In the Garden of Temptation (28 page)

“
Now there’s something to
hope for,” Charlotte muttered.

The baroness gave her first genuine smile in
two days. “Oh, Charlotte, I’m going to miss you, also.”

The two women sat in companionable silence
for quite some time, enjoying their final moments together. When
Lady Richards departed at last, Catherine could not remember ever
having felt more alone.

*****

CHAPTER 10

“
Hello, little one. How are
you today?”

Catherine placed her hand on her swollen
belly with something akin to reverence. She watched in fascination
as a tiny unseen limb moved under the surface of her stomach,
creating a rolling lump that was visible even through her gown.
Smiling, she ran her fingers over the movement in unspoken
communication with her sweet babe.

She closed her eyes and sighed. She was
weary, so weary. Spring had arrived and not a moment too soon.
Catherine had endured the bleakest winter she could remember. The
castle, never warm, seemed frozen, the stone walls harboring the
damp cold like an enormous block of ice. The chill had seeped into
her very bones, and Catherine had feared she would never thaw.

With the spring had come the impending birth
of her child and with it all the uncertainty and burgeoning hope
that momentous event entailed. She was frightened, and yet her joy
could not be contained. It seemed appropriate that the awakening of
new life in the fertile earth should herald the new life she would
soon bring forth into the world.

Her pregnancy had not been a difficult one,
although she had now reached the time when she felt physically
uncomfortable. Her feet were puffy and her middle had grown to
colossal proportions.

The baron had been oddly indulgent these last
months, going out of his way to make her more comfortable.
Sometimes it meant avoiding her altogether, which he seemed to
understand instinctively. He kept a watchful eye on her, though,
and she was wise enough to understand the priceless cargo she
carried motivated him. His solicitous conduct told her more than
words ever could how important this child was to him.

She had taken over the parlor in recent weeks
with Edgar’s blessing, it being the warmest room in the house. He
said navigating the stairs more than absolutely necessary posed a
risk. “After all, a woman increasing is not as certain on her
feet,” he insisted. And so she would come downstairs in the morning
with Edna’s help and not return to her chamber before she retired
for the evening.

She liked the arrangement, and for the first
time since she wed the baron she almost felt at home. Even Willy
did not dare upset her, apparently choosing to follow his master’s
lead—or orders. She had a glimpse of what life with Edgar would
have been had he been more stable. It would never have been a
passionate union but it could have been companionable.

All and all, Catherine would have been
content with her lot if she could forget the earl. It was
impossible, and the harder she tried the more difficult it
became.

She loved him and her heart hurt in a way she
could not have imagined possible. Coupled with that pain was an
overriding guilt she could not put aside. He believed she had
deceived him. Even though she was innocent, he would never be aware
of it, and that was the most difficult thing of all. She could come
to grips with not seeing him again, but knowing he would always
despise her was a crushing blow.

Catherine eased herself off the settee she
occupied and winced as she set her feet on the floor. They always
ached so when first she used them after a long rest. She hobbled to
the hearth in lumbering fashion to stoke the fire. It might be
spring outside, but the castle always felt chilly.

She did not feel well today. Her lower back
ached, and the baby had been particularly restless the last hour or
so. She pulled a rocking chair closer to the fire with the
intention of sitting down but decided to walk instead. Perhaps she
should exercise a bit. She had been prone to unpleasant leg cramps.
Several turns around the room did not produce any relief.

“
Are you unwell, my dear?”
The baron had entered the room and now watched her clumsy progress
as she paced the parlor.

Catherine looked up at her husband. “I’m not
certain. It’s been some time since I’ve felt well, so I don’t
expect that. All I can say is, I feel different somehow.”

“
Should I send for the
midwife?” he asked anxiously.

“
Surely, it’s not time for
my confinement. The doctor seemed to think it would be another two
weeks.”

“
Perhaps you should sit
down.”

“
I’m not comfortable sitting
down.”
Did that shrewish voice belong to
her?

“
Yes, well, I’m going to
send for your maid.”

“
Oh dear! Oh dear!”
Catherine shrieked suddenly, and her eyes widened in astonishment
as a gush of water sluiced down her legs, drenching her petticoats
and then the carpet beneath her.

“
What is it?” Her scream
must have unnerved him, for he jumped like a startled
cat.

“
I’m not certain, but I
think this is what’s called the ‘water breaking.’”

“
You don’t know?”

“
Why should I know?” she
snapped.

“
You’re a woman,” he said as
if that explained everything. “I just thought you would understand
what was happening.”

“
Well, I don’t. I’ve never
been at a birthing. I’ve spent my entire adult life in this damned
castle. What do you think, because I’m female, I’m born with this
information conveniently locked in my head for use when I need
it?”

“
Catherine, I have no
idea.”

“
I’ll tell you this much,
there are supposed to be pains and I haven’t had a one.”

