“I like that story,” she said. “Tell me more.”
“Oh, this was no ordinary enchantress. She was forged from the sea and shaped by the north winds, an enchantress so powerful, no man could resist her.”
“And then?”
“And then she met a devilishly handsome earl who swept her off her feet and they had twenty-four bairns and lived happily ever after.”
Agnes swatted him again, but then soundly kissed him.
“Twenty-four, you say?”
“At least.”
“Well then we must practice for when this one is born.”
“Ye’ll get no argument from me,” he said as he pulled her to sit atop him.
Many hours later as she lay full and sated in his arms, he looked upward and thanked God for this, the most precious blessing of his life. For there could never be a greater gift than finding one’s perfect life partner.
Epilogue
She was thesize of a whale. That was the only way she could think to describe herself these days. For the first time in the past several months, William’s mother and Old Nan had agreed on something. That Agnes was due any day. And her anxiousness grew by the minute. The fear of not knowing was the worst. How much pain would she feel, if some unforeseen problem might cause danger to her or the wee one. Both women also agreed, Agnes was in top health, and each took credit for it.
Whether it was from her regular walks or the enormous amount of food they shoved at her, she had to admit, she felt well. But she’d been to a dark place in the past and she feared, as well she might return there after the bairn was born, as she was aware that could happen to some mothers.
Agnes had not shared any of her fears with anyone because they appeared worried enough. While she was in the best hands possible, she understood all too well that so much could and sometimes did go very wrong.
As she sat on the bench in the garden the sound of a chiffchaff echoed around her. Usually the first birds she heard in spring, the sound brought light to her heart. This wee creature reminded her that everything renews in spring. And she would too. As she stood to go find William, her waters broke, gushing down over her legs and feet. A stabbing pain ripped through her the moment it happened and she doubled over.
“Oh!”
The first pain passed and she was able to stand upright to find William running toward her.
“Agnes!”
“The babe comes,” she said through clenched teeth. “Help me inside.”
William made to lift her but she stopped him. “No, let me walk. It will help.”
Another contraction overtook her and she doubled over again. When she looked up, his mother and Old Nan were making their way to her.
“You had better get her inside quickly,” his mother said. “I wrote to her mother months ago and asked what her deliveries were like and her reply said they were swift and excruciating. We don’t have much time so unless you want her to birth this child here on the lawns for all to see, you need to get her inside.”
Agnes wasn’t sure she liked the descriptors her mother used. There was no way to predict how a woman’s labor would transpire. But this pain was intensifying and when William picked her up, she was sure she would faint in his arms.
But she held on. High above her the chiffchaff called to her, reminding her of her purpose and responsibility to the wee one about to come into the world. Agnes focused on the bird’s call each time a new contraction swept over her. By the time they reached her chamber, she was bathed in sweat. His mother and he helped her out of her gown and into a birthing shift and then into bed. Once she was off her feet, she felt a little better and the contractions gave way to brief moments where she could catch her breath and prepare for the next.
William mopped her brow like she’d done for him all those months ago when he was racked with pain from a poisoned arrow. She remembered how helpless she felt and by the lookof concern on his face now, he might be feeling that same helplessness keenly.
The next contraction brought with it an overwhelming need to push.
“Not yet, lass,” Old Nan said as she checked to see how far Agnes had advanced. “You must let the next couple happen without pushing. Talk to her, laddie. Keep her mind occupied. If she pushes too soon, the babe will tear her apart.”
The pain meddled with her ability to comprehend, so great with the pressure building beyond her ability to resist.
He sat beside her and held onto her as the pain made her body shake. “Do you remember Fin?”
She nodded through her breathing. His mother was on the other side of her demonstrating how to control inhaling and exhaling and Agnes focused hard on just that.
