by Bryn Donovan
“I should bake to death in the warmth, so I do not cause you any undue stress?” Abigail huffed. “I think you should learn to take a swim in the creek if your blood boils too often, darling.”
Colin sighed. “A swim does sound nice. I thought it would be nice to clear a space down along the creek. It has become rather overgrown since I was a lad.”
“Wanting a place for family picnics?” Abigail knew her husband dreamed of a family as much as she did. Perhaps one day they would have that.
He nodded. “I think it would be a good idea. It would be nice to have a space for little ones to play without the worry of some beasty lurking in the underbrush.”
(One Year Later)
The Haddington family was hosting lunch complete with the table set up outside under the warm spring sun. Abigail revelled in the feeling of the warm breezes after the cold winter days. She looked over at Colin who gave her a wink which made her smile.
“Abigail has been telling me about the addition that you had put onto your country estate, Your Grace.” Lord Grey picked up his glass of lemonade and took a sip. “Now that is good lemonade.”
Lady Grey gave her husband a smile. “I think the cook really outdid herself today,” she agreed.
Colin nodded his agreement about the lemonade. “Yes, I started having the work done on the country estate before the wedding.”
“Are they not done with it yet?” Lord Grey seemed a bit confused as it had been almost a year since the initial wedding between Abigail and the Duke.
Colin laughed. “Yes, they have completed the initial addition, but Abigail wanted to make some modifications for when you and your wife visit.”
Lady Grey put her hand over her heart. “That is so lovely of you two to think of us, but we do not wish to be an imposition.”
“You never could be an imposition,” Abigail assured her mother. “We just wanted to make sure that everyone had their own set of rooms so that you had a place to retire to when you needed rest.”
Lady Grey seemed to give that thought. “That is a good idea. Will your parents be joining us when we visit the estate?”
“My parents enjoy the London lifestyle, but they do like to visit around Christmas to enjoy the festivities,” Colin said as he laid his fork down on his plate. I must say, I am rather full.”
Lord Balfour joined in as well. “I might have to roll back to the carriage.”
Serena giggled. “Well. Before you do, I would like to make an announcement.” She met Abigail’s eyes. “Mother and Father have finally agreed to allow me to follow my dreams of travelling under the condition that I better myself while I do so. I shall be going to study in Paris.”
Abigail grinned and was quickly up on her feet. She practically ran around the table to give her sister a hug. “That is wonderful! Why did you not tell me that they had agreed?”
“I wanted it to be a surprise,” Serena said as if that should have been obvious.
Abigail gave Colin a mischievous look, and he nodded. “Speaking of surprises,” Abigail said mysteriously as she stood with her arm over her sister’s shoulders. “Lord Honeyfield and I have an announcement of our own.”
“Oh, you are not!” Serena was already hugging her. “Oh, Adie, I am so happy!”
Lord Grey grumbled, “Not what? What is going on?”
Abigail looked at her father. “I am with child, Father.”
Lady Grey let out a cry of joy. “I am going to be a grandmother! Did you hear that, Charles?” Lady Grey was up with her arms around Abigail as she laughed wedged between her sister and mother.
Lord Grey said, “I heard it; I heard it. I do not think I shall ever hear anything again with all the screaming.”
Colin chuckled, and Lord Grey held out his hand to him which Colin took in a hearty shake. Lord Grey grinned broadly. “Congratulations, Your Grace. I suspect it will be a fine boy.”
“Or girl,” Abigail added from the midst of her hug.
Colin nodded his head and agreed, “Either would suit me fine.”
After Abigail had finally escaped from her mother and sister, she made her way back to Colin. She sighed down at her husband happily.
Lord Balfour shook his head. “All these surprises, and I have none to offer.”
“You already knew our surprise,” Colin reminded him.
Lord Balfour acknowledged that with a nod. “True.”
“You knew, and you did not tell me?” Serena asked as she sat down next to Lord Balfour.
He shrugged. “I am good at keeping secrets, and apparently, so are you.”
“Fine. We are even,” Serena relented with a grin. “Are you not excited for me?”
“Of course I am,” Lord Balfour assured her. “We shall both be off having our adventures.”
Serena leaned up onto the table. “That is right. You shall be off sailing to look at some land.”
“I am rather looking forward to it. I do like sailing.” Lord Balfour hooked his thumbs into his coat and looked rather proud of himself.
Abigail laughed. “You have been sailing once.”
“But it was for a week,” Colin reminded her.
Abigail countered, “In calm waters.”
“Are you wishing me ill on my journey?” Lord Balfour guffawed as he slapped the table. “Your wife wishes me ill weather.”
“She is merely trying to temper the expectations of your sailing prowess.” Colin nudged Lord Balfour in the ribs with his elbow.
Lord Balfour rubbed his sore ribs. “All the same, I shall have to hunt up some good luck charms to carry with me now.”
Serena giggled. “I am sure you will be fine. We should write to each other.”
