"She is in pain. Ease her suffering!"
Gillian might have laughed at Royce's order if she wasn't so afraid. She squeezed his hand.
"There is nothing to be done. It will stop when the babe comes." Maida busied herself arranging blankets and cloths, and instructing her assistants.
When Royce looked at Gillian with such deep concern, she almost wept. Recollections of the cold, hard warrior who had arrived so many months ago sprang up. Not even a year had passed and knowing this fierce man loved and protected her, possessed her, left her breathless.
"My lord, you must go now." Maida stood with fists on her hips, a disapproving scowl etched into her round face.
"I'm not leaving." He scowled at the woman. Somehow, a giggle escaped Gillian.
"But 'tis not proper!" Horror widened Maida's dark eyes.
"Madame, this is my home. I am lord here and will remain."
"'Tis all right," Gillian said. "I would like him to stay with –"
Her words dissolved into a strangled moan, this time the sensation of a knife twisting in her gut sucking the breath from her lungs. Maida's protests ceased and she set herself between Gillian's legs.
"Very good, my lady. There is plenty of time yet."
"Plenty of time? How long must my wife suffer?"
With the wave of agony behind her, Gillian squeezedRoyce's fingers, a weak attempt to calm him. His fierce expression did not soften.
"Several hours at least. 'Tis normal for a first child."
"Several hours? Not acceptable! I will seek someone else."
"My lord, forgive me, but there is nothing anyone can do now." Maida pressed on Gillian's belly. Shouldn't that hurt? Instead, it felt as though a great pressure eased inside.
"Royce, there's no one else!"
He glanced sharply at her. "I will not stand by and watch you suffer for hours!"
Another squeeze of her belly left her panting. "'Tis how a child is born."
One look into his face and he knew he shared her thoughts about how Anne had suddenly died moments after her son arrived. She held his stare, lifting her chin. It earned her an arched eyebrow and a scowl, but he said nothing more.
"Sit with me and hold my hand. I'll need to –"
The pain came on suddenly and more excruciating than before. She squeezed her eyes shut, willing herself to relax. Struggling against the agony seemed to make it worse. In her hand, Royce's fingers cracked under her fierce squeeze.
"My lord, sit up by her head. You are interfering."
Gillian gave a weak giggle at Maida's words. Royce still scowled, but remained silent. She realized his fear had grown. She held back a smile. Likely her fierce warrior husband wouldn't like knowing his apprehension showed to everyone in the room. To distract him, she took his arm and placed it around her shoulders, leaning back against his chest.
"You must hold me each time I –"
The scream erupted before she possessed the will to contain it. The pains now came closer together. Royce's embrace tightened as she trembled under the force of her labors.
Several hours later, she screamed with each twisting squeeze of her belly. Now Royce calmed her, whisperingreassuring words in her ear, encouraging her to bear this agony.
"You bear it!" she shouted.
His chuckle only added to the tempest of emotions warring within her. God's bones, she wanted to cuff him soundly, but another great pain was upon her. His lips pressed against her sweaty cheek, and he gently mopped her brow, soothing her anger. The small sense of comfort gave her a moment to catch her breath before another contraction left her squirming in agony.
"Do you want the stool?"
