Page 33 of Under the Champagne Moon
He stalked out and was surprised to find Haskell following.
“What news?” Haskell asked.
“Nothing so far. The doctor and the ladies are with her. I passed that floor on my way to the nursery and heard a great deal of groaning. Cora has the girls well in hand. I suppose it wouldn’t go amiss for you to visit the nursery and check on them.”
Haskell sent him a puzzled look.
“That ass is just biding his time to put them all out of the house,” Gareth said. “I hope you’re not planning to leave. Am I correct that your sister is here to help with the, er, feeding?”
“Yes.” Haskell nodded.
“I’ll fetch a whole plate of tarts for her.”
Haskell nodded again. “Thank you. I’ll check on the little ones, and then after Sadie is fed, we’ll send her up to see what’s what.”
“A good plan.”
They parted ways. He was in the kitchen putting the final touches to his tray when the housekeeper herself rushed in, tears streaming.
His heart dropped into his stomach as the older woman threw herself into his arms. “Oh, Captain.” She stepped away, breathless. “Oh Captain. It’s aboy. And the doctor says there’s another babe crowning. I must have the caudle, Cook. And more hot water. And clean linens. Send whoever you can find to the linen closet.”
She grabbed a steaming pitcher and rushed out again.
On his way up the stairs with the burden of tea and cakes, a noise like a cat crying filtered down from above.
* * *
Fleur wipedtears on her sleeve and held Helena’s hand and her own breath as with one final straining push, the second baby arrived.
She’d never witnessed childbirth before. Helena’s bravery was astonishing.
“Another boy.” Dr. Wagner grinned and handed the wailing babe off to Miss Barlow. Mrs. Knollwood setthe first babe to Helena’s breast, and his crying stopped.
“A boy,” Helena said.
“Two boys.” Dulcinea mopped the exhausted lady’s forehead with a dampened towel. “And Miss Barlow has tied a ribbon around the heir’s foot.”
“Indeed I did.” Miss Barlow said, gently cleaning the second babe. “We’ll know better soon, but I don’t think they’re identical.”
“We’ve one more task here, Helena,” Dr. Wagner said. “Let’s get all of that afterbirth out.”
A short time later, Fleur was taking away soiled linens when Haskell’s sister Sadie entered the room, a baby in her arms.
“Two boys,” Fleur said.
Sadie grinned. “Two? That Morledge will be fit to be tied. When Captain Ardleigh came up from the kitchen?—”
“Captain Ardleigh is here?”
“Aye, and with Mr. Sherington. Bevan too.”
Her heart did a flip and she was suddenly nervous. Gareth was here.
“Fleur, go tell the gentlemen the good news,” Dulcinea called. “I’ll be right along to do battle with Mr. Morledge.”
“You won’t have to,” Sadie said. “My brother and the captain are up to the task.”
Fleur took off her soiled smock, smoothed her hair, and made herself walk sedately down the stairs, though her insides were quaking.
