meant they were not to make love in future? “My darling, don’t look so conscious, it’s because I wish to … to share myself with you as frequently as possible that I’ve broached this delicate subject.”
The relief on his face was comical. “Are you asking me if I know of any ways to avoid a yearly pregnancy?”
“I am— there must be other couples who wish to be intimate but don’t want an overcrowded nursery. How do
He frowned. “I’ve no idea, darling girl, but I promise you I shall find out from someone I’m sure knows about these things. We have a few weeks before that particular problem presents itself.”
Satisfied she could forget about such matters until the baby was born she settled back to doze leaving him return to his desk and write the necessary letter. His pen scratching across the paper and his frequent curses and muttering made her smile. He would always be irascible, this was part of his nature, but he would never mistreat her again.
Having him sleeping peacefully beside her every night improved her own slumbers. Even when they had been first married he had never remained all night in her bed. Ellie’s shock when she came in that first morning still made them both laugh. Indeed it had been more of an adjustment for Duncan and her abigail than it had been for them.
Alexander’s valet was unused to sharing bed chamber duties having taken care of his master, as was customary, in splendid isolation these past years. For a day or two she feared Duncan might hand in his notice but things settled down. As there were two distinct dressing rooms, and separate chambers where mending and such things were done, there was no need for the two servants to meet.
The only place there could have been difficulty was over the bathing room. Mary solved this by appointing a chambermaid whose sole duty was to keep this room in pristine condition and to carry up the necessary hot water.
Alexander had been happily ensconced for a week when Nanny Cooper arrived to take up her position. Isobel liked her on sight; the woman could be no more than one and thirty and had a calm practical care about her.
“Nanny, you’ll find things are done differently at Newcomb. The nursery suite is opposite the rooms my husband and I occupy. It is my intention to feed the baby myself if possible but I expect it might be wise to have a wet nurse available just in case.”
Instead of pursing her lips the woman smiled. “Your baby will do better being nursed by you, my lady. My previous employer, Lady Grainger, always did so. When we travelled to house parties it was always apparent the Grainger children were more robust and happy than those who had little to do with their parents.”
“I knew as soon as I saw your letter, Nanny, we should get on splendidly. The midwife is arriving tomorrow and I shall put her in your charge. If there is anything you require for yourself, or the baby, just speak to the housekeeper, Mrs Watkins, and it will be arranged.”
Nanny Cooper curtsied. “Thank you, my lady. I’m sure I shall be content here, for all its size Newcomb is a happy house.”
When Alexander climbed in beside her that night she was eager to tell him how delighted she was with the new appointment. However no sooner had she settled into his arms than she felt a flood of liquid pour from her. Horrified that she’d disgraced herself she cried out in distress but he hushed her with a kiss.
“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.
