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“She’s just having a bad contraction, my lady,” Haley said.
“Isn’t there anything you can give her for the pain?”
“No, I’m sorry, my lady. I wish there was. Mayhap the doctor will be able to when he gets here. Childbirth is just one of those pains we women have to bear. Oh, here comes Mama.”
Elspeth walked briskly back into the parlor. “Mr. Graves said Mr. Bertram left nearly an hour ago in a coach. So the doctor should be along anytime now.”
“Thank God,” Sophie said under her breath. “Did you hear that, Ally? The doctor should be here soon. Hold tight, and hold on to my hand. I promise you I’m not leaving your side.”
Millicent, Ally’s maid, arrived with the linens and toweling. “Let’s get several layers of these linens underneath her. We don’t want her staining this fine Oriental rug.”
“Who bloody cares about the rug?” Sophie cried. “My sister is in pain!”
“I’m sorry, my lady. But I’m sure the earl—”
“The earl will only care that my sister is comfortable and well, I assure you,” Sophie said.
“Yes, I’m sure he will, my lady,” Millicent said. “But it won’t hurt to get some linens under her now, will it?”
Sophie sucked in a breath. She was being rude, and she made a point never to be cross with the help. They were people too. “I’m sorry, Millicent. Please forgive me. I’m just so worried about Ally.”
“I understand, my lady.”
Haley and Elspeth helped Millicent gently move Ally until the linens were underneath her.
“Can you sit up a minute, my lady?” Millicent asked Ally. “We need to get your gown loosened. You’ll be much more comfortable.”
“Just get the damned thing off of me, Millicent,” Ally said through gritted teeth.
Sophie couldn’t help letting out a little laugh. Ally was still Ally, even when in pain.
Sophie continued holding Ally’s hand while the three maids gently moved her, loosening and removing her gown. Ally sat only in her chemise and drawers, which were wet from her waters breaking.
“Shouldn’t we remove her drawers as well?” Haley asked.
“Yes, we probably should. If she starts to deliver before the doctor gets here, they’ll need to be off,” Elspeth said.
Sophie’s body warmed with embarrassment for her sister. Why couldn’t they have gotten her to her chamber? Or at least to a servant’s chamber. Anywhere but the main parlor.
Sophie glanced at Elspeth. She had been with the Brighton estate for decades. “Elspeth, have you ever helped with a birth before?”
“Oh, of course, my lady. I attended the countess herself when she birthed both Lady Miranda and Lord Evan.”
“But there was a doctor there, yes?”
“No, milady. Only a midwife. I assisted her.”
If only a midwife were here. Or a doctor. Or anyone who had delivered a baby, for goodness’ sake.
Elspeth gently removed Ally’s drawers.
And gasped.
Sophie’s heart leaped. “What is it, Elspeth?”
Elspeth’s lips trembled. “Lady Alexandra is crowning.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
