Wee William had as much experience with the birthing process as Duncan, therefore he had no words of consolation to offer his friend. Mayhap silence was best.
“Mayhap we should step outside,” Wee William offered after another deep, blood-curdling scream came from Duncan’s bedchamber. The sound of Aishlinn’s screams set Wee William’s nerves on edge. He had never witnessed a birth before. The thought of Aishlinn in so much pain made his stomach tighten. Mayhap Duncan was right to worry. If it were Nora in that chair, Wee William knew he’d have the same anxiety.
Duncan shot an angry glare Wee William’s way. “I think we could hear her screamin’ all the way to England!” he whispered angrily. Guilt washed over Duncan and it was all he could do to remain standing. Aishlinn was right; it was his fault that she was in such agony and pain.
“That may well be true,” Wee William said in a low voice. “But mayhap bein’ a bit further away from it will help ye.” And it certainly would no’ hurt me!
“Help me?” Duncan stopped pacing and looked at Wee William. “God, man! ’Tisn’t me that needs the help! ’Tis me wife! Can ye no’ hear how much this hurts her?”
Wee William reckoned all of Scotland could hear, but did not voice his opinion. “I ken she be in pain, Duncan. Mayhap if ye went in with her, that would help soothe the lass.” He thought it an excellent idea. But from the look of abject fear that filled Duncan’s eyes said he did not agree.
“Are ye mad?” Duncan asked as he resumed his pacing. “You heard her! She’s ready to cut me manhood off with a dull knife!”
Just as Wee William was about to suggest that they leave again, another blood curdling scream and a slew of curses came crashing out of the bedchamber. Wee William blushed. He did not know that women even knew such words, let alone had the audacity to speak them! He supposed it wasn’t audacity so much as sheer, unadulterated pain that made the lass speak so.
He then heard Nora’s laughter filter out of the bedchamber. Wee William and Duncan looked at one another, each of them confused, but Wee William was blushing to his toes. Did his wife find the dirty language Aishlinn spoke, amusing? His wife was every bit the lady that Aishlinn was. How could she have found humor in such words? Embarrassed over his wife’s apparent amusement with Aishlinn’s harsh language, Wee William made a mental note to speak to her later, about the appropriateness of laughing at such a time.
In the next instant, the beautiful, precious, and loud cry of Duncan’s first babe, along with more laughter from the women, came filtering in to the kitchen. Wee William and Duncan stared blankly at one another for a moment before wide, braw smiles came to their faces.
Both men began pacing back and forth, amazed, excited, and eagerly anticipating word from the next room. It seemed as though an hour had passed before Nora stepped into the kitchen with Duncan’s babe in swaddling clothes. Wee William’s heart skipped a beat when he saw her sweet smile and the tears of joy in her eyes.
Nora stepped toward Duncan and placed the babe into his trembling arms. He could not find the wherewithal to speak at the moment. He wanted to ask after his wife, how she fared, but he was too caught up in the blissful moment of holding his tiny babe for the first time.
“He is a beautiful, strong boy,” Nora whispered softly as she placed a gentle kiss on the babe’s bald little head.
Duncan’s smile increased as he looked at Nora. “A boy?” He was momentarily stunned by the news. He had convinced himself that ’twas a girl child his wife carried, for Aishlinn had gone nearly a fortnight past the time the babe had been expected. Only a girl child would make a man wait longer than necessary.
“Aye, a son.” Nora said. “And Aishlinn is doing very well. Isobel is helping her to settle into the bed. You can see her soon.”
Duncan turned toward Wee William, his eyes filled with joyful tears, the smile never leaving his face. “Wee William!” Duncan whispered in awe. “I have a son!”
Nora went to her husband and wrapped her arms around his waist. Wee William pressed a kiss onto the top of her head as he wrapped his arms around her. They stood together, watching Duncan as he gently rocked his son in his arms. The babe was sucking on his little fist, his eyes closed as he slept peacefully in his father’s arms.
