Page 69 of The Highlander’s Tempting Touch

“Och, nay wonder ye’re terrified. I would be, had I been havin’ such nightmares since I was a wee lass.” Catriona shook her head. “I think I can guess, ‘twas a difficult birth?”

“Aye. Faither never told me all o’ it, but there was a storm, and the healer wasnae there. And nay one else kent,” Niamh’s throat closed on the words, a tear sliding down her face.

Catriona held her as she cried, then washed her face with damp cloth, suffused with some soothing floral blend that made her cheeks and eyes feel less hot and achy. Then the healer gave her a tisane to calm her emotions. Once Niamh had calmed, Catriona removed her apron and held out her hand. “Come with me.”

Niamh stood. “Where are we going?”

“Tae join the others, the elder ladies, in the sewing room. I could tell ye about childbirth in this clan, but I think ye need tae hear more than what I tell ye.” Catriona smiled softly. ‘This clan has a way o’ doin things that I think ye’ll find comforting.”

Since Sorcha had suggested speaking to Moira as well, Niamh was willing enough to join the healer in the trek to the sewing room. Many of the older ladies of the castle were already there, busy working. Moira was among them, and she smiled warmly as Niamh entered. “Me lady Niamh. Welcome! We werenae expecting ye ‘til after the noon meal.”

“I changed me mind.” Niamh tok up her own dress and began to work. It was coming along well, and she was confident she’d be able to finish before Samhain. “I was speaking tae Catriona about something, and she suggested I speak tae ye about it. All o’ ye.” She glanced around, flushing slightly as she realized everyone else was listening, for they all appeared to be focused on their sewing.

“Well, certain sure, ye can ask whatever ye need, me lady. Never fear that.” Moira smiled and reached out to pat her knee in a comforting manner. “What is it that troubles ye?”

“I… me maither died in childbirth. Me birth. There was nay healer, and a storm. But ever since I learned that… I…” her words faltered. “I’ve been terrified that I’d share her fate.”

“’Twill never happen. Nae as long as ye’re among kith and kin here in MacDuff Clan.” Moira shook her head, and a chorus of agreement echoed from the other ladies. “We have a tradition here, tae make sure nae lass is ever in such straits.”

Niamh’s heart leaped. “Ye dae?”

“Aye.” Moira nodded. “Even if Catriona is called tae another place, which I doubt Laird MacDuff would abide if his wife was near her time, ye’d never be alone.”

“I wouldnae?”

“Nae at all. Ye see, we ken that midwives and healers oft have many demands on their time. ‘Tis also well kent that children come intae the world on their own time, and their own pace. Bearin’ can be quick or slow, ye ken. Therefore, ‘tis tradition that when a lass o’ MacDuff or their kin clans nears her time tae bear a child, all the ladies who have born their own bairns gather taegether and prepare tae offer watch and assistance.”

Moira indicated Shannon. “I was there tae aid with her firstborn, and her second, and she aided me with me second and third. And both o’ us were there fer Eileen and Rose’s first.”

Eileen nodded. “And all o’ us were there for Lady Catriona’s bairn, fer all she’s a healer and tried tae give us orders in between every breath.”

Catriona gave a mock scowl as a ripple of teasing laughter filled the air. “Aye… laugh if ye like.” She turned back to Niamh. “’Tis more than just the company. Every woman has seen different aspects o’ childbirth. ‘Tis rare tae encounter a problem that at least one woman among the assembled hasnae seen and found some solution tae.”

“Aye. We’ve seen every difficulty a woman can get intae. And most o’ us have helped with the birthin’ o’ livestock as well, which is even more difficult some days.” Rose said. “A bairn isnae so hard as a colt or a lamb, born breach.”

“An’ never mind twins.” Shannon nodded. “There’s a different matter entirely, but I’ve seen three sets born in me time, an’ the mother survived every time.”

Niamh nodded. “But I’ve heard… if there’s too much bleedin’... I’ve heard, if the woman is small and the bairn is large…”

“Och, can be a difficulty then, but there are herbs tae relax the body fer lettin’ the bairn come intae the world, and others fer stemmin’ the blood, and remedies tae reduce the trouble a lass might have. An’ if the birth’s tae be like that, likely as nae, every woman within a half-mark’s ride has been told, and will be there tae help.”

“Aye.” Moira nodded. “I’ve seen a woman suffer the tearin’. A lass from a village over, I think. But it was stopped well enough, though ‘twas long afore the village healer let her out o’ bed.”

“And…” Rose hesitated, then continued. “I hesitate tae mention it, but I’ve heard the witch o’ the Western Glen has remedies tae aid in a safe birth, if yer truly afeared.”

“Aye. She does, I suspect.” Eileen’s face was solemn and a trifle uneasy, but also thoughtful. “She’s a strange one, an’ tis right tae be wary o’ her, but I’ve never heard she refused an honest plea from those as need it. I ken that Laird MacDuff has some disagreement with her, for her sister was the laird’s previous betrothed, but I dinnae think she’d scorn tae help ye, if ye were in dire need.”

Niamh nodded, remembering Sorcha’s words and kindness during her visit. It seemed a shame that the people were so wary of her, but then perhaps Sorcha preferred it that way.

Moira reached out and touched Niamh’s hand gently. “What I think Lady Catriona wants ye tae ken, me lady, is this: here in MacDuff, ye’ll never be alone.”

Shannon nodded. “’Tis a tragedy, what happened tae yer maither, me lady, and ‘tis true that sometimes birthin’ daesnae end well. But ‘tis much more unlikely it ‘twill happen here. Ye’re one o’ us, and so long as ye remain with our clan, ye’ll hopefully never have tae face such a terrible thing.”

Niamh nodded. “I thank ye. I’ve been so worried.”

“Well, nae one faults ye fer it.” Moira patted her hand again. “But remember this me lady - there’s nae barrier o’ rank or age when it comes tae bringin’ a bairn intae the world. All women are equal then, and we all help each other. And when yer time comes, and ye find yerself in need o’ yer sisters in motherhood, we’ll be with ye, from the day ye ken the babe quickens in yer womb, till the day they come intae the world, and after.”

“Thank ye.” Niamh’s response was soft, choked by the tightness in her throat, but heartfelt nonetheless.