Captain Of Her Heart (34 page)

“Yes.”  Yet his wife looked worse in his estimation, but he knew not to tell her as much.  “I think that one has passed.”

“Are you sure this is right?”  He glanced at Miss Phipps and then the huge four-poster.  “I thought the whole process occurred in bed.”

“The doctor will determine that, Cap’n.  But her ladyship has quite a journey ahead of her.”  The housekeeper cast him a half-smile.  “Trust me, it will be much easier for Lady Alex, and hasten the labor, if she remains upright.  Help her walk, sir.  Her ladyship must stay afoot.”

All manner of weird scenarios flashed in his brain, and Jason blanched.  What if his bride rushed her fences?  Would his children drop to the floor, on their tender heads?  And his wife’s current position seemed to amplify her travails.  Yet, as the man, his chief responsibility in such circumstances was to sit in his study and consume mass quantities of brandy, according to the edicts of polite society.  But Jason was no damned nobleman, so he resolved to write his own rules.

“Where is the bloody doctor?”  He soaked a cloth in cool water.  “How long has Tom been gone?”

“He departed more than four hours ago, sir.”  Molly drew a wayward curl from Alex’s face, as he wiped the perspiration from his bride’s brow.  “I expected their arrival, long before now.  I know not what keeps them.”

“Perhaps I should go after the eminent Dr. Studly.”  The mere prospect of that young dandy touching Alex spiked Jason’s temper.

“Do not leave me.  Please, I beg you, do not leave me.”  With a vise-like clamp on his fingers, his wife wrenched him.  “Jason, I am frightened.”

“I am not going anywhere, love.”  In that instant, he had never felt so helpless, so utterly useless, in his life.  So he slipped his arm about her shoulders and provided succor.  “We will get through this, together.”

A subtle flinch signaled an impending contraction.  Alex tensed, clenched her jaw, thrust her chin, and the muscles flexed in her neck, in an ominous display of distress.

Jason wanted to cry.

“Make it stop.”  Panting, she scrunched her face.  “I can take no more.”

“Lean on me, darling.”  He cradled her head.

“Lean on you?”  Alex snorted.  “That is what got me here.  Touch me again, come at me with the Jolly Roger at full salute, and I shall chop it off.  I swear I will.”

In light of the raucous outburst, Miss Phipps chuckled, and Molly averted her stare.  And just as quick, Alex reversed course, clutched his arm, and rested against his chest.  Hell, after what he had endured the past four hours, he considered moving into separate quarters.  Given the brutality of the so-called miracle of life, he might never resume marital relations.

“Keep her ladyship walking, Cap’n.”  The housekeeper humphed and shuffled her feet.  “Else it will be more difficult.”

“As you wish.”  As Alex moaned and groaned, he led her on a tour about their bedchamber.

Around and around, they navigated the master suite, and with each successive revolution, he marked the path of the sun’s rays across the carpet, until nothing remained but a sliver of gold on the horizon.  At last, Dr. Studly strolled into the room.

“Good evening, Captain and Mrs. Collingwood.”  The physician placed his black bag at the foot of the four-poster, doffed his hat and coat, and rolled up his sleeves.  “How does our expectant mother fare?”

Alex vented a woeful whimper.

“Where in bloody hell have you been?”  The perfumed physician sparked Jason’s ire.  “My wife has languished for hours.”

“Her water broke, this morning, after your earlier visit, Dr. Studly.”  Molly wrung her fingers.  “And her contractions are quite close.”

“Excellent.”  With unimpaired aplomb, the physician washed his hands and then prepared the tools of his trade.  “Relax, Captain.  There was an accident at the Miller farm, and I have been stitching wounds and setting broken bones, since before noon.  Please, help her ladyship into bed, so I may check her progress.”

In a flash, Jason scooped Alex into his arms and eased her to the mattress.  “There’s a girl.”

“That will be all.”  Dr. Studly snatched a large towel from the side table and spread it atop the counterpane.  “You may retire to your study, and I shall send for you, once the babes are born and bathed.”

Jason—
no
.”  His terrified bride caught the folds of his cravat and well nigh choked him.

“Hush, darling.”  He loosened the neck cloth, swallowed hard, and shook his head.  “As I already promised you, I am not going anywhere.”

“Captain Collingwood, I must protest.  The ladies may remain, as I require their assistance, but I must examine her ladyship.”  Dr. Studly arched a brow.  “The birthing room is no place for a husband.”