“That sounds like a splendid idea,” Lord Balfour agreed.
Colin and Abigail shared a smile but did not say anything as the others made their plans. After lunch, Lord Balfour and Serena took a walk while Colin became wrangled in a conversation about business with Lord Grey. Abigail offered to help the maids clean up, but they shooed her off.
Abigail came over to sit next to her mother on a bench overlooking the garden. “You look well, Mother.”
“As do you, Abigail,” Lady Grey returned. She eyed Abigail, and it made her nervous. “You really have grown into quite the Duchess. I never would have thought it when I saw you chasing your sister around these gardens.”
Abigail laughed. “I suppose I can see what you mean.”
“Still here you are, a Duchess with a child of your own on the way. I cannot be more proud of you, Abigail.” Her mother’s words touched Abigail.
Abigail shook her head. “A year ago, I was marrying my sister’s husband.”
“And thank goodness you did. He is a fine man, and despite how you two girls made a mess of things, it really did turn out for the best.” Lady Grey clicked her tongue. “I wager that you shall have your own wishes for your children not to pull such shenanigans.”
Her mother had a point. Abigail grinned. “I am already praying every night for forgiveness.”
Lady Grey smiled. “I think you will make a fine mother. You certainly will listen to your children better than I did.”
“Oh, Mother, we should have come to you and given you the option to listen to us.” Abigail put her hand over her mother’s hand on the bench. “I think you will be a wonderful grandmother, just like you were a mother.”
Chapter Eighteen
The low moo of a cow in the adjacent field echoed yet another wail from Mrs. Edna Williams. She rose on her elbows and stared pitifully into Dr. Liam Parson’s eyes as he carefully lifted his arm and ran a shirt sleeve over his forehead. He allowed himself a moment to stand upright, giving his six-foot frame relief from the pinch in his lower back. Mrs. Williams had been in labor for over eight hours. Thomas Williams’ eyes darted from Liam to Dr. Levi Hughes, his arm bent at the elbow as he once again grabbed his wife’s hand. Liam wasn’t sure who needed the comfort more.
* * *
“The first on
e is crowning,” Dr. Hughes whispered.
* * *
Edna wailed again, her auburn hair coming loose from the braid that ran nearly to her waist. Her breathing was coming in short quick gasps and her pallor was paling. It had been a hard delivery. Aside from a few breach births Liam had performed, this one was the hardest.
* * *
“Quick!” Dr. Hughes motioned for his black bag
. “Give me the laudanum.”
* * *
Liam brushed his sandy blonde hair away from his forehead again with the same shirt sleeve. He could feel sweat trickle down the center of his back. Early June didn’t usually bring heat like that day. His brow pulled low over pale green eyes. “Laudanum? Why?”
* * *
Dr. Hughes impatiently clucked his tongue. “For the pain, boy! Get me my bag!” His cheeks turned red and his brown eyes became hard
. It was a familiar song and dance for the doctors.
* * *
“I learned in Des Moines that it’s better to help the mother through the pain with controlled breathing.” Liam turned his attention to the couple
. He knew what was at stake here, and laudanum could steal the very joy right out from under Edna Williams in the form of one or both of her twins dying. Not to mention that her own life was at stake. The Williams were in their thirties. They had longed for a child for over twelve years, and the Lord had seen fit to give them two at once for all the waiting. “Edna, concentrate your breathing. Concentrate on keeping it steady. Blow your breath out in short bursts. It will help get you through the pain and help stop you from holding your breath.”
* * *
“It hurts so bad,” she hiccupped out.
* * *
“I know it does, but you can do this.”
* * *
“Will the laudanum hurt the babies?” Thomas Williams asked
, his large brown eyes round like tea cup saucers.
* * *
“No,” Dr. Hughes swiftly answered, his face hard.
* * *
“It could,” Liam interrupted. “If she loses consciousness then we may not be able to get the second baby out.”
* * *
Only a moment passed, the couple silently communicating as they looked at each other. Liam hoped he could have something like that one day. A relationship so strong that vital decisions could be made jointly with one look.
* * *
Edna pinned Liam with her tired eyes. “Show me how to breathe. No medicine.”
* * *
Liam nodded, ignoring the barely heard curse whispered under Dr. Hughes’ breath.
* * *
An hour later, Liam smiled and said his goodbye for the day to Thomas and Edna Williams. The couple was beaming and could hardly tear their eyes away from their babies. Thomas held his newborn son tightly to his chest, and Edna cooed and sighed at her tiny daughter. Each baby weighed under seven pounds, but considering they were twins and born a little early, Liam was confident they would be perfectly fine.
* * *
“I’ll come by tomorrow and bring you both some eggs, and as soon as we slaughter the hog, I’ll make sure you both get some salted bacon,” Thomas assured the doctors.
* * *
“Thank you, Thomas.” Dr. Hughes smiled tightly and turned to leave, his eyes grazing Liam leaving scorch marks.
