Under the Mistletoe with the Viscount (Unlikely Lords #6)

Chapter 14

B ett sat in the parlor, trying to concentrate on her embroidery. Another fortnight had passed, and the early September weather had turned cooler, making walks in the garden quite pleasant without the heat of last month sapping her strength. However, she was upset that she still hadn’t heard from Noah. Had he received her letter? Was the situation with his uncle more dire than Mr. Walker knew?

She could not imagine what it would be like to lose a beloved family member. Luckily, her parents and sisters enjoyed robust health, but she knew things could change in an instant. With no definitive direction to her life at the moment, she was planning on going to London in the Spring with her mother and sister. Perhaps they could even convince her father to join them this year. Sir Owen Wilson didn’t care for London, but he might relent, especially since he’d want to make sure that Serena made a good match.

The suddenness of Noah’s family tragedy made her all the more anxious to be settled into her own home. How long would it be before she learned anything more? She could only assume Emma or Mr. Walker would let her know if something else happened with Noah’s family. She was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she didn’t immediately notice when Cecily walked into the parlor.

“Good morning, Bett,” Cecily said. “You look quite lovely this morning.”

Bett looked up. “Thank you. How are you faring today?”

“Quite uncomfortable today. I don’t know how I will endure this for another month. I waddle around and hardly sleep at night.”

“I can only sympathize. But remember, at the end of this, you’ll be holding a precious child in your arms.”

“Oh, Bett. You’re absolutely right. Thank you. You always know how to comfort me.”

“Would you like me to ring for tea?” Bett asked.

“No. Seems I must use the necessary much more lately, and tea will only add to those trips.”

Cecily started to sit on the sofa, and Bett jumped up and held her arm as Cecily lowered herself.

“Oh my, that wasn’t very graceful, I’m afraid. Thank you for helping me. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Of course. Is there anything else I can do to make you a little more comfortable? Perhaps a pillow behind your back, or I could help you swing your legs around so that we may prop them up?”

Cecily shook her head, but then a strange look crossed her face. “No. I’m f—”

Bett immediately noticed the horrified look on her sister-in-law’s face. “Cecily, what’s the matter?”

Tears began to stream down Cecily’s face. “Oh, Bett. I’m so embarrassed. I think I’ve soiled myself.”

“There’s no need to feel embarrassed with me. Come, let me help you to your bedchamber,” Bett said, grabbing Cecily’s hands to help pull her up. Once she was standing, Bett noticed the back of Cecily’s gown was soaked through.

“I’m so sorry you have to see me like this. I don’t know what happened. Usually, I can make it to the necessary in time.”

As Bett walked with her to the staircase, Cecily doubled over and groaned.

“Cecily, I don’t think you’ve merely soiled yourself. If I’m not mistaken, your child has decided it’s time to be born.”

Cecily straightened, delight crossing her face. “You think so?”

“I do.”

“But, it’s too early. The babe is not supposed to come for another month,” Cecily cried.

“Cecily, babies come on their own schedule. Let me take you to your maid to help you change, and then I’ll find Peter to let him know.”

There was no more talking, as the contractions seemed to come on with a vengeance every few minutes. By the time they made it to Cecily’s bedchamber, she could barely walk.

“Fitzwilliam, Lady Williams needs assistance!” Bett called out urgently.

The lady’s maid peeked out from the dressing room. “My lady, what’s the matter? Are you well?”

“The babe is coming,” Cecily said, panting between contractions.

Fitzwilliam quickly leapt into action, turning down the bed and helping Cecily out of her wet dress and into a night dress.

“Fitzy, it hurts so much,” Cecily cried. “Why does it hurt so?”

“I know, my lady. That’s the nature of having a babe, but soon, you’ll have your precious child. You must remain strong.”

“I’ll tell Adams to send for the midwife,” Bett said over her shoulder as she left the room

Bett found Adams in the foyer. “Adams, please send for the midwife. Lady Williams is having the child.”

“Of course. Right away.”

“Where’s Lord Williams?” Bett asked.

“I believe he’s in his study,” Adams said.

Bett rushed down the hallway to Peter’s study. She knocked once and opened the door. Peter was seated behind his oak desk, reading over some reports. “Peter, it’s Cecily.”

Peter looked up. “What?”

“It’s Cecily. The babe is coming.”

Peter jumped up, sending the chair crashing into the bookcase behind him. “What? Isn’t it too soon?”

“Sometimes babies come early,” Bett said.

“We must send for the midwife immediately.”

“Adams is taking care of that already.”

Peter rushed past her.

Bett said a silent prayer that everything would go well with the birth. The child was coming a month early, and though that wasn’t unusual, she still worried for Cecily. Her sister-in-law was a small woman, and women frequently died in childbirth. She had no idea how Peter would handle such a loss and prayed that her worst nightmare would not come to fruition.