Alex blared.

“Then I suggest you adjust to the changing circumstance, because I am staying with my wife.”  Wild horses could not drag Jason from her side.  He had disappointed her in so many ways, and he would not fail her now.

Alex wailed.

“Suit yourself, as I have no time to argue the point.”  The young doctor commenced his inspection and assessment.  “But if you insist on lingering, then I would make use of you.”

“Tell me what to do, and I am at your service.”  Of course, he knew not what that encompassed, but Jason had survived numerous battles in the heat of war, so childbirth could not have been that bad.

Alex shrieked.

“Get behind her ladyship, and cradle her body with yours.  When I give the command for her to push, you must be unfailing in your support and encouragement.”  To Molly and Miss Phipps, Dr. Studly said, “Ladies, hold her legs.  And if any of you feel faint or believe you are sick at your stomach, for heaven’s sake, step away from the bed.”

“I beg your pardon.”  Jason took offense to such characterization.  “As I am a navy man, I am no stranger to blood or injuries.  I assure you, I am no namby-pamby fop.”

Alex screeched.

“So you say, Captain.”  Dr. Studly laughed.  “But pain is an altogether different matter, when the suffering party is one we love.  However, you may retire the field, without shame, if necessary.”

Just then, his wife clawed at his arms and screamed, and Jason feared he might swoon.  The ensuing hour passed in a haze of panic and frustration, as Alex emitted one gut-wrenching cry after another and shed a tidal wave of tears.

“Hold her steady, Captain.”  In the candlelight, beads of perspiration glistened on his brow, as the physician positioned himself between her legs.  “All right, your ladyship. 
Push
.”

With a long, drawn out groan, his amazing bride tensed and gritted her teeth, and Jason whispered praise in her ear.

“I can see the babe.”  Dr. Studly grabbed another towel.  “Push, my lady.  Give it everything you can muster.”

“Come on, love.”  Jason braced and willed his strength into her feminine frame.  “You can do it, my brave Alex.”

For a scarce second, time stood still, as she froze, with her mouth open in a silent scream.  An eerie quiet fell over the bedchamber—until an unholy bellow rent the air.

Misty-eyed, Jason choked up, as his heir entered the world.  And in true Collingwood fashion, his son let loose an impressive squall, as Miss Phipps scurried forward to claim him.

“He is beautiful, Alex.”  Jason peered at his incredible wife and discovered she had fainted.

“Good God, revive her.”  Dr. Studly tossed a bag of smelling salts at Jason.  “Hurry.  Your second child arrives, even now.”

“But would it not be easier if she slept through it?”  Jason retrieved the salts.

“Are you out of your mind?”  The physician assumed his position.  “
Do it, man
.  Else your other babe will die.”

At that point, Jason had not hesitated.  As her eyelids fluttered, Alex moaned and reached for him.

“How is my baby?”  She sucked in a breath.

“We have a fine son, sweetheart.”  He kissed her temple.  “Now be strong, love.  As we have one more on the way.”

“I can’t do it.”  She wept.  “I simply—” Her shrill wail reverberated throughout the master suite.

Blood stained the white towels, and Jason shuddered.

“All right.”  Dr. Studly dragged his shirtsleeve across his face.  “Push, your ladyship.”

And so the nightmare began again.

Instead of the thirteen hours Alex had already labored, things moved with amazing swiftness.  His second son came into being much the same as the first, with a thunderous roar, and Molly took him into her care.

“Thank you, Alex.”  Jason gazed on his offspring with pride, then studied his wife and realized she had again swooned.  Relief mixed with gratitude, yet he could not translate his emotions into words.  “Should I wake her, Dr. Studly?”

“Not this time, as her work is done.”  The physician tended Alex.  “Her ladyship is in excellent condition, so I shall examine the children and take my leave.”

“I am in your debt, Dr. Studly.”  Jason focused on his bride.  Damp brown ringlets hung limp about her brow and emphasized her pale skin and the dark circles beneath her eyes.  But in that moment, Jason thought she had never looked lovelier.  In her ear, he whispered, “I am so proud of you, darling.  You have made me so happy.”

“Cap’n, I would like to bathe her ladyship and change the linens.  Molly guards the babes in the nursery, if you wish to visit them.”  Miss Phipps smiled.  “And might I suggest you get some rest?”

“I will, Gertie.”  He claimed a kiss, before relinquishing his wife.

