“I believe so. He bears no ill will against me. On the contrary...” God, this situation sounded crazier the more he tried to explain. With a heavy sigh, Gabriel decided he might as well tell Colin everything. His friend already knew more than half the story. He might as well know it all. “The duke is my natural father. That’s why he asked this of me.”
The full implications were there for Colin to draw conclusions. He was a bastard. The product of an illicit liaison. And now he had embroiled himself in another illicit liaison to beget a child who could not be called his. But he saw no judgment on Colin’s face. Only compassion.
A few charged moments passed before Colin spoke.
“I’m sorry Gabriel. I can only imagine how difficult this must be for you. For everyone involved. It’s inadequate, but the only advice I can think of is, try to be in your child’s life somehow. As a friend of the family, an uncle...” Colin shook his head. “It’s not enough. Fuck, I know it’s not enough. But it’s something.”
Gabriel inclined his head, a sad half smile tugging the corner of his mouth. “I appreciate your advice. And your understanding. I know the situation would outrage most people.What you suggest is what I intend to do, but as you say; it’s not enough.”
Just then, the door to his study opened, and Thakur walked in, bearing an envelope. “Forgive the intrusion. This arrived for you just now. I figured you would want to be informed at once.”
Gabriel jumped up and ripped the envelope from Thakur’s hands. It was a telegram from the duke. It said only,Duchess in labor. Please visit.
He looked up, meeting Colin’s gaze. “She’s giving birth. I have to go.”
“Wait,” his friend called, and Gabriel looked back at him impatiently. “Do you know who the doctor attending her is?”
Gabriel shook his head. “I believe it’s the duke’s doctor. Why? What does it matter?”
“It matters. An older doctor may not be up to date with the latest advances in medicine. Many of them have been practicing for decades and are set in the old ways. We know a doctor specialized in obstetrics—that’s the specialty that deals with pregnancy and childbirth. He practices sanitation and uses anesthesia to make childbearing easier. I’ve read some papers he has published, and I’m convinced he’s a good doctor. He’s the doctor Abigail plans to use. You should bring him with you... just in case.”
Gabriel knew his friend was not giving empty advice. Colin was a doctor himself, and if he endorsed this fellow, he knew what he was talking about. But time was of the essence now. He wished he had known this before.
“I appreciate the information. But I don’t know if this doctor would be willing or able to travel—”
“I’m sure, for a duchess, and with the right inducement, he could be persuaded to attend.”
“But I need to leave immediately. I don’t have time to search for this doctor.”
“If you’ll allow me, I’ll talk to him and convince him to go to Stanhope Abbey at once.”
The level of gratitude he felt towards his friend at this moment... “If you do that for me, for her, I would be eternally in your debt.”
Colin shook his head, smiling. “There’s no debt between friends. I’ll persuade Dr. Finlay. Now go to your duchess. And godspeed.”
“Thank you.”
With that, Gabriel ran out of the study. His valet was waiting for him with two valises already prepared for the trip.
“How did you know...?”
“Please, my lord, let us not waste time pretending I don’t know what’s going on. We are going to Stanhope Abbey, yes?”
“Yes,” Gabriel replied, marching towards the door. “The sooner the better.”
SHE WAS SO TIRED. IThad been impossible to get much sleep last night, as the pains in her belly constantly awoke her. They had continued in the same fashion throughout the day. By late afternoon, her eyes would close of their own accord, and she would slip in and out of consciousness to the rhythm of the labor pains.
Sometimes she didn’t know if she was asleep or awake. Now, as another pain ripped her from blessed unconsciousness, she thought she was still in the grip of a dream. Or perhaps hallucinating. Because when she opened her eyes, she saw Gabriel sliding into her room from the door that connected it with Harold’s suite. The sight produced a jolt of joy, followed by profound sadness, because, of course, it wasn’t real. He couldn’t possibly be here.
She closed her eyes again and whimpered through the pain. Not for the first time since the labor ordeal began, her eyes flooded and tears escaped from her closed eyelids. As she withstood the ravages of the cramp that seized her belly every few minutes, she almost welcomed the pain. At least it gave her an excuse for crying, as she couldn’t very well reveal the true reason; that she needed Gabriel by her side.
Strong arms enfolded her, and she inhaled his familiar scent. The rush of relief had her hiccupping and sobbing harder. She had not imagined it, he was real! Against all odds, he was here with her. Now all would be well.
“I’m sorry, my love, so sorry you have to go through this. I would give anything to spare you this suffering.”
As the pain eased, she pulled back in his arms to look at him, and a tremulous smile stretched her lips. He looked rumpled and weary from traveling. But she had never beheld a more welcome sight.
“You are here,” she said at last, touching his face. “I’ve needed you here... so much.”
