidedly odd, but were better than continuing with bare feet.
There was still an hour before full light dawn, he would stretch out on his bed and catch up on his missed sleep. There was plenty of time before he could present himself at Isobel's door. As he stretched out his eyes misted. He was the luckiest man in England. Six months ago he had been in despair, now he had a wife and daughter and the rest of his life to look forward to.
The sound of banging and hammering woke him. He jolted awake. Dammit to hell! He'd overslept— Isobel must wonder what had become of him. As he raced back through the house workmen scattered in all directions— buckets were dropped, ladders toppled over but he ignored the chaos. Would the feeble explanation that he'd fallen asleep be enough to make up for his disastrous lack of attention to his new daughter and wife?
****
'There you are, little one, I don't think you could take another morsel even if you tried.' Isobel rested the baby on her shoulder and rubbed her back as Nanny Cooper had shown her. It would seem infants needed to bring up their wind before they could settle back to sleep.
The tall clock in the sitting room struck for the third time since she'd awoken, the time was now seven o'clock. Alexander had been absent for five hours. She could think of no reason for him being away from her side unless he'd ridden off to hide his disappointment at her failure to provide him with his much wanted son. For all his protestations that he would prefer a dozen daughters if it meant she would remain at his side, his absence demonstrated his disappointment.
'Let me take Lady Lucinda for you, your grace. Ellie has brought you up a delicious breakfast.
A nursing mother needs to keep up her strength if she is going to produce sufficient milk for the baby.'
Nanny made her feel like a complete ninny, but then, when it came to taking care of babies Isobel was remarkably ignorant. 'I am sharp set, the tea and toast I had in the middle of the night seem a very long time ago.'
She was halfway through her repast when the sound of running feet alerted her to the imminent arrival of her missing spouse. 'Ellie, can you run down and fetch another tray, his grace will wish to eat with me.'
The chamber door almost flew off its hinges. Her mouth dropped open— never in her life had she expected to see her immaculate husband appear in such a state of dishevelment. 'Alexander, where have you been? Why are you dressed like a scarecrow?'
He skidded to a halt beside her looking round the room like a man demented. 'Sweetheart, I went next door to find something to wear and fell asleep. How can I apologise? Where is my daughter? I owe her an apology also for not greeting her when she was born.'
Whatever explanation she'd expected this had not been it. What he said was quite ridiculous and perfectly understandable. 'My love, you're forgiven. We searched the house last night but I did not think to look next door for you.' She grinned up at him. 'I had also quite forgotten your state of undress and the fact that your garments were unavailable to you. Lucinda Rose is next door in the nursery, it will be quite in order for you to go and see her there.'
She expected him to refuse, to say he would wait until Nanny bought her in again, but he didn't. He blew her a kiss and rushed from the room. She'd been worrying unnecessarily. Everything that had transpired was explained away. She must learn to trust him again, but this was difficult when his behaviour was so unpredictable.
She had almost finished her breakfast when Ellie hurried in with a laden tray, at exactly the same time Alexander returned with their daughter cradled in his arms. 'I could not bear to put her down, my darling, so Nanny gave me her blessing to bring her back to you myself.' He sniffed appreciatively. 'Is that food for me? You’re an angel to think of me after I abandoned you last night.'
The baby was tenderly returned to the crib which was to remain in the bed chamber for the moment. There was a second, identical one, in the nursery for when she was with Nanny.
'There, little Lucy, you're as beautiful as your mother and I already love you almost as much as I do her.'
'She is still tiny, but perfectly healthy so Dr Jamieson told me. He also informed me I would have no difficulty producing a dozen children.'<
br />
He pulled up a chair and examined what was under the cloth. 'I think one baby alternate years for the rest of your productive life will be sufficient, my dear.' He then picked up his cutlery and set to with gusto ignoring her dagger looks.
'Gracious! Do you realise by my reckoning that could mean, let me see, fifteen further children. I can promise you when we reach four or five you'll be banished to the far side of the house once more.'
Pausing between mouthfuls he grinned at her, his eyes sparkling with humour. 'It shan't come to that, sweetheart, did I not promise you I would make enquiries from a friend before I return to your bed?'
She nodded. 'I can't resume physical relations as Dr Jamieson put it, until our baby is six weeks at least. However, Nanny Cooper did let slip that by nursing Lucinda myself it might well prevent me from becoming pregnant. I think she was warning me against breast-feeding rather than encouraging me. Everyone appears to think we are both desperate to produce another baby.'
'I would be perfectly satisfied with just, Lucinda Rose. By the by, I don't remember agreeing to that name.' He raised his eyebrows and she giggled.
'You may choose the names of any boys, my love, but I shall select for any girls.'
He nodded solemnly. 'In which case, my darling, I shall call our first son Horatio Peregrine Everard, and then the second, Peregrine Everard Horatio …'
Spluttering through her mirth she finished his sentence for him. 'And the third no doubt will be, Everard Peregrine Horatio.' Their laughter woke the baby and brought Nanny Cooper clucking into the room.
She sent him away to write letters announcing the safe arrival of their daughter to Aunt Lucy, Uncle Ben and her parents. He also had instructions to send word to London so Mr Bentley was aware he was still in line for the title for the next year or two at least.
The Duke's Reform Page 19