The midwife arrived within a half-hour, which greatly relieved her mind. Bett returned to the parlor but was so anxious that all she could do was pace. Minutes turned into hours as Cecily’s screams echoed through the hallway.

Peter rushed into the parlor. “Bett, you must come. Cecily needs you.”

Bett followed Peter to Cecily’s bedchamber and rushed to the struggling woman’s side.

There was little Peter could do to comfort his wife, and he began pacing, making Cecily even more anxious.

“Lord Williams, it would be best if you waited elsewhere. Your wife needs to focus all her attention on delivering the child,” the midwife said.

Peter was clearly reluctant to leave but gave a quick nod and left the bedchamber.

“Oh, Bett. It hurts so much. I can’t do it anymore,” Cecily wailed as another contraction hit.

Bett rinsed out the cloth in the bowl beside the bed and wiped her sister-in-law’s face. “Cecily, my dear, you can do this. You’re strong. Hold my hand and squeeze when the pain hits.”

Cecily was slight, but when the next pain hit, Bett thought her hand would be crushed.

Luckily, the midwife said, “Lady Williams, you must push again.”

Cecily looked at Bett, then at the midwife. “I cannot.”

“Yes, you can. When the next pain hits, you must bear down and push your child into the world,” the midwife said.

Cecily gritted her teeth as the pain came.

“That’s it. You’re doing well. Not much longer now, Lady Williams,” the midwife said.

Bett encouraged her as well. She could see that Cecily was exhausted and wondered how much more she could handle. “You’re almost done. Then you’ll be holding your sweet baby in your arms.”

“Push, my lady,” the midwife said.

After ten more minutes of pushing, the room was filled with the cries of the newborn. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

“You did it, Lady Williams,” the midwife said. “He’s rather small, but you have a fine son.”

“A son? Where’s Peter?” Cecily asked, collapsing back against the pillows.

“I’m right here, my love,” Peter said, rushing into the room and over to his wife’s side when he heard the newborn cry.

“Peter, darling, we have a son.”

“A son?”

“Yes,” she said as the midwife finished cleaning the child and wrapped him in a soft blanket before handing him to Peter.

The look of wonder on Peter’s face made Bett’s heart ache. She was thrilled for Peter and Cecily, but her thoughts were conflicted. The birth of their healthy child only served to remind her how she’d lost her own babe.

After holding the baby for a minute, Peter handed the child to his wife. “My darling, look at what we’ve created. He’s perfect.”

Cecily smiled through her exhaustion as she gazed at her son. He had a fuzz of light-brown hair and looked at her with bright blue eyes. “Hello, little one. We’ve waited a long time to meet you.”

The baby started to cry, and Cecily looked up with panicked eyes. “What’s wrong with him?”

The midwife came over to her side. “My lady, the child needs to eat. Let me show you how to position him on your breast.”

After showing Cecily how to feed the child, the midwife called Peter over to the side of the room. “Lord Williams, your wife has labored a long time and will need a lot of rest to regain her strength. In my opinion, it would be best if you hired a wet nurse to feed the child while your wife recovers.”

“Thank you. Is there anything else I should know?”

She shook her head. “No. Everything with the birth went well. Contact me immediately if your wife develops a fever. Do not be alarmed if she sleeps a long while. She’s been through quite an ordeal.”

The midwife went back to Cecily and encouraged her to feed the child from both breasts. Bett was amazed at how aggressively the baby suckled.

Cecily looked at her with a contented smile. “Isn’t he beautiful, Bett?”

“Indeed he is. You did well, Cecily. I’m so proud of you.”

Peter joined them at his wife’s bedside. “My darling, the midwife recommends hiring a wet nurse for the babe so you may recover more easily.”

Cecily shook her head. “No. That will not do. I shall nurse my own child.”

Bett had never heard Cecily contradict Peter before. She was proud of her for sticking up for what she wanted.

“Are you sure? I don’t want you to exhaust yourself. You’ll need every ounce of your strength to recover from the birth.”

“Peter, darling, please don’t worry. All will be well with little Stephen James.”

“Stephen? You’re naming him Stephen?” Bett asked with tears in her eyes. It was such a lovely tribute to her late husband, Peter’s brother.

“I hope you’re pleased,” Cecily said.

“It’s a lovely gesture. Thank you for honoring his memory. Now I shall leave you both to enjoy your son,” Bett said.

Cecily held out her hand. “Thank you, Bett. Your presence here made this experience so much more bearable. I don’t know what I’d do without your support.”

Bett kissed Cecily’s cheek. “It was my pleasure. Enjoy your child. I’ll see you again later when you feel up for company,” she said before leaving.

When Bett walked into the family parlor, an overwhelming sadness hit her. That happy family scene should have been hers. Would she ever be able to enjoy the thrill of holding her own child? She could think of no other man but Noah who she’d want as her husband and the father of her child.

She sincerely hoped she would hear from him soon.