"It might draw Lady Meredith out of hiding, and it could keep her away from Sabine," Garreth said. "However, I do not like to be away from my wife at this time. The birth of the baby draws near."
"I assume you have her well protected?"
"I do, Your Excellency."
"Then we shall set a trap for Lady Meredith; you, of course, being the bait."
Garreth crossed his long legs and stared at the archbishop. "I agree to your plan. But know this—I shall not tarry in London past two weeks."
William Laud picked up a quill, scribbling notes. "Where will I find you?"
"My London house, Blackthorn Hall."
"Be alert, Your Grace. This woman could be anywhere."
"I'll find her," Garreth vowed. "She has a debt to pay, and she'll pay it."
The archbishop saw the dangerous glint in Garreth's eyes. He would not want to be Lady Meredith if she fell into the duke's hands.
Sabine awoke and stretched her arms over her head, while she watched the first light of dawn reflect off the wall of her bedchamber. She struggled to a sitting position, which was no easy accomplishment. Her stomach was fully rounded, and she felt clumsy and awkward.
After she had breakfasted, she went to the nursery to make certain it was ready. As she ran her hands over the rosewood cradle that had been Garreth's, she tried to think of him as a baby. What had he been like—would her baby look like him?
Ysabel appeared in the doorway, her face flushed with excitement. "Her grace has arrived."
"Garreth's mother!" Sabine dashed down the corridor to her chamber and glanced at her reflection, patting her hair into place. "I had not expected her until next week. I look a sight."
Sabine picked up a lace cap and placed it on her head, hoping to look matronly. "I have wanted to meet her for so long, and now I am nervous. What if she doesn't like me?"
"She has gentle eyes," Ysabel said. "And I could tell that she is also nervous about meeting you. Perchance she is worried that you won't like her. She's waiting in the small salon."
"I'm ready," Sabine said, walking toward the door.
Slowly she descended the staircase, not wanting to take the chance of falling. She paused before the closed door of the salon with her hand on the handle, gathering her courage. Then she entered the room to find Garreth's mother standing near the window.
Sabine took a step, and the movement caught Adrienne Blackthorn's attention. She turned around, and Sabine looked into the kindest eyes she had ever seen.
"Sabine, my dear," the dowager said, rushing forward. "How long I have waited for this day."
Many times Sabine had pictured the dowager duchess in her mind. She had thought of her as tall and imposing, not as the petite woman who now stood before her. Her dark hair was shot with gray, and her eyes were dark like Garreth's, but soft. She smiled sweetly, almost shyly, at Sabine.
"My dear, you are so lovely. I knew that your hair was red, although I have never seen that particular shade before—it's magnificent. Oh, would it not be marvelous if you have a daughter with your hair?"
For some reason, Sabine wanted to cry—her mother-in-law's kindness overwhelmed her.
Adrienne Blackthorn hesitated for only a moment before she enfolded Garreth's wife in her arms. She could feel Sabine relax against her and tightened her arms around her.
"Your Grace, I am so glad to meet you at last."
Adrienne held Sabine away. "Let me get a closer look at you." She touched a red curl. "You cannot guess how happy I am about the baby. I had begun to despair that I would not hold Garreth's child in my arms before I died. And, of course I wanted to know you."
"I feel we already know each other," Sabine said hesitantly. "Your letters were always such a comfort to me, Your Grace."
"No, no—we will have not titles here, Sabine. If you call me Your Grace, I shall have to call you Your Grace, and what a muddle that will be. Can we not be Sabine and Adrienne?"
Sabine drew in a relieved breath. "I would like that, Adrienne."
"Where is that son of mine?" she asked, looking toward the door.
"I'm sorry to tell you that he's in London. Had he known you were coming, I'm sure he would have been here."
"That suits me. This will give us a chance to get to know each other without interference."
Sabine could not help but laugh. "Are you weary from your journey? Would you like to rest?" Then she hesitated. "I should not have asked you that, this is your home."
