Yet here he was, the very core of his being aching because of what Adrian must be going through now.The fear for his wife, magnified by the trauma he’d known in adolescence when his mother died giving birth to his sister.All Edward wanted to do was ease his concerns, but how could he when the truth was that there were no guarantees Samantha would make it through this.
The only thing to be done was hope and pray all would be well, that both mother and child survived.
“Your wife is a fighter,” Edward said a few moments later when the right approach struck.“She will put all her strength and determination toward delivering that child and returning to your side.”
No guarantee, but faith in the woman Adrian loved.
“Yes,” Adrian said, following the response with a few solid nods of agreement.“You’re right.I married a warrior, not some wilting wallflower.She’ll be fine.She has to be with a child to care for.”
Edward said nothing, allowing Adrian’s words and the optimism they instilled to fill the hallway.An additional series of groans came from the room.They seemed to drag on forever, and then the door opened.Melody appeared, her expression such that it was impossible to tell if there was cause for concern or rejoicing.
“She wants you by her side,” Melody told Adrian.“The doctor has allowed it as long as you swear you won’t interfere.”
“How am I to make such a promise?”Adrian hissed.“If I don’t trust what he’s doing, I’ve every right to stop him.”
“Just make the promise,” Melody gritted, the look in her eyes encouraging Adrian to comply.She sent a quick glance over her shoulder, then added, “You can always break it later.”
“Fine,” he said.“I swear not to interfere.”
“Good.”Melody informed the doctor, then admitted Adrian to the room and stepped into the hallway.
She closed the door behind her and sagged against the wall beside it.When she raised her gaze to Edward, he finally saw the concern she’d hidden while speaking with Adrian.
Edward’s stomach contracted.“What is it?What’s happened?”
“She’s exhausted and in pain.The baby is turned the wrong way and… Doctor Moore is worried that dragging this on will endanger both mother and child.He’s going to keep trying to help Samantha through a natural birth, but’s he’s sending for Mr.Melroy.In case a cesarean becomes necessary.”
“What does that mean?”He’d heard of this, had he not?Surely his understanding of what it entailed must be wrong.The doctor couldn’t possibly be thinking of cutting Samantha open.That was absurd.Whatever chance she had of survival would surely be slim if this path were pursued.
Horrified, he stared at the door while trying to figure out some way in which to help.It opened in the next instant and a woman exited the room.The midwife, he assumed, or perhaps just a nurse?
“Am I to understand that Mrs.Croft has to undergo surgery?”he asked the woman, his hand already on her arm to prevent her from walking away and ignoring his question.
“Possibly.”The woman yanked her arm free.“If you’ll excuse me, haste is of the essence.”
He dropped his hand and stared at her retreating form.God have mercy, this could not be happening.
The gentle touch of fingers against his hand made him turn.He met Melody’s watery gaze and instantly pulled her into his arms.What a fool he was to have treated her so abominably.Were she in Samantha’s position, he’d walk barefoot through broken glass and make a deal with the devil to switch places with her.Anything so she would be safe and out of danger.
Yes, she’d deceived him, but as she’d correctly pointed out, there had been no promise between them.They’d not been attached and he…hehad left her without a single assurance that they would ever be more than friends.
“Take heart, Melody.”His hand swept over the length of her spine with soothing strokes.“She’s getting the best medical care England has to offer.Let’s be thankful she did not remain at Deerhaven Manor.”
“Yes,” she muttered against his chest, her voice slightly muffled.And then she was stepping back, away from him.“Forgive me, my lord, I’m not myself.I—”
“Neither am I.Nor have I been these past few weeks since learning of your…secret identity.”He swallowed past the knot that had formed in his throat and set his palm against her cheek.“I’m so terribly sorry for how I’ve treated you.”
“It’s all right.”Heartache filled her eyes.
“No.”The pain he saw in her expression was more than he could bear.“It is far from all right.I’ve been unjust and cruel and so unlike myself.”
“Though not without reason,” she murmured.“Had I been in your position, I would have responded similarly.The hurt I caused you—”
“Is surely less than what I’ve caused you.”Shame expanded inside his gut until he felt sick.“I can only imagine how much you must loathe me.”
She shook her head slightly.“There was never any loathing on my part.Resentment and sadness, yes, some anger too, but nothing as harsh as loathing.”
His fingers traced over her cheek.“You are a much better person than I, Melody.”
