Chapter Four #4
“Flaherty has a strong constitution—all of the men do,” Lady Phoebe said as they passed by several rooms. “They are all hardheaded. Mark my words, he will be demanding to return to his duties by morning, although Dr. Higgins will have warned him to ease into things a fortnight from now…or at the very least a sennight.” She let her maid open the door.
“Thank you, Beth. Isn’t this a lovely room?
We have set it up in anticipation of our babe. ”
Pippa was surprised to see four cradles and four rocking chairs. She was about to question the baroness, but Millie asked first: “How many babes are you carrying?”
The baroness laughed. “It would be my luck to have twins, after I teased my brother mercilessly about the possibility that my sister-in-law was carrying their twins.”
“I see,” Millie said. “It appears that you are preparing for future children.”
“And for O’Malley’s and Garahan’s wives when they deliver a few months after me.
They spend time with Percy and Phineas, the twins who are currently living with us, and it would make their lives, and mine, so much easier if their babes were tucked in our nursery.
Besides, it is so lovely to have women my age to converse with.
Then there is the possibility that we will have overnight guests.
Jared and Persephone have their twins who are walking and talking and into everything.
My brother Edward and his wife Aurelia have a son who is holding on to things, about to test his legs.
Then there is Calliope and William, whose son was born around the same time as Edward and Aurelia’s. ”
Pippa knew she had to say what was on her mind. “I imagine it would be lovely to have family and friends stay as your guests. Millie and I are not truly guests.”
Lady Phoebe shook her head. “We are always ready to receive guests—whether by invitation or necessity. Please do not give it another thought.” She turned back to Millie.
“Let me show you where we keep the supply of clouts.” The baroness walked over to one of the chests of drawers, opening the top drawer.
“My sister-in-law changed Richard and Abigail in their cradle. I thought to do the same.” Lady Phoebe studied Millie with a critical eye.
“You’re quite pale. Beth, why don’t you stay with Millie while Pippa enjoys a good, long soak? ”
Pippa could not help but worry about Millie, now that the baroness had pointed out how pale her friend looked.
As if she could read Pippa’s mind, Lady Phoebe continued, “While you’re gone, Millie will make herself comfortable in one of the rocking chairs. Persephone has a pair in her nursery. When I discovered I was expecting, I asked Marcus to procure a few for me.”
“It sounds as if you speak from experience,” Millie said.
“I helped take care of Richard and Abigail right after they were born,” Lady Phoebe replied. “Persephone was exhausted, and I was happy to step in and rock, change, and soothe my niece and nephew.”
“I am so very glad that Flaherty brought us to you,” Millie rasped. “Somehow ‘thank you’ does not seem to be enough.”
“It is absolutely enough. Now, please do sit down. You must realize that you need as much rest as possible, to recover from your lying in. Surely your midwife warned you about overdoing things and the serious issues, possibly life-threatening, that can arise. Would you want to take a chance that someone else would be raising your son?”
Millie frowned. “I would not. It is the reason we are even here. Do you think I have done irreparable damage to Roarke?” She did not wait for anyone to respond before adding, “But we had no choice—”
The baroness placed her arm around Millie’s back and led her to one of the rocking chairs. “Sit.”
Millie obliged.
Lady Phoebe studied her for a moment before asking, “Would you be willing to meet with Dr. Higgins? All things considered, I would feel better if he spoke with you—though if you’d rather, we could ask one of the midwives instead.”
“Thank you, your ladyship. I expected to feel tired, but am more concerned about my son. Could Dr. Higgins examine him, too?”
“Of course. He may still be on the estate—one of the tenant farmer’s sons fell out of a tree early this morning. I shall ask Timmons to have Dr. Higgins stop here on his way back to the village.”
“Thank you, your ladyship. It would ease my mind,” Millie admitted.
The baroness smiled and turned to Pippa. “Before the physician arrives, there are a few things I’d like to speak to you about. Mind if I keep you company while you bathe?”
From the tone of the baroness’s voice, Pippa had a feeling the woman had questions she did not want Millie to overhear.
“I would like that. Thank you, your ladyship.” She reminded Millie that she would just be a few doors down the hall, squeezed her friend’s hand, and followed Lady Phoebe out of the room.