Adrienne took her hand. "No, my dear. You are now the mistress of Wolfeton Keep. I am but a guest, and that is as it should be. In truth, I have been looking forward to moving into the dowager house across the park. It's quite lovely, much smaller, and easier to manage."
"But—"
Adrienne shook her head. "No argument. I have always wanted to travel, and now I have the time. Would you deny me that pleasure?"
"No, of course not. But you will not leave until the baby is born, will you?"
Adrienne's eyes were shining, and she looked relieved. "Not if you want me with you."
"Oh, yes, please—I would very much like to have you with me. I know so little of giving birth. In truth, I'm sometimes frightened of having this baby alone."
"Then, my dear," Adrienne said, removing her hat and tossing it on a chair, "I shall be happy to stay. Truth to tell, I would have been disappointed if you hadn't asked me. I believe you and I are going to be great friends."
Sabine found Adrienne Blackthorn to be every bit as charming as her letters. So it was that the two Blackthorn women settled down in Wolfeton Keep to await the birth of the baby, and the return of the man they both loved.
* * *
Sabine had been having sharp pains in her back all morning, but had not mentioned it, thinking it would go away. Now it was getting worse as she and Adrienne walked in the garden.
Suddenly Sabine paled and gasped for breath, clutching her stomach.
Adrienne took her hand, clearly worried. "My dear, is it the baby?"
"I believe so." She gritted her teeth. "The pain is .. . intense." Sabine licked her dry lips. "Adrienne, it's too soon. The baby is not due for yet another month."
"Nature has a way of bringing this about. Try not to distress yourself, my dear. It would seem that I perfectly timed my visit."
Adrienne helped Sabine to a bench and then hurried through the kitchen door, calling for assistance to get Sabine to her bedchamber. When she returned to Sabine, she found her doubled over in pain.
Ysabel and Mrs. North entered the garden and the three of them helped Sabine into the house, up the stairs, and into bed. The physician was sent for, but he was away, and it was doubtful he would return in time to deliver Sabine's baby.
Adrienne watched Sabine doze between pains, and she raised troubled eyes to Ysabel. "What shall we do? Should we send for the village midwife?"
"I will attend her grace," Ysabel said with assurance.
The dowager looked doubtful. "Are you capable of delivering a baby?"
"Be not concerned—I know what is to be done."
"Very well. Between the two of us, we will see Sabine though this."
Ysabel touched Sabine's stomach. "She has suffered so much in her life, Your Grace. Would that I could bear this child for her."
"She is dear to you."
"Indeed, Your Grace."
At that moment, Sabine moaned and opened her eyes. She tightly gripped Adrienne's hand until the pain subsided.
"Rest when you can, my dear," Adrienne urged her. "You will need all your strength."
In a haze of anguish, Sabine looked frantically about the room. "Ysabel—1 want Ysabel!"
The old woman came to her. "I am here—all is well."
Sabine sighed and seemed to relax. On into the night she labored. When the first streaks of dawn lit the sky, she gave birth.
Ysabel gently handed the child to the dowager. "Tis a girl."
Lovingly, Adrienne wrapped her new granddaughter in a so
ft blanket and then cradled her in her arms. "I have never seen a birth where the baby does not cry," she said, softly kissing a tiny fist. "You are a wonder, Ysabel."
Ysabel did not hear her. She was watching Sabine with troubled eyes. "Is there still pain?" she asked.
Sabine rolled her head and tried not to cry out. "Ysabel, help me!"
Adrienne handed her granddaughter to Mrs. North and came back to Sabine. "What's wrong?"
"She should not be having this pain. Wait!" Ysabel cried in amazement. "What's this? There's another baby. Why did I not see this?"
Several minutes later, a second child was born. Ysabel was smiling happily as she handed the baby to Adrienne. "Your Grace, you have a pair of them. This one is a grandson."
Adrienne was so happy she was crying. She moved to Sabine, a baby nestled in each arm. "Garreth will be so pleased about these beautiful babies! He is the father of a beautiful daughter and an heir. God be praised— twins!"
