Dr. Farthingale regarded him calmly. “Everything has been proceeding normally. I would have told you if she were in any distress.”
Gideon buried his face in his hands. “I cannot lose her.”
“You won’t.”
The doctor had just finished reassuring him when Gideon heard the midwife shout for them. Well, she had called out onlyfor the doctor. But Gideon had no intention of being left behind. No two beings ever moved faster as they tore up the stairs to his and Berry’s bedchamber.
Gideon expected to be kicked out shortly, but there was no way he was not going see Berry for himself and make certain everything possible was being done for her.
He ran straight to her side while the doctor went immediately to the bundle in the midwife’s arms. “She isn’t breathing,” she whispered, but he and Berry heard her.
Gideon took Berry’s hand and held it gently. “She’s stubborn, just like her father, and did not want to come out of her comfortable abode yet.”
Berry’s eyes were wide with worry and she looked exhausted.
“That’s right,” Dr. Farthingale said with confidence, giving the baby a few light taps. “Just a stubborn little beauty. Aren’t you? She just needs a little…nudge. And there we go.”
They heard a gurgle or two, and then the baby let out a healthy but indignant cry.
Gideon hugged Berry, both of them relieved.
“Thank goodness,” she said tearfully.
Gideon felt his own tears welling up.
“Would you like to hold your daughter?” the doctor asked him.
He nodded, drying his eyes off on his sleeve.
When had he ever cried?
Well, perhaps when Archie was born, because that was another time when he feared losing Berry. In truth, he could not imagine his life without her, for she was his heart and the very soul of their family.
“Looks like Archie was right. We have a girl, my love. Yes, doctor. I’ll take her.”
He settled on the bed beside Berry and leaned closer so that she could see their daughter, who was mostly bald but had a soft tuft of strawberry-blonde hair atop her head.
“Our daughter, our Lucy,” he murmured.
“She’s beautiful, Gideon.”
He laughed and gazed upon the squashed little face that was a deep purplish-red from crying. “I think you are looking at her through the blurred lens of a mother.”
“No, I see her clearly.” Berry smiled as she rested her head upon his shoulder.
The midwife allowed their cozy scene for a few minutes then ordered Gideon out. “I’ll take the babe, and then we need to take care of your wife.”
He frowned. “What’s wrong? I’m not leaving her side.”
Dr. Farthingale placed a calming hand on his shoulder. “Nothing is wrong. But there’s blood to clean off her after this delivery. Also, I want to make certain everything has come out cleanly. It won’t take long. I’ll call you back in as soon as we’re done.”
Gideon was too much on edge to return to his study, so he spent the next few minutes pacing up and down the hall.
He wasn’t the only one hovering close. Mrs. Bolton, Harriet, and Horace also found reasons to walk by. Even Melton found an excuse to walk upstairs. Gideon allowed them all to stay, for they loved Berry, too.
They all held their breath when the door opened and Dr. Farthingale stepped out carrying little Lucy in his arms. “Give the midwife another minute with Duchess Berry. In the meanwhile, let me introduce you to the newest little Knight.”
He handed Lucy to Gideon.
