A Scandalous Marriage by Cathy Maxwell Page B

while, you made me hope she’d make it, but she won’t. The baby’s not right.”
    “What do you mean, ”not right“? I felt it move.”
    Old Edith ignored his question, lost in her own thoughts. “Aye, but she was a bonny lass and was always kind to me. Some people aren’t kind to those of us who aren’t as lovely to look at, you ken?”
    “We can’t lose her,” Devon repeated. He’d rather have a thousand shards of glass pushed into his body than accept what Old Edith was telling him.
    “It happens, my lord,” she whispered sloppily. “It happens.”
    In the other room, Leah called to him.
    “Have a wee nip, my lord. I’m going to give the lass a bit. Help her relax. It’s a slow death.”
    Devon couldn’t think. He couldn’t breathe. Suddenly he couldn’t even stand being in the cottage. He threw open the front door and ran out into the rain, slamming the door behind him.
    It was darker than Hades outside. The storm seemed to drive right through him. Raising his fists to the heavens, he shouted, “No!” Once was not enough. He yelled it over and over until the air rang with his denial.
    He lowered his arms. Rivulets of water ran down his face, over his shoulders, along the line of his back.
    He couldn’t let her die.
    He wasn’t going to lose her again.
    Even if it meant fighting the devil himself.
    Devon returned to the cottage. Old Edith was in with Leah. He overheard her trying to get Leah to drink from a cup. The two bedroom candles cast an eerie light around the room. Their flames danced as he closed the door.
    He picked up a towel from the stack Old Edith had brought with her and dried himself off.
    “Devon?” Leah called to him. Deep circles underlined her eyes. Her face was pale and waxy.
    He stood in the doorway, feeling very much like a madman. “We’re going to have this baby, Leah. I’m going to help you. We’ll do it together.”
    He nodded to the midwife. “Edith, put that cup down and take your position at the foot of the bed. I’ll hold Leah up while she pushes, and if you have to reach inside of her like a farmer would a calf, then do it. You pull that baby out of her. Do you understand?”
    “Yes, my lord,” she answered, a slight tremor in her voice. “But I can’t see. It’s too dark.”
    “Then place a candle on the floor where you can see,” he snapped.
    Old Edith scurried to do his bidding. Devon gathered Leah up in his arms. “Do you understand what we are going to do? You must be brave, Leah. You must use all your courage.”
    “Devon,” she whispered. “When you ran out, I grew so afraid.”
    “But I’m here now.”
    She nodded, almost too weak to respond.
    “Are you ready, Edith?”
    “Aye, my lord.”
    He leaned his mouth close to Leah’s ear. “Come now. You can do it. You’ve already given up so much for this child. Let’s bring him into the world.”
    His words were the impetus she needed. From a place he could only imagine, she found the strength to try again. Her body strained with the force of her pushing. Her face contorted.
    Old Edith shouted encouragement. “Come on now. Bring that bairn out. You can do it, lass. You’re strong, healthy. Push!”
    And yet the baby would not come.
    Leah collapsed, exhausted.
    “It has to happen,” Old Edith muttered. “She can’t go on much longer.”
    “Let’s shift her,” Devon said, desperately. “Change her position.” He’d seen it work with the horse.
    “Aye. Lift her up higher.”
    Devon climbed up on the bed. He braced her back against his chest, placing his hands on her thighs, spreading them. He didn’t think of her nakedness. Her body was for a different purpose now. He raised her up.
    “Wait,” Old Edith said and attempted to feel the baby. Her expression broke into a grin. “His head! I touched the bairn!” Her voice betrayed a hope that had been missing earlier. “The babe has a bonny head of hair!”
    Leah was weary. She nodded, acknowledging Old Edith’s