“He’s a big lad, isn’t he?” Duncan asked to no one in particular. “He’s handsome too!”
Wee William chuckled slightly. “He must take after his mum then!”
Duncan ignored the insult, unable to take his eyes of his wee bairn. After several long, quiet moments, Isobel appeared and informed Duncan that his wife would like to see him now. Duncan looked very much like a man heading to the gallows as he first cast a look of dread at Wee William before stepping into the bedchamber.
“I thought ’twould be hours before the babe was here,” Wee William murmured to his wife.
“’Twas our thinkin’ as well,” Isobel answered as she went about heating water for tea. “But in hindsight, it only seems it went quickly. I did no’ ken until I arrived earlier that Aishlinn has been having pains in her back for two days. She didna tell anyone for she didna realize they were birthing pains.”
Isobel stoked the fire until flames began to rise upward. “Aishlinn be a verra strong young woman. Until the babe was ready to come, she did no’ so much as utter a sound.”
Wee William chuckled slightly. “Aye, but then, the words that came out of that bonny lass’s mouth? I never heard such cursin’ in all me days!”
Isobel shot him a look of chastisement. “’Tis no’ an easy thing to do, Wee William!” Isobel said as she grabbed cups from the cupboard.
“I be sorry, Isobel. I meant no disrespect. ’Twas a surprise to hear her, of all people, using such language.”
Isobel smiled as she set the cups on the table. “Aye, I was a bit surprised meself!”
“I was as well!” Nora said. “Everything about it surprised me. I’ve never helped deliver a babe before. Aishlinn made it look very easy until it was time to actually push him out!” She shuddered involuntarily at the memory of her dear friend in so much pain. Nora had not realized just how agonizing birthing could be. She could only hope that if and when her time came, it wouldn’t be quite as bad as what Aishlinn had gone through!
Isobel giggled. “Aye, fer some women, the pushin’ is the easy part, for others, ’tis the worst. Each woman is different, ye ken.”
Wee William looked down at his wife and studied her for a moment. She looked as though she were thinking hard on something. He would wait until they were alone to ask what she was thinking of.
“Nora,” Isobel said. “Ye did a fine job with Aishlinn. Ye were verra comfortin’ to her, and ye asked the right questions. Mayhap, ye’d like to help me again?”
Nora’s eyes widened with surprise. “You mean, with another birthing?”
“Aye, I do. I believe ye would do well as a midwife. Ye have a good head on yer shoulders. Ye were verra calm when the time came. I ken ye were probably verra nervous and a bit scared, but ye hid it well.”
Nora thought on it for a long moment. She’d never thought about becoming a midwife, so she wasn’t sure if it was the correct calling for her or not. Mayhap if she did help Isobel with a few more births, she might be better equipped with making the right decision.
She worried however, about being away from William and the children. They’d only been married for a short time. Mayhap her husband would not want to be sharing time with his wife with anyone. He may also not want to be saddled with John and Elise for long periods of time. But Nora had liked helping Isobel and she was glad she had been there for Aishlinn.
Had it been Horace standing next to her, Nora would have refused as soon as the offer had been made. She knew Horace would never have allowed her to help in the first place, let alone allow her the chance to do it again. Nora had never truly been his wife, she’d merely been something else that he owned. It made her feel quite ill at ease whenever thoughts of Horace came to her mind. She knew she sho
uld not ever compare Horace to Wee William, for there truly was no comparison. However, it was often difficult not to do just that. In each and every comparison, Wee William won out.
It had not been so very long ago that she had felt her life ruined, beyond repair, beyond hope. Before Wee William and his men entered her cottage that fateful night, she had begun to believe Horace’s words. She had started to believe that mayhap she was unworthy, stupid, and weak. Mayhap she was a flawed, inferior, defective woman. Mayhap she didn’t deserve any amount of happiness.
But Wee William had shown her otherwise.
She owed him so very much. Owed him her own life, and the lives of her brother and sister.
