Bett could only nod as another pain hit her midsection. She was trying to put on a brave face, but this one was the worst, and she groaned loudly.
Lydia got her settled in bed, and it wasn’t too long before the midwife arrived. Thankfully, the snow wasn’t deep, and the carriage was able to travel to the manor without too much trouble.
Bett labored through the rest of the afternoon and into the night. Noah had stayed with her, trying to be encouraging and wiping her face with a cool cloth, but there wasn’t much else he could do.
“My darling, my brave girl,” he said, wiping her face. “You’re doing well. I shall return in a few moments.”
Bett felt a moment of panic as Noah left the room, but the midwife was very encouraging. However, by the time midnight was nearing, Bett was exhausted.
“Lady Harrison, I know you’re tired, but your child is nearly here, and you must push,” the midwife said.
“I cannot. It’s too much. I want my husband. Where is he?”
“Men don’t usually attend the birth, my lady.”
“I don’t care. I need him,” she said as her body convulsed with another painful contraction.
The midwife turned to Bett’s maid. “Go find Lord Harrison. Tell him to come quickly.”
“Yes, mistress,” the maid said, rushing out of the room.
Within moments, Noah was by her side. “I’m here, my love. Squeeze my hand when the next pain hits.”
“Push, my lady,” the midwife said again.
Bett squeezed Noah’s hand as she pushed once again.
“That’s it. One more big push, and the child will be here.”
When the next contraction hit, Bett did as the midwife instructed and was rewarded with the cries of a newborn.
“It’s a healthy girl, a little small, but perfect, my lady,” the midwife said, cleaning the child.
Bett looked at Noah, who wore a huge smile on his face. The midwife wrapped the child and handed her to him.
“She’s beautiful,” he said, staring at the tiny pink face. He kissed the baby’s head before giving her to Bett.
“Hello, my sweet girl,” she said before looking at Noah. “Are you disappointed it’s not a boy?”
“Not at all, my darling. She’s perfect.”
As Bett stared in wonder at her daughter, another pain hit, surprising everyone. “What’s happening?” she cried.
“Take the child,” the midwife said to the maid. “Lady Harrison, another babe is on the way.”
“Another?” Noah asked.
“Yes. Now, my lady, push!” the midwife said.
It didn’t take long for the second baby to be born, but the child wasn’t crying, and an eerie silence hung over the room.
“What’s going on?” Bett cried. “Why isn’t the baby crying?”
The midwife didn’t answer as she rubbed the child vigorously.
“Please, tell me what’s happening. Is the baby alive?” Bett asked, panicked.
Everyone held their breath until, a moment later, the baby started to cry.