Rubbing the back of his neck, Jason strolled into the hall.  At the door to the nursery, he met Dr. Studly.

“You have two strapping sons, Captain Collingwood.”  The physician extended a hand, and they shared a vigorous shake.  “Must take after their father.”

“You are too kind.”  Jason chuckled.

“And they are identical, with one exception.”  Dr. Studly smiled.  “But I wager her ladyship will be pleased.”

Minutes later, as he cradled his sleeping baby boys, Jason understood the doctor’s cryptic comment.  Gerald and Gerard, named as his wife had decreed, were perfectly matched twins with a sole distinguishing feature—their hair.  One babe boasted a shock of blonde, and the other sported a brunette thatch.

“I suppose we have both left our mark, Alex.”  With a son nestled in the crook of each arm, his body trembled with incomprehensible elation, and his heart burst with unfathomable joy, as Jason relaxed in a chair before the windows and wept.

#

“Must say you have healed at a remarkable pace, your ladyship.”  Dr. Studly gathered his black bag and hat.  “You may resume marital relations, but take it slow, as you seem a bit warm.”

“Thank you, doctor.  And I assure you, I am quite well.”  Alex gave her back to Miss Phipps, who retied the laces of Alex’s gown.  “Will I require another examination?”

“As long as you follow my advice, I think not.”  At the door, he paused and smiled.  “Captain Collingwood made an excellent midwife.  Now, if you have no more questions, I shall check on the twins and be on my way, as it would be nice to dine with my wife.”

“You have been so helpful.”  Alex smoothed her skirts.  “We appreciate everything you have done for us, Dr. Studly.”

“That is my job, your ladyship.”  He plopped his hat atop his head and nodded once.  “Good day.”

With a bawdy little ditty playing in her brain, Alex walked to the armoire and set the doors wide.  It took all of two seconds to decide on the gown she would wear for dinner.  Holding the sumptuous garment to her chest, she turned and scrutinized her appearance in the long mirror.

To the casual observer, she wanted for nothing.  She had two healthy, beautiful babies.  She had the elegant manor of which she had dreamed.  And Alex had more than she could have fathomed in a spouse—except the one thing she wanted most.

Her husband’s declaration.

“Oh, my lady.”  Gertie pressed a hand to her throat.  “What a lovely dress.”

“Is it not?”  She fitted the bodice to her breasts, as she had lost most of the excess weight from her pregnancy.  The lone noticeable change in her figure was her ample bosom.  “I wore this gown the night I met Captain Collingwood.”

“Oh, I say.”  The housekeeper snickered.  “Cap’n will fall over himself, when he gets a look at you, in that frock.”

“Indeed, that is the plan.”  How she cherished the sweet memory, as she recalled his expression, the raw hunger, when they had locked gazes, so long ago.  And she intended to resurrect that yearning—tonight.  “Miss Phipps, will you help me?”

“Of course, your ladyship.”  Gertie fetched a matching pair of slippers.  “What have you in mind?”

“Ring for a bath.”  Alex plotted her strategy.  “Add some of my rosewater, as Jason favors it.  And could you arrange my hair, as Molly and Tom are repainting their bedchamber in the cottage, and I would rather not delay their progress.”

“I should be too delighted to assist you, my lady.”  The housekeeper winked.  “Shall I air your dress for this evening?”

“What a marvelous idea.”  Sitting at her vanity, Alex gazed at her reflection in the oval mirror and almost cried.  As she admired her image, she filled not with vanity or pride but with relief.  It was as if she had just returned home from a long voyage and welcomed an old friend.

Behind her, the massive four-poster loomed not as a specter of doom but of hope for the future she desperately desired but had not permitted herself to covet, since Plymouth.  In an instant, she invoked the vision of her husband, his handsome features marred by worry and fear, as he held her while she gave birth.  She recalled his tender care, his words of praise, and his unwavering support—and then Jason had moved into a guestroom.

To her chagrin, he had not returned to their bed.

So for the next couple of hours, she put her altruistic scheme into action, as she washed, primped, coiffed, and garbed herself with the singular objective of catching her knight.

“Hold your breath, my lady.”  Miss Phipps yanked hard on the laces.  “Just a tad more should do it.”

“Oh, what we do for fashion.”  Alex hugged the corner post of the footboard and winced.  “This had better work.”

“There, now.”  Retreating a step, Gertie admired the results.  “Cap’n will be at your command, my lady.”