This was by far the most unbearable experience he’d ever had.
By God, how he loved her, which was why he refused to leave her side.It was also his reason for begging her to make another attempt at delivering the baby herself.Because the alternative… The risk… Her chance of survival would be slim if Melroy performed a cesarean.
“Please, my love.”He spoke near her ear while trying his best to force back the tears.“Please try again.Just one more time.”
It was a selfish plea considering how exhausted she looked and the pain she was in.He knew she was silently praying for it to be over, by whatever means necessary.But he couldn’t let her give up.Not yet.Not when they still had a lifetime to share with each other.
“For me,” he murmured.“One final attempt and I’ll never ask anything of you again.”
A weary sigh drifted past her lips.Sweat glistened upon her skin and dampened her hair.Evidence of the physically taxing effort she’d already made.But when his gaze met hers, he saw the spark of defiance he loved so well and knew the fire that burned in her soul still remained.
“Yes,” she whispered, her voice hoarse.“For you.”
He knew it was egotistical of him to make her do it.The chance that she’d actually meet with success in her depleted state was slim.But the alternative was worse.
He turned to Doctor Moore, Mr.Melroy, and Mrs.Larkin.“She’s going to try again.”
“You risk losing both motherandchild,” Mrs.Larkin said, her expression critical.
Ignoring her, Adrian squeezed Samantha’s hand while addressing Doctor Moore, whom he trusted.The same could not be said of Mrs.Larkin, whose arrogant manner grated.“Must that woman be present?Can we not manage without her?”
“I’ll have you know that I—”
“Mrs.Larkin, you are no longer required,” said Doctor Moore.“Mr.Melroy and I will handle the situation from here on out.”
“Well,” Mrs.Larkin huffed.“I never.”
“There’s the door,” Lady Marsdale told her.“Now get out.”
Adrian’s eyebrows shot upward.When he directed a look at Lady Marsdale, he saw the blazing fury that burned in her eyes and realized he’d underestimated her.The docile woman he’d always seen her as had been but a part she’d played as Lady Heathbrooke’s companion.In truth, however, she was as fierce as Samantha, ready to fight for those she loved without giving any quarter.
The midwife must have realized she risked ending up in a stranglehold if she didn’t disappear in that instant, so she yanked the door open and left.It slammed shut behind her.
“We need to make the most of this attempt,” Adrian told Doctor Moore while stroking his fingers over Samantha’s head, “for I daresay it shall be her last.If this fails, we’ll have no option but to place her in Melroy’s hands.So figure out how to make this work and tell me what I can do to help.”
“If I may?”asked Melroy.When Adrian gave his nod of approval, the man stepped up to the edge of the birthing bed.Silence ensued while he examined Samantha.And then… “It’s possible the child doesn’t have enough space and that this is working against your wife’s attempts.Especially if the baby is caught against her pelvic bones.”
“Perhaps we should try to turn the child once more,” said Doctor Moore.
“It’s too late for that,” said Melroy.“If you’ll permit, Mr.Croft, I will attempt an episiotomy — an incision that will provide more room for the baby and a greater chance of success.”
“The risk?”
“Relatively low.I’d do it without thinking twice if my wife were in this position.”
Reassured, Adrian glanced at Samantha, who nodded her agreement.Gritting his teeth, he echoed her response, then tried not to look at the various tools that were tucked inside the surgical kit Melroy rolled out on the table the nurses brought over.
Returning his attention to Samantha, Adrian set his mind to helping her through the next part of her ordeal.He prayed, whispered words of endearment, and tried not to let the effect of her suffering show in his voice or his features.
He had to be strong and solid for her.A rock for her to lean on in the midst of this raging storm.Yet as she cried out again, clutching his hand so tight he was certain the bones in his fingers would snap, he had to bite his tongue to stop from cursing the surgeon and the doctor.
They were only trying to help.They weren’t to blame for what had occurred.Whereas he…
Every ounce of loathing he’d ever possessed was directed toward himself in those moments.Lord have mercy, what had he been thinking?After losing his mother in this exact way, one would think he’d have had more sense before cursing another woman with such an ordeal.
Never again.
If Samantha got through this —whenshe got through this – he’d never bed her again.
