The Duchess' Desperate Deal, page 21
Within minutes, they had her dressed in a soft, white cotton nightgown, her hair braided and gathered in a cap, and ensconced in bed. And then there was nothing to do, for the pains were only sporadic and she was nowhere near ready to deliver this baby.
The doctor arrived posthaste, examined her, and determined that it would take a while. When the doctor suggested he return in a few hours, the duke almost ordered him thrown in a dungeon.
A few hours later, her chamber resembled a circus. There were people running about for no reason and at least a dozen servants in her room. The doctor and the midwife bickered over the best way to proceed, and the duke was barking orders... She had had enough.
Her back ached, her belly seemed to twist from within, and she was uncomfortable and irritable. She wished everyone would leave so she could rest. Not that she could sleep with the pains in her belly, but at least she would have some peace and quiet.
“Out!” she yelled. “Everyone out!” She had never yelled at her staff, but there were limits to what a woman in labor could endure.
The duke shuffled to her side. “Dear, you need the doctor, and the servants to see to your needs—”
“At the moment, the only thing I need is quiet and room to breathe. Please remove all the servants from the room. And let the doctor take a nap in one of the guest bedrooms. The midwife can sit with me for a few hours, and then the doctor can take over if he wants, so that she can sleep.”
It was obvious that Harold felt conflicted, but he didn’t dare contradict her. With a nod from him, everyone fled the room, and blessed silence reigned.
“You should go to bed as well,” she told Harold as another pain racked her belly.
“Not a chance,” he told her, and she saw the steely determination in his eyes. It reminded her so much of Gabriel that a sudden burst of emotion made her chin tremble.
Oh, God. How she wanted to have Gabriel here. All throughout this pregnancy, she had missed him, but never so much as now. He couldn’t visit, of course. That would be unthinkable. How would they explain that to the servants, or the doctor?
She turned away so Harold wouldn’t see her cry. But a soft hand on her head told her he had seen her upset. And had probably guessed the cause. It only made her cry harder.
By the next morning, she was no further along in her labor. At the crack of dawn, and much to the horror of everyone but the midwife, she decided she needed to take a walk.
“It is the way with some women,” the midwife had reassured the duke. “I’ll be with the duchess the entire time.”
With an ominous look that promised retribution if any harm came to her or the baby, the duke allowed the midwife to take her for a walk. They had intended to walk along the gallery, but she yearned for the outdoors, so she convinced the midwife that she was capable of taking a turn in the garden.
The fresh morning air and the walk made her marginally more comfortable. She sat on one of the garden benches whenever a strong pain made it impossible for her to walk. But otherwise, she walked until she saw the worried figure of the duke laboriously descend the stairs towards the garden, helped by one footman. He approached her, and she saw his haggard face.
“I think it’s time to go back inside, dear. I worry about you out here.”
She acquiesced for Harold’s sake. It was obvious the sleepless night, coupled with the stress, were taking as much a toll on him as they did on her. So she trudged back inside, yearning for Gabriel with every step.
CHAPTER 39
“GABRIEL? I SAY, MAN, have you listened to a word I’ve uttered?” Colin said.
Gabriel shook his head and tried to focus. They were ensconced in his study, sharing a drink and having a chat. Or at least Colin was. His friend had come to visit unexpectedly, and as glad as he was for the company, his mind was not up to the task of upholding a conversation. Hannah was due to have the baby any day now, and that occupied his entire mind.
His restlessness had intensified since yesterday. Something was up. He could sense it. He almost got on a train and visited Stanhope Abbey but refrained. Surely, they would let him know when she went into labor? They may not welcome him dropping by unannounced. Hannah was anxious about the scandal, and the last thing he wanted was to cause her more concern at this delicate time.
“Forgive me, old boy. I’m not very good company today. Got a lot on my mind. You were saying?”
Colin made a dismissive gesture. “Forget about that. It’s not important. What’s troubling you?”
Did he dare tell him? Even though their lives had taken them in different directions for many years, and they had only just reconnected, their friendship had been forged in hardship during their time at Eton, and Gabriel knew Colin was a solid chap. Trustworthy.
Colin had proven he trusted Gabriel by coming to him for advice a few months ago, when his marriage was falling apart. He liked to think he had helped his friend back then. Now Colin and his wife were beaming with joy as they eagerly anticipated the arrival of their baby.
The similarities and differences in their situations struck him right in the heart all at once. They were both about to be fathers. But Colin was enjoying his wife’s pregnancy. He was by her side. He would be able to see his child born, hold it in his arms, claim it as his. Whereas he...
“Do you remember when I told you the woman I love was expecting my child, but she’s married and I can’t claim it as mine?” Apparently, he had decided to confide in Colin, because the words burst out of him as if ripped from his aching chest.
His friend nodded, a slight frown of concern appearing between his brows.
“The baby is due to be born any day now. But I have received no news. I don’t know how she is faring, how is the baby, even if it was born yet! I might be a father already, and I don’t know. Not knowing is killing me.”
“Are you able to inquire?” Colin shook his head. “Forgive me for prying, but I remember you attended a house party at the Duke of Stanhope’s estate a few months ago, and I’ve heard some nasty rumors... Do you have anything to do with that?”
