She frowned, still confused. “I still do not understand.”
“I will remind you, and I think you will understand. Please be patient. When Mama was ill, Da was away. When he returned, he was in complete shock to find her near death. I remember standing in her chamber when Da came in, and you and Robbie were with me.
“Brenna had many candles going, not of the typical lavender scent that Mama loved, but a medicinal type that was to help her lungs. Mama had accepted her fate, but she hung on for a long time with her fever, hoping she would be able to say good-bye to Da. She was lying in the bed, and the candles were lit, but she would not awaken. You and I were standing opposite the bed, and Robbie was standing next to it, singing to her because she loved it. Da came into the room and took one look at her and wailed harder than I have ever heard any man, falling across the bed and throwing himself into her arms.”
Jennie stared at Alex, bits and pieces falling into place. She hung her head because all of a sudden, the memory was returning. She could smell the candles, could almost hear Robbie singing.
“Brodie and Brenna were not there, just you and me and Robbie. There was a small pillow on the bed and you grabbed it when Da came in, though I know not why.” Alex paused and stared up at the night sky. “‘Twas a terrible moment in my memory, so I do not know how it could be anything but bad inyours.” His hands fell to his sides and he turned to gaze into her eyes.
“The wailing you hear at night is our da’s. Da yelled and hollered and sobbed like I have never seen any man do before. He lay on the bed and sobbed his eyes out, cradling Mama on his lap. Robbie stopped singing, and I froze, unsure of what to do, and eventually walked out of the room.”
“But where did we go?”
“Wedid not go anywhere. You and Robbie stayed. I was in such a rush to get away, I left you there. When I remembered and returned to the chamber, Papa was still wailing.” He sighed.
“And Robbie and I?”
“Robbie was holding the pillow against one of your ears and his hand against your other. You were screaming.”
“What was I saying?” She did not need to ask, because sheknew. The memory of grabbing onto Robbie and telling him to make it stop, please make it stop was so vivid it was as if she were living it again. Was that how Alex remembered it?
“You were screaming at Robbie to make it stop.”
Tears flooded her face and she leaned into her husband. “I said it over and over again, did I not?”
“Aye, and the two of you hid.”
She sobbed as she clutched her husband’s hands. “In the corner. I tried to hide in the corner under the table. Robbie climbed under there with me and kept holding my ears, but I wouldn’t stay still for him. And Papa just kept wailing. ‘Twas horrible.”
“Aye. I am so sorry I left you behind. ‘Twas only a minute or two before I remembered you remained in the chamber.”
“But then you came in and picked me up. And you took me away from the wailing. Just like you have always done.” She stood up and fell against her brother, wrapping her arms around him. “You have always been there for me, always protected me,always held me when I needed you. Alex, I’m sorry.” She clung to her brother, but then took a step back.
She swiped at her tears and turned to her husband. “’Tis true. ‘Tis my father’s wailing I hear at night. ‘Tis not the men’s, ‘tis my da’s. I do not know why.”
Alex whispered and kissed her forehead. “I do. Because the wailing of the wounded men has brought you back to the memories of that night, I am sure of it. You chose to forget it, and it worked for many years. But now, I think it needed to come out.”
Jennie kissed his cheek, then her husband’s. “Come, we mustn’t wait any longer.”
Alex let out his breath. “Good. Because if anything happens to my Maddie, I will wail much louder than Da ever did.”
When they arrived at the Grant keep, Aedan helped her down and said, “Go. I’ll take care of our things.”
She gave him a quick kiss and ran up the steps to the great hall, then headed straight up to Maddie’s chamber. When she stepped inside, the first thing she noticed was how pale Maddie was. She was still alive, but her breathing was shallow and she had most definitely lost quite a bit of blood.
“How long has the bairn been trying to come out, Caralyn?” Poor Caralyn was exhausted, even though Alice and Fiona, Maddie’s maids, were both there to assist her.
“Three days. I cannot make the bairn turn. The babe comes feet first, and I have found one foot, but cannot locate the other.”
Alice was near tears. “Can you do something, Jennie? Please?”
Jennie walked to the chest and washed her hands and her face. The bed was soaked in blood, and Maddie was covered in it as well. All of a sudden, Maddie grunted and sat up. Just as she did, Alex bolted into the room.
“Jennie, I have to push again and naught happens. I do not have the strength. Let me go. I am too weak.”
Alex climbed into bed behind his wife and pushed her into a sitting position.
“Alex, I cannot do this. I’m sorry, but I cannot continue.” She shoved at her husband with what little energy she had left.