Sabine smiled and touched each soft, downy head. "I cannot believe twins!" She felt happiness bubble up inside her, and a strong motherly love for the tiny infants.
"You must rest now, my dear," Adrienne told Sabine. "The long ordeal is over."
Weakly, Sabine turned her face to the wall as the sleeping draught Ysabel gave her began to take effect. There was a smile on her face as she drifted off to sleep.
Garreth greeted Captain Barkley, who had just come from Wolfeton Keep. "Is all well?" he inquired.
"Yes, Your Grace," the captain said, trying not to look pleased at the news he was delivering. He was told not to say anything until the duke had read the letter.
Proudly, he handed his grace the letter. "It's from her grace."
Garreth looked puzzled when he saw the handwriting. He had supposed it would be from Sabine. "My mother?"
"Yes, Your Grace."
"Does it require an answer?"
"I believe so, Your Grace."
Garreth broke the seal and read to himself.
My Son:
This is a glorious day, because before dawn, Sabine gave you two precious gifts of life. Yes, my dear Garreth, you not only have a lovely daughter, but a son as well. Twins! They are small, but appear to be healthy. You can imagine our dilemma. Now we need two of everything. Be joyous in your heart, for this is a great day for the Blackthorn family.
Garreth reread the letter to make certain that he had not misunderstood. "A son and a daughter?"
Captain Barkley was smiling widely. "Yes, Your Grace. The Keep is buzzing with activity, and there is much pride in the village for the new little lord and lady. The church bells rang for an hour, announcing their births."
Garreth was stunned by the unexpected event. Then he smiled proudly, wishing he could shout the news to the whole of London—he was a father! A Blackthorn heir and a daughter had been born! He found himself anxious to see them.
Stephen entered the room just as Garreth was giving Captain Barkley instructions to saddle his horse. When Barkley left he spoke to his friend. "I'm going home. You watch for Eugenia here. I must be with Sabine and the babies."
Stephen's eyes widened. "Did you say babies?"
It was clear that Garreth's mind was on other matters. "Yes, Sabine had twins—a boy and a girl."
Stephen slapped him on the back. "This is wonderful! Imagine you a father—and twins, no less." Stephen was grinning. "Your wife can never do anything the ordinary way, can she?"
"It would seem not."
"My compliments, my friend!"
There was a sudden urgency in Garreth's manner. "I must leave now. If Eugenia hears of this, there is no knowing what she might do."
"Yes, go home, Garreth. I'll send word if I hear anything more about Eugenia."
* * *
Sabine was recovering under the watchful eyes of Ysabel and Adrienne. Three wet nurses had been engaged, and Adrienne had miraculously rearranged the nursery to accommodate both her grandchildren.
It was long after dark, and Sabine had heard the clock chime the ninth hour. She entered the nursery and spoke to the nurse. "I'll take my daughter. You may leave us alone."
The nurse thought it was too soon after the birth of the twins for the duchess to be out of bed, but she dared not say so. "As you wish, Your Grace."
Sabine lifted her crying daughter in her arms and walked back and forth across the floor, attempting to quiet her. She paused to glance at her son, who had his little knees drawn up under him and was sleeping soundly.
"Sweet one, why can you not be good like your brother? See how well he sleeps, even through your crying?"
The sound of her voice seemed to calm her daughter, and the infant nestled against her.
Garreth stood in the darkened doorway with a tightening in his chest. Nothing had ever touched him as deeply as the scene he was witnessing. Sabine wore an emerald green velvet dressing gown, and her glorious red hair spilled down her back. Her beautiful face held a new maturity, and he caught his breath at the softness he saw in her eyes when she hummed softly to the baby. He suddenly wanted her to look at him with that same softness.
"Truly the little mother," he said, stepping into the room.
Sabine could feel her heart beating in her throat. "I . . . did not expect you."
His voice sounded detached. "You did not think I would hasten home to you?"
Their eyes locked, and there was a long silence.