Fuck. Colin had pieced the story together. If he did, was there a chance some others might as well? He had promised Hannah he would protect her and the baby from scandal. For a moment, panic seized him. What if he failed? What if everyone found out... No. Unlikely. Colin could figure it out because he had said too much. That day, fueled by misery and alcohol, he had been indiscreet. But never again.
“I hope you realize that is strictly confidential,” he replied, meeting his friend’s gaze straight on. “You must not speak of this to anyone.”
“I’m offended that you even think you need to tell me that.”
Gabriel exhaled. “I’m sorry. It’s just...It’s not just me. There are more lives involved.”
“I understand. Actually, no, I don’t. How did you get involved in a relationship with the duchess? And how about the duke? Does he know?”
“He knows. This whole mess was his idea to begin with. He needs an heir.”
Colin’s frown deepened. It was obvious he was struggling to understand the context. Which was difficult to do when one didn’t have all the details. Even then, it was outrageous enough to scandalize most people.
“Then maybe you could write to him? Would he allow you to meet your child once it’s born?”
“I believe so. He bears no ill will against me. On the contrary...” God, this situation sounded crazier the more he tried to explain. With a heavy sigh, Gabriel decided he might as well tell Colin everything. His friend already knew more than half the story. He might as well know it all. “The duke is my natural father. That’s why he asked this of me.”
The full implications were there for Colin to draw conclusions. He was a bastard. The product of an illicit liaison. And now he had embroiled himself in another illicit liaison to beget a child who could not be called his. But he saw no judgment on Colin’s face. Only compassion.
A few charged moments passed before Colin spoke.
“I’m sorry Gabriel. I can only imagine how difficult this must be for you. For everyone involved. It’s inadequate, but the only advice I can think of is, try to be in your child’s life somehow. As a friend of the family, an uncle...” Colin shook his head. “It’s not enough. Fuck, I know it’s not enough. But it’s something.”
Gabriel inclined his head, a sad half smile tugging the corner of his mouth. “I appreciate your advice. And your understanding. I know the situation would outrage most people. What you suggest is what I intend to do, but as you say; it’s not enough.”
Just then, the door to his study opened, and Thakur walked in, bearing an envelope. “Forgive the intrusion. This arrived for you just now. I figured you would want to be informed at once.”
Gabriel jumped up and ripped the envelope from Thakur’s hands. It was a telegram from the duke. It said only, Duchess in labor. Please visit.
He looked up, meeting Colin’s gaze. “She’s giving birth. I have to go.”
“Wait,” his friend called, and Gabriel looked back at him impatiently. “Do you know who the doctor attending her is?”
Gabriel shook his head. “I believe it’s the duke’s doctor. Why? What does it matter?”
“It matters. An older doctor may not be up to date with the latest advances in medicine. Many of them have been practicing for decades and are set in the old ways. We know a doctor specialized in obstetrics—that’s the specialty that deals with pregnancy and childbirth. He practices sanitation and uses anesthesia to make childbearing easier. I’ve read some papers he has published, and I’m convinced he’s a good doctor. He’s the doctor Abigail plans to use. You should bring him with you... just in case.”
Gabriel knew his friend was not giving empty advice. Colin was a doctor himself, and if he endorsed this fellow, he knew what he was talking about. But time was of the essence now. He wished he had known this before.
“I appreciate the information. But I don’t know if this doctor would be willing or able to travel—”
“I’m sure, for a duchess, and with the right inducement, he could be persuaded to attend.”
“But I need to leave immediately. I don’t have time to search for this doctor.”
“If you’ll allow me, I’ll talk to him and convince him to go to Stanhope Abbey at once.”
The level of gratitude he felt towards his friend at this moment... “If you do that for me, for her, I would be eternally in your debt.”
Colin shook his head, smiling. “There’s no debt between friends. I’ll persuade Dr. Finlay. Now go to your duchess. And godspeed.”
“Thank you.”
With that, Gabriel ran out of the study. His valet was waiting for him with two valises already prepared for the trip.
“How did you know...?”
“Please, my lord, let us not waste time pretending I don’t know what’s going on. We are going to Stanhope Abbey, yes?”
“Yes,” Gabriel replied, marching towards the door. “The sooner the better.”
SHE WAS SO TIRED. IT had been impossible to get much sleep last night, as the pains in her belly constantly awoke her. They had continued in the same fashion throughout the day. By late afternoon, her eyes would close of their own accord, and she would slip in and out of consciousness to the rhythm of the labor pains.
Sometimes she didn’t know if she was asleep or awake. Now, as another pain ripped her from blessed unconsciousness, she thought she was still in the grip of a dream. Or perhaps hallucinating. Because when she opened her eyes, she saw Gabriel sliding into her room from the door that connected it with Harold’s suite. The sight produced a jolt of joy, followed by profound sadness, because, of course, it wasn’t real. He couldn’t possibly be here.
She closed her eyes again and whimpered through the pain. Not for the first time since the labor ordeal began, her eyes flooded and tears escaped from her closed eyelids. As she withstood the ravages of the cramp that seized her belly every few minutes, she almost welcomed the pain. At least it gave her an excuse for crying, as she couldn’t very well reveal the true reason; that she needed Gabriel by her side.
