Page 38 of Sweet Siren
But Pierce—his eyes weary, his black hair mussed and his clothes rumpled—jammed his fists in his trouser pockets. He'd had a hard night. On the day his mother died when he was just a lad of fourteen, he'd cried his heart out. "You're sure our Lily'swell?"
This concern, Killian suspected, came from the comparable news the doctor had given them of the condition of Elanna, the Countess of Carbury, after the delivery of her own son. The countess had survived a very long labor of twenty-one hours. The baby had been breech and at first, had not breathed at all until the doctor cleared his mouth and nose. Whereas, Garrett had come without complications. Lily was eating well, had napped already and had nursed her baby boy twice to contentment on both theirparts.
"I am, sir, confident that Her Grace will be up and about in two or three weeks." The frail little doctor glanced at Killian andLiv.
Killian sensed the man did not wish to speak overly much about the horrendous scene he'd witnessed at theCarburys’.
Pierce frowned down at the doctor. "So Lily is notbleeding?"
"No,sir."
"Nothysterical?"
Killianwinced.
Liv dropped her gaze to thefloor.
The physician had told them of Elanna's and her baby's health immediately upon his arrival an hour ago. His statement—diplomatically worded as it had been—of Elanna's condition had given them all a start. The young mother, upon hearing that her son breathed, had sent him away to the nursery with the wet nurse she'd hired. She also refused to see her husband and had even banned him from herchambers.
"No, sir. Her Grace ischipper."
"Not like thecountess?"
The doctor examinedPierce.
Killian saw the man was mystified by Pierce's continued interest inElanna.
"Not like the countess, sir," the doctor said. "I did attempt to reassure His Grace as to his sister's condition. He told me he will ride over to visit her later thisafternoon."
"But you said she told you she'd receive no one but the wet nurse," Pierce pressedhim.
"That's true, sir. But I do believe that once she hears her brother wishes to greet her, she willrelent."
"You don't know her," Pierce said between thinlips.
The doctor bristled. "Since she was a child, sir, I have known her ladyship to be charming and bright. She has, we all do know it, a few challenges at home. I have faith she will comeround."
Killian had heard enough about the Carburys. Meanwhile, Pierce must get some sleep, clear his head and set his priorities on his sister. "Thank you for your attentions, Doctor. I'm sure my son-in-law has expressed hisgratitude."
"He has, Mister Hanniford. My regret is that I was not available to you earlier, but with the challenges with the countess and her child, I feared the worst for both. Her Grace is in much better health and in all ways, too. However, you were very fortunate to have Lady Savage in attendance on her." The old man smiled at her ear-to-ear. "Nothing like a happy delivery, mother and child. Thank you,ma'am."
She inclined her head. "My joy tohelp."
"I will look in on Her Grace tomorrow. And now, if you will excuse me,please?"
"Of course." Killian stepped aside and the four of them watched him gingerly descend thestairs.
Ada said, "Well, my dears, this is my notice that I am going to take a long, long nap. See you atdinner."
Pierce took a look at Lily's bedchamber door. "I think I'll go for aride."
Killian glared at him. "Be careful," was all he dared to say.Don't go near Carbury Manor. Don't expect to be shown into Elanna's presence. Don't hope for anything from a married woman who's just given birth to a child she doesn't want by a husband she doesn'tlove.
"I will. You needn't worry. I caught your concern, Father. I know when I'm about to make a fool ofmyself."
Only once had Pierce ever done an idiotic thing. He had forever regretted it and vowed never again to be so brash. This fascination with Elanna was becoming one he could not seem toend.
"And if you don't mind," Liv said with an air of relief, "I am off to the kitchen to eat a feast fit for thequeen."