Nora watched Isobel closely for a moment. Certainly it should be considered an honor to be asked to help her again. Mayhap Isobel saw something in Nora that she could not see for herself.
“Mayhap if I did help you a time or two, I could make a better decision, Isobel. I am very flattered that you would ask.” Nora said. She looked up at her husband. “But I would not want to go against my husband’s wishes. If he does not want me to do this, then I shan’t.”
The last thing she wanted was friction between herself and William. He was such a good man, in so many ways. There was not a day that went by that she didn’t learn something new about him, something that endeared him to her all the more. Nora felt she owed him a lifetime of gratitude and peace for all he had done for her. She could no more go against his wishes than she could fly. If her husband did not wish for her to assist Isobel again, then so be it. Nora would not argue with him over it.
Isobel nodded her head as she glanced at Wee William. “What say ye, Wee William? Would you be against yer wife learnin’ how to help women in such a manner?”
Wee William didn’t have to think on it for long. He would much rather his wife help women deliver their bairns over how Aishlinn had wanted to help the women of their clan. Aishlinn wanted to teach the women on the proper usage of bows and arrows, for battle as well as hunting.
When Wee William had first witnessed with his own eyes the lass’s good aim, he’d been both surprised and in awe. She was as good as any of the clan’s archers when it came right down to it. But battle was no place for any woman to be. Nay, birthing bairns, weaving, sewing, those were the rightful places of a woman.
He knew not to voice his opinion on the subject of a woman’s rightful place in front of Isobel or his wife. He’d keep his thoughts to himself for now.
“Aye, I think Nora would do well as a midwife,” he said as he hugged his wife. “And as long as it be something Nora wishes to do, I see no problem with it.”
Nora blinked. As long as she wanted to. Excitement, relief, and gratitude exploded into a wide smile as she stared, surprised, at her husband. He was allowing her to make the decision. The warm smile he held, the twinkle in his eyes, the way his warm hand felt as it rested on her waist told her more than words ever could.
He believed in her.
He truly loved her.
Suddenly, Nora was overwhelmed with the need to be alone with her husband. Weeks ago, it would have been very difficult for her to express to him just what she was thinking or feeling. Wee William had changed all that. He allowed her to think and feel, whatever it was she might be thinking or feeling at the moment. He never berated her, never scolded or yelled at her. William was the most patient, kind man she had ever known.
Wee William cherished her.
He adored her.
He truly loved her.
“William,” Nora asked as she continued to smile at him.
“Aye, lass?”
“Where be Elise and John?”
Wee William recognized the gleam of love in his wife’s eyes. He’d seen that look countless times over the past two weeks. That look took his breath away and he knew what that particular look meant.
“They be at the keep,” he said. He swallowed hard, wanting very much to scoop his wife into his arms and rush her back to their home. The children were at the keep, safe and sound. He could take his sweet time loving his wife.
Nora’s eyes twinkled again. Wee William did his best to suppress the urgent need building in his loins.
“Good,” she whispered. “How long do you think John will be able to keep Elise out of trouble?”
With the look his wife was giving him, he’d have been quite happy to run to the keep and tie John and Elise to the nearest tree, if it meant having some time alone with his wife. Aye, he could trust John to do his best to keep Elise out of trouble, but not for long. The little sprite had a way of driving her brother crazy. Wee William wasn’t certain if trouble found Elise or if Elise sought it out. Poor John.
John.
“John!” Wee William exclaimed as he slapped his hand to his forehead. He had forgotten the boy!
Nora gave her husband a puzzled look. “What of John?” she asked.
Wee William growled. When he had made the promise to teach John the proper use of a sword, he had done so believing he had hours to spend keeping Duncan busy. And with his wife busy helping Aishlinn, there would be no need to tell her about the training. He stared at his wife for a moment. Should he lie or tell the truth? He was certain she would not agree to allow her young brother to train with a bunch of Highlanders. Nora protected her brother and sister as fiercely as a mother bear protected her cubs.