Once they were alone, Lady Phoebe’s expression changed to one of determination. “I need to know everything you can tell me about Millie’s brother-in-law.”
Pippa nodded. “He is a braggart and a bully.”
“I suspected as much, but it sounds as if he is also a blackguard. No man should ever browbeat, let alone threaten, a woman, especially one who is expecting. I have yet to meet the man, and I dislike him intensely!”
“You will feel even more dislike for him when I tell you more of what he has put my dear friend through.”
The baroness entered the guest room and walked over to the bellpull in the corner. “One of the upstairs maids should be along in a moment to help you into the tub. I’m not supposed to be lifting anything—or anyone.”
Pippa could not help but relax the more she was in the baroness’s company. A short while later, she undressed and sank into the comfort of the copper slipper tub. Pippa sighed as the heather-scented hot water eased some of the aches and pains that had started to appear.
An hour later, she was dressed in a fresh chemise and gown the color of a ripe peach, accompanying the baroness to the nursery.
They arrived just before the physician was announced and introduced.
“I was planning to stop back to check on Flaherty after I tended to the Masterson boy. The men in the duke’s guard do not seem to understand the concept of ‘rest and recuperate.’ Now then, Mrs. Trentchester, why don’t I examine your son first? ”
Millie’s relief was palpable. “Thank you, Dr. Higgins, but he’s asleep.”
The doctor nodded. “As is to be expected with a newborn. It will afford me the chance to hear how his lungs are working when he cries.”
By the time the physician was finished examining Roarke, Millie was swaying on her feet. Dr. Higgins said, “You need to be in bed—immediately! Did your midwife speak to you about complications if you overexerted yourself after giving birth?”
Pippa put her arm around her friend. “I was there, Dr. Higgins. She did, but we had no choice but to leave immediately for the safety of Millie and her babe.”
“Flaherty mentioned safety was the issue for your journey. I would suggest the same diet and rest I have already recommended to his lordship and yourself, Lady Phoebe, after you give birth.” The doctor paused to nod at the baroness, then turned back to continue with his instructions.
“I cannot stress how important rest is for a new mother. It may take a fortnight, possibly longer, to regain your strength, Mrs. Trentchester. And that means no lifting and staying off your feet as much as possible. Is that clear?”
“How will I take care of my son?” Millie asked.
“I will help,” Pippa offered.
“As will Caro, Prudence, and I,” the baroness added. “Now then, is it too soon for Millie to soak in a hot tub?”
“Yes. Sponge baths until you are up and about and we are certain the danger of hemorrhaging is past. I shall be checking in on you—with your permission, Mrs. Trentchester.”
“Yes, of course, thank you, but about your fee—”
“Leave that to me to discuss,” the baroness interrupted. “You are to rest and do exactly as Dr. Higgins prescribed.”
“I will, thank you, doctor. Thank you, your ladyship.”
“Pippa will accompany you to your room.”
“Is it far from the nursery?” Millie asked.
“I will have one of the footmen carry a cradle to your room and set it up right next to your bed.” Lady Phoebe gave the bellpull a tug. “I’ll have Beth gather everything you need for your babe and bring it to your room shortly.”
Millie’s eyes welled with tears, and Pippa wished the bully who’d put her very good friend in this position were here right now—she’d kick him in the backside!
“I cannot thank you enough, Lady Phoebe,” Millie said.
“Nonsense—it is a pleasure to offer whatever we have to you. We have in the past, and will continue to do so for anyone in need. I am so happy to be able to help you, Millie. You are so fortunate in your friendship with Pippa. Now then, Beth will be along in a few moments, as will the cradle. Go get settled in.”
A short while later, Millie was tucked into bed with Roarke sound asleep in the cradle beside her. Pippa listened to the soothing sound of Millie’s quiet breaths, and the babe’s snuffling and sighing as he slept.
She needed to come up with a plan to divert Trentchester, should he be bold enough to show his face here at Summerfield Chase. Given his previous treatment of Millie, the heinous threats, Pippa had no doubt he would.
She kept vigil over Millie and her babe, vowing to do whatever she had to in order to keep them safe, healthy, and happy. While she watched, she prayed Millie would not succumb to a fever, or what Pippa feared most—hemorrhage.
The one thing Pippa prayed and wished for with all her heart was to bring Millie’s husband back from the dead. But that, she could not do.