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“Because it’s your first,” he said soothingly. “But it’s coming.”
“Where is Piers?” It felt like a wail. She hoped it didn’t sound that way.
“We’ll summon him as soon as the babe is born.”
If it ever is...
***
DAWN HAD BROKEN BEFORE, with what seemed like the last push of which she was capable, she heard the cries of, “It’s a boy! You have a son!”
They seemed to come from very far away, yet her arms were lifting of their own volition, reaching for the child in wordless need. And terror at the silence.
Then she heard it, a thin cry of need—or rage—and a bundle wrapped in towel and shawl was thrust into her waiting arms.
“There you are,” she whispered to the scrunched up little prune-face. Tears coursed down her cheeks. She wanted to ask if he was well and healthy, but the words wouldn’t come. “Bring Piers,” she pleaded.
“Of course. But you should rest now. Piers will be here when you—” Dr. Laine broke off, no doubt at the look she gave him.
“Where is he?”
“We don’t actually know,” Dr. Laine admitted. “His valet has gone to find him.”
“You mean he didn’t come home last night?”
“What do you expect?” Hortensia said with contempt. “It’s not the sort of responsibility men can handle at the best of times. And Piers was never one for responsibility in the first place.”
Words of indignant denial fell over each other before they could reach April’s lips. All that came out was, “He wouldn’t stay out. He wouldn’t. Something is wrong.”
“What are you doing?” Hortensia demanded in outrage.
With vague surprise, April realized she was untying the ribbons of her night gown and holding the tiny baby to her breast. She had seen it done in a lot less salubrious surroundings than here in Petteril House.
“I’m feeding him. And then I’m going to find Piers.”
“You most certainly are n—”
“Feed the child by all means,” Dr. Laine said hastily, adding to Hortensia, “Lady Petteril has chosen not to employ a wet nurse at this time. But when the baby is fed, my lady, you must sleep. Others will fetch Piers home. He probably fell asleep at Haggs’s place.”
Haggs was Piers’s closest friend, Sir Peter Haggard, who was still in town, probably because Hortensia and her daughter Gussie were. Either way, it made sense that Piers had walked round there. He would return directly.
In the meantime, the baby latched and sucked with surprising strength for a creature so very small and new. April watched him in wonder, though his eyes were still closed.
“He seems perfect,” Dr. Laine said gently. “I’ll examine him more thoroughly when I return. If you wish.”
“Thank you,” April whispered, trying to smile.
She had always imagined she and Piers would share these first moments, whether in grief or in happiness. Exhausted as she was, his absence took the edge off her happiness. In fact, she felt just a little...desolate.
He would not be here if something terrible happened to the baby, as it still could, and she was suddenly so tired she...
She started awake. Ruby Field, the new nursery maid whom they had only just engaged, meaning to take her down to Haybury Court with them, was looming over her. The woman tried to lift the baby from April’s arms. Reflexively, April resisted and then, since the child was fast asleep, she gave a quick smile of apology and released him. Ruby laid him in the cradle which she had set next to the bed.
“Shall I take him away, my lady?” she asked.
“No! No, leave him there...”
***
