Chapter 6 #3
A sob tore from Iseabail’s lips as she fell back onto the pillows and held her hands out for her son. Phoebe wiped away the sweat from her friend’s forehead and then sat down next to her as the midwife brought the baby to Iseabail.
“He’s absolutely gorgeous,” Phoebe said as she swiped at the tears escaping down her cheeks.
Iseabail laughed as she cried, “He’s the ugliest, most adorable child I’ve ever seen in my life.”
“Have you thought about what you’re going to name him?” asked Phoebe.
“Yes. I’m going to name him after his father and his grandfathers. Edward Xavier Blair Hancock.”
Phoebe smiled and more tears fell down her cheeks. “Nithesdale would be so proud.”
The midwife helped Iseabail place the baby at her breast, and the new Duke of Nithesdale nudged around before latching on and beginning to suckle.
“I didn’t realize you planned to nurse your baby,” Phoebe said.
“My mother breastfed every one of her daughters, except for Robina. It was a bond that she said could never be replaced. And once you get to know my youngest sister, you will understand how she seems a bit lost without the experience. Since Xavier will be my only child, I will not let him feel that loss.”
“You don’t know Xavier will be your only child.”
Iseabail smiled down at her son, but there was a deep sadness that accompanied it. “Without his father, I cannot imagine having another. Now, if you could go down and tell Forrester the good news, I would be in your debt.”
“Do you think he’s still here? He was gone when I came back from changing.”
Iseabail gazed down at her son, a sense of wonder and heartbreak visible in her expression. “Forrester was more nervous than all of us combined. He needs to know that he will represent the Duke of Nithesdale for decades to come.”
“I don’t think that was his first concern, do you?”
Iseabail shook her head, but couldn’t take her eyes off her newborn son. “No, he is too good of a man for that, and that is why he will always represent this family.”
Phoebe leaned over and kissed her friend’s forehead before leaving the room and heading downstairs to the drawing room.
She wasn’t sure if Joshua was still at the castle, but if he was, she wanted to be the one to give him the good news.
She pushed open the door to the drawing room and found the fire had burned down in the fireplace.
The candle on the small writing desk was extinguished, and only the glow of the embers from the fire illuminated the room.
She looked toward the chair in the corner and found Joshua with his head back and his mouth slightly ajar.
He was no longer wearing the soiled great coat and undercoat he had been wearing when he ascended the steps carrying Iseabail.
His cravat was gone and his shirt sleeves were rolled up.
He was the most tempting sight she had seen in her entire life.
She walked over and whispered so that she did not startle him. “Joshua, are you awake?”
Unfocused eyes blinked up at her, and it took a moment for recognition to set in.
His lips closed and he sat up, brushing a hand through his hair.
He looked around the room and suddenly became aware of his surroundings.
Then he stood up and wrapped her in his arms. “My apologies, darling. I did not mean to fall asleep. How is Her Grace?”
“Don’t you mean, how is His Grace?”
Joshua frowned, his brows drawing together until the meaning of her words sunk in and a brilliant but sleepy smile lit up his face. “It’s a boy?”
“Edward Xavier Blair Hancock was born about thirty minutes ago.”
“And Her Grace, she’s doing well?”
“She is perfect.”
“She told me it was a boy. I just didn’t think things would work out so well for her. I mean, I had hoped that they would, but I’ve been surrounded by so much bad news of late, I guess I just didn’t have faith in it.”
It was Phoebe’s turn to frown. “What bad news?”
He stepped away from her and ran a hand over his face. “The reason I came to Caerlaverock in the first place was to ask you to accompany me to Astley’s estate in Hawick.”
“Now? I can’t go now. You know I can’t leave Iseabail. She needs me. Why in the world would I possibly leave her during the holidays when she just gave birth?”
“Because I know the Countess of Astley was good to you during your first season and she’s going to need you now more than ever.”
The deep sense of calm she’d been feeling moments ago slipped into foreboding at the serious tone of his voice.
It could only mean one thing. “Astley? Is he…?” She couldn’t say the words because the Earl of Astley was the most irksome, obnoxious, joyous and fun-loving person she’d ever met.
He’d also been responsible for saving the young life of Iseabail’s sister when bandits ambushed her and her husband on their honeymoon.
Caillen’s husband had not survived the attack and it had taken Caillen months to recover.
Forrester shook his head. “He’s not dead, at least not that I know of, but he’s been kidnapped by the French and is being held for ransom by Napoleon himself.”