Chapter 1
CHAPTER ONE
“Phoebe, how many times have I taught you the recipe for making cold lozenges? How do you forget it every single time?” Helena Swinton joked in exasperation as she stared at her little sister, who was looking at her with an embarrassed smile.
“I am sorry, Helena, I have no idea, I promise. I think it is about time you accept that I do not share your love for medicines, herbs, and treating the sick,” Phoebe answered, not appearing guilty at all.
“I am not asking you to become a midwife or attend to patients like me and Father. I just require your help in making these lozenges for the time being,” Helena said, sounding tired.
Despite their differences in interests, Helena loved her younger sister with all her heart.
The two shared a very unique bond. They had grown closer after their mother’s illness and death, since Helena had taken over the role of a maternal figure in Phoebe’s life quite expertly.
Even now, Phoebe always came to her for advice or gossip, and Helena loved the intimacy they shared.
“Alright, Miss Swinton, your wish is my command,” Phoebe said dramatically, rolling up her tongue to form an accent.
Helena turned to look at her sister and tried to stare at her stoically for two seconds before the two of them burst into a fit of laughter.
They shared a fun-loving and joyous nature, and laughter naturally followed in their footsteps no matter the task at hand.
As the two of them laughed, Phoebe’s hand accidentally touched the glass decanter that contained Spanish licorice.
They stared in horror as the bottle remained in the air for a few seconds before crashing to the floor with a loud, shattering noise.
Helena looked up at Phoebe, who was staring at the mess between their feet with wide eyes.
Her expression of horror was so amusing that Helena couldn’t help breaking into peals of laughter once again.
Phoebe followed right after and the sisters would have looked like a duo of lunatics to anyone who observed them.
“May I know the reason behind this commotion?” Helena turned as their father’s voice met her ears.
Roger Swinton was a tall man with whom Helena shared most of her physical features.
He stood just a little distance away and was staring at the two of them and the mess on the floor with an expressionless face.
“Father, we were just making lozenges when the bottle of Spanish licorice fell,” Helena answered quickly, gaining control over her condition.
Phoebe too stood straight, keeping a hand over her mouth in order to hide the smile that remained adamantly on her lips.
Helena knew that her father was just trying to act stern.
They were a close family and hardly ever took their antics seriously.
“I will deal with you two later,” he said, trying to sound angry but failing miserably. “Helena, Baron Sefield just sent word. His wife has gone into early labor and requires your assistance immediately.”
Helena’s eyes widened at the news and she grew serious immediately.
Baron Sefield had come to the countryside from London purely for the birth of his first child.
He didn’t wish for his wife and unborn child to be subjected to the polluted air in London.
Helena’s reputation as one of the village’s midwives had soared during the past year, and everyone trusted her skills.
The baron had consulted her from the start, and thus far the baroness had had a healthy pregnancy.
Helena had not expected her to go into labor so early, and the news somewhat surprised her.
But like any other midwife, she was always prepared.
“I’ll go there immediately,” Helena said, quickly discarding her apron and throwing it carelessly on the kitchen counter.
“And you, young lady, will clean all of this mess and continue making the lozenges on your own. The recipe is written in the old cookbook,” Helena heard her father instruct Phoebe as she ran towards her room to pick up her medicine satchel.
She made sure that it was always well prepared, as it was quite often that she had to run away for an emergency such as this one.
She quickly surveyed her appearance in the small mirror placed in the living room and noticed that her hair needed a little combing, though she had no time to straighten out her appearance.
Who looks at me anyway? thought Helena uncaringly. She knew that she was appealing to look at, but it didn’t matter to her at all. The only thing she cared about was her patients and how many she could help or save in one day.
“I am leaving, Father,” she shouted as she stepped out into the mid-day sun.
“Best of luck, darling,” she heard her father’s distant voice as she closed the door behind her. The baron lived a little distance from her cottage, in the poshest area of the village. Those houses were usually occupied by barons and knights who resided in London and visited occasionally.
She walked quickly through the marketplace and noticed how almost everyone was out and about. Most of her neighbors had small shops located here, and Helena waved to everyone she knew as she passed by. Interacting with others had never been a problem for her.
The marketplace thinned and the roads grew wider. Helena had delivered several babies and was adept at the task, but premature labor was always risky. She had no idea how the evening would turn out and hoped for the best. Hers could be a tough job, but she was determined to do it with precision.
She finally reached the baron’s door and knocked loudly. The door was opened by Wendy––a girl she knew from the village. Relief overtook Wendy’s features as soon as she laid eyes on Helena.
“Thank the Lord you are here, Helena. Baron Sefield is frantic,” she exclaimed, and Helena couldn’t help but smile at her choice of words. She had no doubt that the baron was worried. It was his first child and he must not have expected any complications.
“Don’t worry, everything will be alright,” Helena said with an uneasy smile as she stepped inside.
She herself wasn’t certain if anything was going to be alright but her job was one that needed both hope and prayers and required confidence.
Being a midwife, she had to be strong and supportive so her patients and their family members could trust her and remain calm.
“Miss Swinton, you are here at last.” The baron’s loud voice met her ears as he descended the staircase and saw Helena standing there.
“How is the baroness?” Helena asked quickly, making her way towards the man. He was an inch or two taller than Helena and had an appealing face. His wife was also a very beautiful lady, and Helena was certain that their child would be blessed with great looks.
“She is in extreme pain but is trying to stay strong. I have no idea what to do and had no choice but to send for you,” he answered and Helena nodded. “Miss Swinton, I beg you to please make sure that both my wife and unborn child are safe.”
Helena noticed the pleading look in his eyes and the worry etched on his brow.
Helena felt sorry for the man, since she knew the turmoil that muse have occupied his heart.
There was no way that Helena could promise safety for both the mother and child.
Childbirth was very unpredictable and matters could go wrong at any time.
Making promises would only put her in a tough position if something went wrong.
“I’ll try my best, my lord. I’ll see that your wife has a comfortable labor,” she answered and quickly made her way upstairs towards the bedroom.
She was anxious, but despite that, her mind was alert.
She had been in the same situation countless times and knew that she could handle this turmoil without any problem at all.
She simply needed to have faith in herself and God.
She took a deep breath before stepping inside the baroness’s bedroom, praying for everything to work in their favor.