Page 20 of Edge of Yesterday

“Help her and I will no’ harm you.”

The woman gave a wide berth, but hurried past him to the hearth. She grabbed a rag from a nearby table, then used it to lift the kettle hanging over the fire and poured water into a small basin. She returned the kettle to the fire, then grabbed several white rags from the table and took the basin to the stand beside the bed. She sat on the mattress beside Elizabeth and mopped her brow.

“When will the babe come?” Valdar demanded.

“Soon.”

Elizabeth grunted and drew her knees up, spreading her thighs wide.

“Ye must leave,” the peasant woman said.

Fear lanced through Cailean. How could a man be asked to leave the woman he loved while she suffered such pain?

“I will never leave her side,” Valdar vowed.

The woman hesitated, then said, “Wait at the hearth. A man shouldnae be in the room when a woman gives birth.” He didn’t move. “I will only close the curtain,” she said. “The lady will be safe.”

Valdar gave a curt nod and the woman reached for the curtain and dragged it across the front of the bed. Valdar strode to the hearth. For what seemed hours, Cailean stared down at the flames, as did Valdar, glancing in the direction of the pulled curtain only when Elizabeth cried out. The night grew chilly and Cailean drew his plaid more tightly about his shoulders.

At last, the wail of a child broke the quiet. The peasant woman slid back the curtain. Valdar didn’t immediately face them, but stared for another long moment into the fire before turning and striding to the bed. Elizabeth lay, eyes closed. The babe in the crook of her arm suckled a breast. Cailean’s heart seemed near to bursting. No child had ever been more beautiful.

“I must fetch herbs, my lord,” the peasant woman said.

Valdar nodded, and she hurried from the cottage, scurrying into the shadows of the darkened path.

“I can find someone to take the babe,” Valdar said.

Elizabeth’s eyes fluttered open. “Take her?” she repeated.

Her voice lacked its previous strength. Fear tightened Cailean’s gut. What was wrong?

“You need not fear, my lady.” Valdar eased the covers back and stared down at the child. “No one will know of this night.”

Cailean’s heart pounded. Take the child from its mother?

Valdar’s gaze shifted to Elizabeth’s face. “I will see you from this terrible place. No one will ever harm you again. Perhaps, in time…”

She stared up at him.

“Perhaps you might love me as I love you.”

Elizabeth cocked her head as if trying to understand. The baby lost the nipple and cried out.

“I will take it.” Valdar reached for the child.

Cailean took a step forward before catching himself.

“Nae.” Elizabeth pulled the squalling child closer.

Again, the weakness in her voice frightened him. Were all women so frail after giving birth? The child continued to cry.

“When the midwife returns, I will have her bring the child to a wet nurse,” Valdar said.

A cold finger touched Cailean’s spine.

“You are too spent, my lady,” Valdar said.

Her brow furrowed. “Do no’ harm her.”