“Oh, Noah. Your heir has grown quite large lately and is kicking vigorously.”
He put his hand on her rounded belly. “Hello, little one. We can’t wait to meet you.”
“I do hope it will be soon so I can stop waddling around like a duck,” Bett said.
Noah put his arm around her waist. “My darling, you’re my perfect duck, and I’ve never found you more attractive,” he said, helping her walk toward the parlor doorway.
“How can you say such things?”
He stopped and pulled Bett into his embrace. “Because no matter what you look like, my dear sweet wife, you’ll always be perfect to me.”
Tears pricked the back of Bett’s eyes. “I love you, Noah.”
He lowered his head to capture her lips in a heart-stopping kiss.
When they broke apart, she chuckled. “My darling, I do believe those searing kisses are the reason I’m in my current condition.”
“I cannot help it. You’re irresistible to me,” Noah said, squeezing her tight. “Shall I escort you upstairs for a nap?”
“That would be lovely.”
December was turning out to be colder than normal, but not unbearably so. Bett still loved to take walks, but she found she tired much more easily as her belly grew, so she had to curtail her daily walks.
Two days before Christmastide, she was in the parlor looking out the window at the blanket of freshly fallen snow covering the landscape, giving it a magical feel. A roaring fire pumped out welcome heat that took the chill out of the room as she rubbed her back. She’d been having a lot of pain throughout the day, but it wasn’t too intense, so she hadn’t told anyone.
“Bett, are you here?” Noah asked, walking into the parlor, first looking at the chairs by the fireplace.
“Over here, darling. Come look. Isn’t it beautiful?” she said.
He walked to her side, lifted her chin, and kissed her lips. “Yes, you are.”
She was about to respond when the first pain in her belly hit hard. She groaned as she doubled over.
“Bett, what’s wrong?” Noah asked, panic lacing his voice.
“I do believe your heir is about to make his entrance,” she panted.
“Really? Isn’t it too soon? I thought the child wouldn’t arrive until the new year.”
“Babies come when they want.”
“Let me help you upstairs,” Noah said, supporting her.
The butler was in the foyer, giving instructions to one of the footmen. “Jerrison, send someone to fetch the midwife.”
“Right away, my lord,” the butler said, turning to the footman. “Charles, go quickly now.”
The footman raced down the hallway to do the butler’s bidding.
It took Bett a while to climb the stairs, especially with the pain coming every few minutes. When they finally reached their bedchamber, Noah shouted for her maid. “Lydia, are you here?”
Lydia poked her head out of the adjoining sitting room. “My lord?”
“The child is coming.”
She rushed to Bett’s side. “Come, my lady, let’s get you changed and into bed.”
“My darling, I shall return shortly when you’re settled,” Noah said, kissing her gently.
