Page 43 of His Wicked Secret
Horatia screwed up her face and cried out as she pushed.
Audrey pressed herself against the wall by the door. A knock sounded, and she was thankful for something to do besides watch. She wrenched the door open and found James standing there, towels, a pitcher of water, and a knife in his arms. Audrey gestured for him to come inside. He paled.
“I don’t think I should—”
“My sister does not care,” she said, cutting him off. He entered, his eyes downcast with modesty.
Charles took the knife from James. “Be ready to catch the babe, Gillian.” Audrey moved back to the wall, James joining her. He felt as out of place as she did. Gillian finally pulled the baby out from underneath the tent above Horatia’s legs. It was a tiny little thing, unmoving and a little bloody. Audrey’s legs began to buckle.
Gillian glanced around. “I need a towel.”
James moved, handing Gillian one of the towels he’d brought. Charles took the knife and cut the fleshy cord while Gillian assisted. Audrey’s vision dotted as she slumped against the wall.
“Is it all right?” Horatia asked, her voice weak. “It’s not crying…”
Charles took the baby from Gillian’s arms. The room was quiet, and the baby’s soft sounds could be heard, little struggles for breath. James leaned over the baby, next to Charles.
“Come on, little one, breathe.Fight.”
Audrey’s heart broke as her sister started to cry. Lucien’s face kept turning between his wife and his child. Audrey bit her lip hard enough to taste blood.
Please, let the baby be all right,she prayed.
“Come on,” Charles growled, peering down the child. “Come on,breathe.”
The baby suddenly pinched his face and let out a hearty cry. Audrey choked down a sob of relief.
“If he’s able to scream like that, I’d say he’s got a fighting chance.” Charles smiled as he walked over to the bed and leaned against the bedpost, still carrying the child in his arms. Then, once he felt they were ready, he handed the baby to the anxious parents.
Audrey’s legs shook hard as she wiped away her tears. She collapsed against the wall, her head suddenly feeling light.
“He?” Lucien asked.
“Yes, the child’s a boy. You’re a father.” Charles grinned. “And I just won ten pounds off Jonathan.”
Jonathan had wagered on the sex of her sister’s child? When she recovered herself, she was going to have words with that man—after she strangled him!
“Damnation, that means I owe Godric at least thirty,” Lucien grumbled. “I was certain it was a girl. Only girls can cause this much trouble.”
Her sister dropped her head back on the pillow. “You stupid men were betting on my child? Do you think this was forfun?”
The two rogues’ expression turned sheepish.
“Well, it had been rather fun, right up until this moment,” Lucien admitted.
“Wait until I get my strength back,” Horatia hissed. “You deserve a good kick to your arse!”
“Language, my love, language. Can’t be offending our new babe’s delicate hearing.”
Charles snorted. “Lord, he doesn’t stand a chance with the League of Rogues as his uncles. Just wait until the others see him! What a strong lad he’ll be!” The open pride Charles took in the new Russell baby made Audrey rush to his side and hug him.
“Thank you,” she whispered so only he could hear. He had no idea what a miracle he had worked, and she would never be able to repay him.
“Of course. Anything for the Sheridan sisters.” He patted her gently, but she didn’t miss a look of longing as Charles glanced toward the new family.
Lucien gazed down at his child in wonder. “He’ll be the strongest of them all. Won’t you, my dear boy?” Then he kissed the babe’s face and forehead before he set him in Horatia’s arms. She looked exhausted but smiled openly.
“Thank you, thank you all. You saved him - you saved us both. I don’t know what would’ve happened if…”