"I think you did not return to see me, Garreth."
He moved closer, wanting desperately to catch a glimpse of the baby she held in her arms, but somehow reluctant to show his feelings. He stopped several paces from her. "I suppose you will scold me for not being here when the babies were born."
"I shall neither admonish nor advise you. In your defense, you could not have known they would be born early. I say only this to you; they are your son and daughter—flesh of your flesh—that should mean something to you."
Did she not know how proud he was of her and his babies? Could she not see that he wanted to reach out and touch her flaming hair, to touch his lips to hers, to hold her to his body until the trembling inside of him ceased?
"I have a great interest in their welfare," he said at last.
By now the baby was sleeping, and Sabine laid her in the cradle. Garreth looked from one baby to the other. He moved closer and reached out to touch a soft head.
"I have much to learn. I never knew babies could be so small." He was shaken with an unbelievable feeling of pride. He had not expected to feel this strongly about his son and daughter.
"They are smaller than most because they were born early."
"Mrs. North informed me that was usual with twins."
"So I am told."
"Which one is which?"
"The one you are touching is your daughter." She nodded to the other cradle. "That is your son."
He moved to stand over his son and took the tiny-balled fist in his hand. "It is hard to imagine that he will ever grow as tall as I."
"He will though, Garreth."
"What are their names?"
"I did not name them because I was sure that you might want to use family names."
"A thoughtful gesture." He moved in a leisurely way to her side. "We shall decide their names together. Do you have any preferences, Sabine?"
"I would like to name our daughter after my mother and yours. Of course, you will want a family name for our son."
He reached out and laid his hand on her arm. "I have a vague memory of your mother, having only seen her twice, and then for such a short time. She was very beautiful. What was her name?"
"As you know, she was French. Before she married my father, she was Lady Ryanne de Chavaniac."
"A lovely name." His eyes moved to his daughter. "Lady Adrienne Ryanne Blackthorn. Yes, I like it."
"I would like to call her Ryanne."
"Lady Ryanne Blackthorn. Yes, that will be her name." Garreth moved to his son. "My father's name was very English. Have you any objecti
ons to Edward Thayne Blackthorn, the eleventh marquess of Huntley?"
She looked down at his hands that were clasped on the rung of his son's cradle. She remembered how it felt to have those hands hold and caress her.
With relief, she nodded. "It's a good name. I like it." She moved to the door. "Good night, Garreth."
"Yes," he said watching the way the candlelight glinted on her hair, and wishing he dared touch the soft tresses. "I suspect you should not yet be out of bed. I believe it takes time for a woman to heal from childbirth."
"I am strong, Garreth."
He turned away from her and muttered under his breath. "I have known that about you."
She left and made her way to her room, wishing she was as strong as she pretended. All she had wanted to do was run into his arms and have him hold her, until the fear and uncertainty went away.
33
Adrienne found it difficult to leave her grandchildren. She held each baby, kissing them tenderly, and then handed them to their nurse. She brushed a kiss on Garreth's cheek. "Take care of yourself and this lovely family."
He smiled. "I shall, Mother."
She turned to her daughter-in-law. "I'll miss you, Sabine. You have become very dear to me."
Sabine tried not to show her sadness. "I shall miss you, Adrienne. Have a lovely holiday in Florence, but return to the Keep soon."
Adrienne bent close and whispered in Sabine's ear. "I'll give you and Garreth the summer to make things right between you, and that's all I can promise. I have become attached to my grandchildren, and I fear I shall make a nuisance of myself."
Sabine kissed her mother-in-law's cheek. "You could never be that."
The dowager duchess climbed into her coach and waved good-bye.
"I shall truly miss her, Garreth. Your mother is an extraordinary woman."
He was offering his finger to his daughter and smiled at the child when she clasped it. "Yes, she is. As are all the women in my life."
"I believe we should get the children back to the nursery now that they have seen their grandmother on her way. I think I shall go riding. I haven't ridden since the babies were born."
La Flamme (Historical Romance) Page 27
