now?'
'Of course,' she answered. 'But first I would like to have a talk with one of the midwives,' she explained. 'Do you happen to know where Helen lives?'
The priest nodded. He was kind enough to escort Judith there. He knocked on the door for her. Helen was given quite a startle to find both the priest and the laird's wife waiting on her stoop. Her hand flew to her bosom.
Judith saw how worried she looked and immediately tried to put her at ease.
'Good day, Helen,' she began. 'Father Laggan was kind enough to show me the way to your home. He was on his way to bless Isabelle's son,' she added. 'And I wanted to talk to you about a personal matter… if you have the time. I could come back later if you wish.'
Helen backed away from the entrance and graciously invited her guests inside.
The aroma of freshly baked bread filled the air. Father Laggan beckoned Judith inside first and then followed her.
The little cottage was spotless. The wooden floors had been scrubbed so clean; the slats seemed to have a shine to them.
Judith sat at the table, but the priest went over to the hearth and leaned over the iron kettle hanging on the rod above the fire;
'What have we here?' he asked.
'Mutton stew,' Helen replied, her voice a whisper. She held her apron in both hands in a grip that made her knuckles white.
'Is it about ready to taste, Helen?' Father Laggan asked.
His hint wasn't subtle. Feeding the priest put Helen at ease. She ushered him over to the table and then gave him a huge helping of the mutton. Judith was surprised by the priest's appetite. He was as thin as a rail, yet ate enough for two fully grown men.
Helen lost most of her worried expression while she served the priest. It was obvious to Judith she was enjoying the compliments the priest was giving her. Judith added a few of her own after she'd eaten two thick slices of black bread covered in rich jam.
Helen wouldn't sit down, however. Father Laggan finished his meal, thanked the midwife for her hospitality, and then left to go to Isabelle's cottage. Judith stayed behind. She waited until the door closed behind the priest, and then asked Helen to sit with her at the table.
'I would thank you again-' Helen began.
Judith cut her off. 'I didn't come here to gain your apologies. That problem was taken care of and Andrew has learned his lesson.'
'Since his father passed away, the boy has been… clinging. He thinks he must stay by my side all the time to protect me.'
'Perhaps he's worried inside that you might also die and he'd be left alone,' Judith suggested.
Helen nodded. 'There's only the two of us now. It's difficult for him.'
'Are their uncles or cousins who-'
She stopped her question when Helen shook her head. 'We are quite alone, Lady Judith.'
'No, you're not,' Judith argued. 'You're part of this clan. Your son will grow up to be a Maitland warrior. If there aren't any uncles or cousins to direct Andrew, then the matter should have been mentioned to Iain. Helen, you know how important it is for a child to believe he's important.' She paused to smile at the midwife before adding, 'It's important for women too, isn't it?'
'Aye, it is,' Helen agreed. 'It's been difficult, living here. I come from the MacDougall family. I've eight sisters and two brothers,' she added with a nod. 'Needless to say, there was always someone to talk to, and always time for a friendly visit. It's different here. The women work from dawn to dusk. Sundays are just the same. And yet, I find I envy them. They have husbands to look after.'
With Judith's prodding, Helen continued to talk about her life for over an hour. She'd married late in life and was so thankful her late husband, Harold, had saved her from becoming a spinster, she spent every waking minute trying to make his home as perfect as she could.
She admitted that, after he died, she actually enjoyed not having to scrub the floors every single day, but boredom soon caught up with her. She laughed and confessed that she was now scrubbing and cleaning just as often as she did before her husband died.
Judith was surprised when Helen admitted she missed preparing special meals for her husband. She loved to create new dishes and swore she knew at least a hundred ways to prepare mutton.
'Do you like being a midwife?' Judith asked.
'No.'
Her answer was quick, emphatic. 'I had already assisted with at least twenty birthings before I came here,' she explained. 'And I thought, after Harold died, that my expertise could be a way to… fit in. I won't be helping any more. After the confrontation over Isabelle, I decided I would rather find some other way to…'
She didn't finish. 'Helen, do you believe that a woman must suffer horribly in order to please her God?'
'The Church-'
'I'm asking you what you believe,' Judith interrupted.
'All birthings have some pain,' Helen replied. 'But I cannot believe that God would blame every woman for Eve's sins.'
She looked worried after making that whispered admission. Judith hurried to ease her fear. 'I'm not going to tell Father Laggan. I also believe God is more merciful than the Church would have us believe. I try not to question the wisdom of our leaders, Helen, but sometimes I cannot help but shake my head over some of the confusing rules.'
'You speak the truth,' Helen agreed. 'We cannot do anything about these dicates, or find ourselves excommunicated,' she added.
'I've strayed from my topic,' Judith said then. 'I would like to talk to you about my friend, Frances Catherine, and ask your help.'
'What is it you want me to do?'
Judith explained. 'I know you've just told me you have decided against assisting in any more birthings, Helen, but I don't have anyone else to turn to and I'm very worried about my friend. If it becomes complicated, I won't know what to do.'
Helen couldn't turn her request down, not after the delicate way she had taken care of Andrew.
'Frances Catherine is afraid of you,' Judith explained. 'We will have to convince her you don't believe in being cruel. We'll have to keep this quiet too. I don't want Agnes to interfere.'
'She will try,' Helen announced. 'She'll have to,' she added with a nod. 'It won't do you any good to talk to her. Agnes is set in her ways. She's furious with you too, for snatching her daughter's husband.'
Judith shook her head. 'Iain wasn't married to Cecilia,' she remarked. 'And Frances Catherine told me he. didn't have any intention of offering for her.'
Helen shrugged. 'Agnes is spreading rumors,' she whispered. 'She's saying he had to marry you to protect your honor.'
Judith's eyes widened. 'Do you mean she's saying that Iain and I… that I…'
She couldn't go on. Helen nodded. 'She's saying it, all right. She's hinting you're with child. God help her if our laird gets wind of her vile gossip.'
'I hope he doesn't hear,' Judith replied. 'It would upset him.'
Helen agreed. Judith tried to leave then, but Helen mentioned she was the very first company she'd had in over three months. Judith immediately sat back down again.
They visited for another hour before Judith stood up to leave.
'I've enjoyed our talk, Helen,' she said. 'I'll speak to Frances Catherine this evening, and I would appreciate it if you would go and see her tomorrow. Together, I'm certain we can rid her of her worries.'
Judith was almost out the doorway but suddenly stopped. She turned back to Helen. 'Did you know the women all take turns preparing the meals for Iain and the two elders living at the keep?'
'Yes,' Helen answered. 'It's just the way it's always been done. I volunteered to help, but Harold took ill right then, and there wasn't time.'
