Page 30 of The Tantalizing of a Scandalous Rake

“Make some willow bark tea if you can,” Mrs. Newman instructed. “I told Jane to have some ready.”

Rubbing a hand over her face, Rosie hoped the strain did not show in her expression as she stepped into the parlor room and closed the door behind her. Though she had no doubt Simon understood how dangerous things were.

“What news?” he demanded as soon as she stepped out.

Lamps were lit in the windows, highlighting Simon’s haggard appearance. His auburn hair looked as though he had pushed his hands through it hundreds of times and his clothes were crumpled.

“The baby is facing the wrong way. It is making it difficult. But Jane is strong.” She put a hand to his arm. “Do not fear. I’m going to make her some willow bark for the pain.”

Simon gestured vaguely toward the stove. “I think there’s some over there.” He glanced toward the door as another howl of pain rattled the eaves. “What should I do?”

“You shall wait and pray and be patient.” Rosie retrieved the kettle and paused in front of him. “And sit. You will be no good to her once the baby arrives if you have not had at least a little bit of rest. Now I’m going to fetch some water. Do as I say, and rest.”

He muttered something about bossy women as she left the room but she heard the creak of an armchair. As she went around to the back of the cottage, she paused, glimpsing the flickering light of a lantern. When it neared, she recognized her own horse and wagon, and she could not help but let out a sigh of relief when she spied Adam. Why his appearance should bring relief she did not know but there was something about having him around that provided instant comfort.

“You should be at the inn!” she declared as he clambered down.

“It is past midnight, Rosie. Everyone is abed or returned home. And I thought you might need some support.”

“Goodness, I had no idea it was so late.”

“How goes it?”

“Not well.”

“You should not have travelled.”

He gave a little shrug. “I’m fully healed by now.”

She tried not to think what that meant for him. For them. For his return home.

“You can keep Simon company and I bade him to rest. The poor man is exhausted and has not slept for hours.”

“I would wager his wife is more tired. Let the man do what he wishes. If it were me, I would be loath to sit around and do nothing.”

Her heart gave a little pang. She had no doubt Adam would be a wonderful father.

“Well, whatever you do, offer him reassurance. I do not know how much longer Jane will last and the baby’s condition is not yet known.”

He grimaced. “I shall do what I can.”

Adam took the kettle from her and filled it then she led the way into the house.

Simon scarcely glanced at Adam. “I think it’s happening.”

Rosie blew out a breath. “This is good,” she assured him.

At least she hoped so. Much longer and she could not be certain either the mother or the baby would survive. She glanced briefly at Adam, offered him a grateful smile and headed into the bedroom. No matter what happened, at least she had Adam at her side. It might not be for much longer but for now, she would make the most of it.

Chapter Eleven

The wail of a newborn filled the stuffy room that smelled of blood and sweat. Rosie, her normally fair cheeks flush, passed off the tiny thing to him, setting it swaddled in his arms. “Hold him for a moment, will you?” she asked.

Before he could consent or protest, she rushed back to Jane’s bedside, hushing the woman who had just given birth and was still writhing in barely repressed pain on the sheets. Adam looked down at the newborn in his arms. It had stopped wailing as soon as Rosie had swaddled him, and now frowned, squeezing his little eyes shut.

He averted his eyes while Rosie and the midwife cleaned Jane up, then rushed back to Adam and gently lifted the little boy from his arms. “Thank you,” she said briskly.

She set the child in Jane’s arms, and the woman who had labored for so long to bring him into the world smiled at her first born. “He’s handsome, is he not?” she whispered.

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