When he looked into his wife’s eyes, he knew he must tell her the truth. He braced himself mentally for what he was certain would be a severe tongue lashing.
“I promised to teach the lad to use a sword. ’Twas a promise meant to keep Duncan busy, fer he was so worried over Aishlinn! And I ken ye think the lad be too young, but I was seven when I began me trainin’! He’s a good lad, Nora, and I think it be time to teach him to defend himself and his family!”
His words had spilled out so rapidly that Nora could barely keep up. While she hadn’t caught every word, she understood most of what he said.
Her heart swelled with pride and love for her husband. It mattered not that he hadn’t discussed it with her first, for she knew eventually he would have confessed. And John wouldn’t have been able to keep such a thing secret for long. Besides, Elise would have found out and there were not many secrets the little girl was able to keep.
Nora turned to face her husband, who was, at the moment, looking very unsure and a bit afraid of what her response would be. She bit the inside of her lip to keep from laughing at him.
“You mean to train John?” she asked, pretending confusion.
Wee William nodded his head and took a step backward.
“You think a boy of two and ten is ready for such training?” she asked, crossing her arms over her chest.
Wee William nodded his head again and took another step back toward the door. He realized he had never seen his wife angry before. He thought back to a feisty young woman named Maggy Boyle and her propensity for throwing anything within reach. He prayed his wife did not hold such a temper as that, but scanned the room for anything that might be within her reach. He cast a glance over his shoulder at the door. He could be out the door before his wife could get to anything to be used as a weapon, save for the chair she now stood next to.
He wasn’t prepared for her response. Nora ran to him and flung herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck. Did she mean to strangle him?
“William!” Nora exclaimed as she began planting kisses on his cheek. “Thank you!”
Wee William stood dumbfounded. Why was she thanking him?
“I think this is just what John needs, to help him feel he belongs here!” Nora said excitedly as she hugged her husband tightly. “I have been so worried about him, William!”
Wee William returned her embrace. His wife had not voiced her worry over John, but he knew that she was concerned over John’s adjustment to life in Scotland.
“It has been so hard for him to make friends, William.” Nora whispered into his ear. “Mayhap if he is allowed to spend mor
e time with you, and your men, he might start to feel like he belongs. He might learn to see in all of you, what I see in all of you.” Nora fought back the urge to cry.
Wee William squeezed her again before setting her down on her feet. “And what it is that you see in us?”
Nora smiled. “Honorable men and women. Good, decent people who are giving, kind, and funny!” Of course, her list of all the good qualities William and his people possessed was much longer than that.
Wee William nodded his head in agreement. “So ye be no’ angry that I made the decision without speakin’ to ye first?”
A wicked smile came to her lips then. She couldn’t very well let him think she was perfectly fine with him making such important decisions without her. “Oh, I am angry with you, William. But my happiness that you want to include John in things, my happiness that he might some day be accepted as one of you far outweighs my anger.”
“We have accepted him, Nora,” Wee William replied. “John simply canna see it fer he’s too angry and missin’ his home. It canna be easy fer him to be taken from all he loved and held dear to his heart. It will take time, but I believe that someday, he’ll come to realize that home is wherever his heart is.”
Nora could no more contain her tears than she could hold onto a star. She melted into her husband’s arms, thankful beyond words that God had brought him into her life. She would love him always and he, her.
After a few moments, she dried her tears and hugged him again.
“You should not keep John waiting, then, William,” she told him. “I’ll stay and speak with Isobel, and help Aishlinn where I can. I’ll meet you at home later.”
Wee William hugged her again before leaving the cottage. As he walked along the path toward the keep, he could not help but feel elated, joyous, and utterly content. He reckoned that he must have done something truly spectacular in another life, for he could not fathom what he’d done in this one to deserve a wife like Nora.
Wee William's Woman, Book Three of the Clan MacDougall Series Page 27