Strong arms enfolded her, and she inhaled his familiar scent. The rush of relief had her hiccupping and sobbing harder. She had not imagined it, he was real! Against all odds, he was here with her. Now all would be well.
“I’m sorry, my love, so sorry you have to go through this. I would give anything to spare you this suffering.”
As the pain eased, she pulled back in his arms to look at him, and a tremulous smile stretched her lips. He looked rumpled and weary from traveling. But she had never beheld a more welcome sight.
“You are here,” she said at last, touching his face. “I’ve needed you here... so much.”
“I would have been here sooner if I had known. I haven’t stopped thinking about you for even a moment.” His eyes roamed her face, her body. Anxiously looking for reassurance that she was well.
“How are you feeling? Has it been awful?”
“It’s not pleasant, but so far bearable. Just... exhausting. I want it to be over. I want to have the baby already. Why can’t I give birth? I’ve seen sheep do it. It doesn’t seem that complicated. Why can’t I be as efficient as a sheep?” she finished in a small voice. She sounded like a child, but at this point she was past caring.
“Because you are not a sheep,” he said, giving her a twisted smile and smoothing her hair from her forehead.
She had discarded the neat cap they had placed on her yesterday, and her hair was now a wild mass strewn haphazardly across the pillow. She must look a fright. But Gabriel was looking at her with infinite tenderness, his caress of her forehead a balm that eased her discomfort.
“I’m afraid.” She had not admitted this even to herself, but with Gabriel, it rushed out of her tight chest. Another pain seized her, and she gripped his hand as she endured it. He provided a solid strength to hold on to in a sea of pain.
“Don’t be afraid, my darling. You will be fine, I promise. A London doctor is due to arrive at any moment. He will give you something for the pain and will make you comfortable. You’ll see. Soon you’ll be holding your baby in your arms.”
He made everything seem possible. Her eyes closed on that lovely image, still holding on to Gabriel’s hand.
CHAPTER 40
GABRIEL PACED THE DUKE’S sitting room, unable to sit still. The doctor Colin sent had arrived about an hour ago. He had not expected the man to be so young. He looked more like a rake than a respectable doctor, which was not reassuring. But Colin had endorsed him, and if his friend, who was a doctor himself, trusted the man, he would suspend judgment for now.
But the doctor had been in Hannah’s room for the best part of the hour, and so far, there had been no news.
“Calm yourself, Gabriel. You are going to blaze a trail on the rug,” the duke said from where he sat on a chair by the fireplace.
“I can’t sit still. How can you be so calm when Hannah is going through this?”
“I’m not. But there’s nothing to be gained by whipping myself into a frenzy. Nor do I have the energy for that. I have to conserve my strength and be calm for Hannah.”
Gabriel dropped into a chair and leaned forward. Resting his elbows on his knees, he leaned his head into his hands.
“I’m so afraid. What if something happens to Hannah? Or the baby? What if we are punished for this unholy scheme we have concocted?”
The duke’s hand fell on his shoulder. “If someone deserves punishment, it is only me. Don’t torment yourself, Gabriel. Everything will be fine.”
At that moment there was a knock on the door, and when the duke bid entrance, Dr. Finlay walked in. Gabriel jumped to his feet a moment before he remembered his place. Trying to cover his reaction, he walked towards the window, as if he had intended to do just that all along. Pretending to give them privacy. He should leave the room altogether, but he was incapable of doing so. The doctor went to the duke.
“The duchess is well, and the labor is progressing normally.”
Gabriel let out a breath, relief weakening his knees... But then, why hadn’t she been able to deliver?
“I am immensely relieved to hear that, doctor. But why has the baby not been born? She started to have labor pains yesterday morning, it’s been almost two full days. My first wife delivered a scant few hours after the pains began.”
Gabriel looked surreptitiously. Wanting not only to hear the doctor’s words but also to study his face. He seemed reassuringly calm and confident when he replied.
“Not all labors are the same. I predict it might be still a few more hours, perhaps not until tomorrow, until the baby is born. With the duchess’s permission, I administered chloroform anesthesia. She needs to rest and conserve her strength for when the time comes to push the baby out.”
“Is this anesthesia safe for her and the baby?” the duke inquired, to Gabriel’s immense relief. It seemed they were of one mind when it came to their concerns.
“There are always risks associated with any procedure. Chloroform’s dosage needs to be carefully controlled. But I have vast experience with this form of anesthetic and have successfully employed it with most of my patients.”
“Most, but not all?” the duke pressed.
Far from taking offense, the doctor smiled. “Some of my patients have refused the anesthesia. Others were not suitable candidates because they had weakened hearts or lungs, so I refused to administer it. While it’s impossible to offer guarantees with medical outcomes, I have never lost a patient, or even had complications, because of the use of chloroform.”
The duke nodded, appearing satisfied. Gabriel was as well. “What should we do now?”
“My nurse and I will continue to monitor the duchess’s progress. For now, we will let her rest for a couple of hours. I suggest you do the same, Your Grace.”