* * *
Liam cleared his throat. “Yes, thank you. I look forward to it. Make sure you rest for the next couple days, Edna. I’ll come round tomorrow to check on Edna and the babies.” He winked at Thomas
. “I’ll just pick up the eggs then. I’ve been craving a good fried egg.”
* * *
Liam new what he had waiting for him once they cleared earshot of the Williams’ little farmhouse. Dr. Hughes’ tight smile and barely civil departure had nothing to do with being paid in eggs and bacon instead of real money; real money for a doctor was a rare thing. Most people paid with the most valuable things they had: the fruits of hard farm life. Liam found it convenient. He would have more than enough time to make “real money” once he was back in Chicago with his father Dr. Joseph Parsons and working in a real hospital. Perhaps he could even one day be a surgeon. In the meantime, Clinton, Iowa, was fine with him. He had more than enough work to keep him busy.
* * *
They walked in silence until they had crested the first rolling hill before Dr. Hughes turned on his heel and poked Liam in the sternum with a forefinger.
* * *
“Don’t you ever embarrass me like that in front of one of my patients ever again!”
* * *
One of his patients. Liam shook his head and allowed his tongue to shoot out of his mouth slowly, retracting it in the same manner. It was the perfect opportunity to count to three. His mother taught him at an early age to never respond when angry until he had counted to at least three. Once he had counted to three the emotion had cooled enough that whatever happened next was meant, making him accountable for it. His parents taught him that excuses were often formed through laziness.
* * *
“Edna Williams is my patient too.”
* * *
“Wrong.” Levi Hughes dragged the word out, forcing his mouth to twist and one eye to squint
. “They are all my patients! You’re just here to play doctor and perhaps learn something
. That is, if you can stop interrupting me and talking yourself!”
* * *
Liam counted all the way to five that time. It wouldn’t do the situation any good to announce that he had “learned” many things already from his father, and he had “learned” even more from devouring as many books and medical journals as he could get his hands on. He had also “learned” by going to the rare and wonderful medical conferences like the one he had just returned from in Des Moines.
* * *
“You should have come with me to Des Moines. You would have been impressed.” Liam cleared his throat lightly as Levi’s face turned a deeper shade of red
. “Maybe you could have taught them something.”
* * *
Levi’s body visibly straightened. “Yeah, maybe I could have. Doesn’t matter though.” His hand tightened on the handle of his black medical bag
. “These people don’t need fancy medical treatments, Liam. This is Clinton, Iowa, for Pete’s sake! These are simple folks!
Farmers. Lumbermen. Some work on the railroad. They just need simple things!”
* * *
“Until the day they die,” Liam replied quietly.
* * *
Levi Hughes ground his teeth; the hardness of things he had seen reflected in his eyes like a shadow. “Yeah. Until the day they die.”
* * *
Liam watched the older man’s back as he walked away. The limp was more prominent after being on his feet for any extended length of time. Robert limped now too, but his was noticeable all the time.
* * *
“Until the day they die,” was a mantra Dr. Hughes lived by. In Liam’s opinion, Levi Hughes looked to the inevitable day of death for any patient as his excuse to not try new things. Everyone dies anyway.
* * *
Liam looked up to the sky. The afternoon was long spent. He watched a black bird soar from the cover of a pine and ride the breeze with wings spread wide.
* * *
“Those who wait on the Lord will mount up with wings like eagles…” Liam whispered. He wanted, desperately at times, to have a good working relationship with the older doctor, but all Liam was to him was a threat. A threat to his livelihood and reputation.
* * *
Liam sighed. “I’m waiting on you, Lord. It’s all in your hands.”
Ellie Fowler adjusted her pale blue bonnet, tying the bow at the right edge of her jaw a little tighter. It could be breezy, and she wasn’t ready for her brother-in-law to know that she had whacked off nearly six inches of her thick brown hair. Roy Goodall was a
n old soul in a twenty-five-year-old body, and to him women should cook, clean, make babies, and take every precaution necessary to stay adorned simply just as the Bible explained. He would have made an excellent husband in the Amish community. Ellie could barely make a decent ponytail at this point. She hoped he wouldn’t notice and lecture her on the sins of women trying to be too manly. She definitely hoped he wouldn’t tell her that a woman’s hair was her glory. Ellie harrumphed to herself and narrowed her dark brown eyes. She was a midwife! Midwives did not have time for foolishness when a baby was coming! She had tired of the long braid, the occasional bun, the excessive brushing of hair nearly to her waist! She needed freedom to work!
* * *
“Miss?” A soft voice broke her from her mental reverie
. She turned her head and stared into the concerned face of one of the train porters. He held out his hand to her.
* * *
“I’m sorry, I must have been daydreaming.” She smiled
. “What is it?”
* * *
“The…um…the train has stopped.” His eyes travelled down to her waist then quickly shot back up to her face