Strange how mentioning a circumstance can
invoke that very thing, for suddenly a rather unpleasant pang
gripped her middle, causing her to gasp for air.

“
I guess that was not
entirely unbearable,” she breathed when finally she could
speak.

This last sent the baron into action. “That
tears it! I’m sending for the midwife.” He raced to the door.
“Willy!” he bellowed.

Immediately Willy Gant’s footsteps could be
heard pounding down the hall. “My lord?” he wheezed as he rushed
into the parlor.

“
Lady Bourgeault’s time is
upon her. Have a footman carry her upstairs. Then fetch the midwife
and be quick about it.”

Willy disappeared and moments later a burly
footman entered the room.

“
Carry your mistress to her
quarters,” Lord Bourgeault commanded.

Catherine found herself whisked up into the
strong arms of the servant, and she held on for dear life as he
moved swiftly to the stairs. Another contraction seized her and she
moaned into the young man’s shoulder.

“
My lady, I’m so sorry. Am I
hurting you?”

The concern in the footman’s voice caused her
eyes to sting with unshed tears. “No, no, just nature giving me a
little nudge,” she said unsteadily.

They reached her apartment, and Catherine
could feel the servant’s words rumble in his chest as he spoke.
“Edna, lass, our lady’s pains have started. Pull back the blankets
on the bed so I can make her comfortable.”

“
Aye, Robby.”

Something in Edna’s tone caused the baroness
to turn her head and glance at her maid. For a fleeting moment she
saw a look of pure adulation on Edna’s face when she answered the
footman. Catherine wished she had time to ponder this interesting
turn of events, but unfortunately, she had to give her attention to
more pressing matters.

Robby carefully placed his mistress on the
mattress and, as he backed away, he looked into Catherine’s
flustered features.

“
Our prayers are with you,
my lady.”

Why that small kindness should mean so much,
she could not say, but as she took in the anxious expressions on
her servants’ faces, she knew they cared. For a young woman who
felt isolated from all affection, that caring provided a gentle
balm for a lost, lonely soul.

“
Edna,” Catherine said as
Robby withdrew, “I’m frightened. I don’t want to do this. Do you
think it’s too late to turn back?”

The maid giggled halfheartedly. “My lady, I
wish I could say you have that choice, but I’m afraid you must go
through with it. But don’t worry, it’s been done before. And I can
promise you will think it worth while when you hold your sweet babe
for the first time.”

“
Have you been at a birthing
before?”

“
Yes, yes, of course. I’ll
take good care of you, and the midwife will be here
soon.”

To be sure that turned out to be the case.
The midwife arrived in short order and, after an abbreviated but
intense labor, almost one year to the day she first made love to a
handsome earl in a secluded glen, Catherine brought his child into
the world. The squalls of a healthy infant pierced the air, and a
collective sigh of relief was felt throughout the castle.

“
My dear, sweet lady, you
were brave.” Edna squeezed the water from a damp cloth and placed
it on Catherine’s forehead.

“
You’re being charitable and
you know it,” the baroness croaked, her voice so tired she could
barely speak.

“
Giving birth is quite a
chore,” the maid insisted. “You should be very pleased with
yourself.”

At that moment the midwife approached with
the baby. “All cleaned up and ready for a mother’s arms. What a
precious bundle you have, my lady.” She placed the swaddled infant
across the baroness’ chest.

Catherine gazed into the tiny, wrinkled face
of her child and a sense of ecstasy burst free within her, warming
her body from its very core.

“
Hello, my little baron,”
she whispered. “I’ve been waiting so long to make your
acquaintance.” She glanced up and caught the two women exchanging a
look of surprise.

“
There seems to be some
confusion, my lady,” Edna ventured.

“
What is it? He’s all right,
isn’t he? Tell me nothing’s wrong with him,” Catherine demanded
anxiously.

“
It’s nothing like that.
It’s just, well…” Edna paused as she looked at the midwife again
then continued. “The baby’s not a boy. You’ve given birth to a
girl, my lady, a lovely, beautiful girl.”

Dear Lord, her deepest fear realized. All the
elation of the moment vanished only to be replaced by a terrible
feeling of foreboding. Not even now at the birth of her child would
she be allowed to enjoy the fruits of her labor. What would Edgar
say? More to the point, what would he do?

Her dismay must have been apparent, for Edna
rushed to reassure her. “A girl is as fine as a boy, my lady. Don’t
let anyone tell you different.”

Catherine was too exhausted and heartsick to
explain to the little maid how things really stood. She had never
bothered to share her husband’s preference in the matter, and now
with the midwife in attendance, this did not seem to be the time.
Later would be soon enough. She drew the fragile newborn to her
breast and closed her drooping eyes. Within moments she fell into a
dreamless sleep.

*****

Catherine came awake in the early morning.
Her lids blinked open in the sun-brightened room, and she stared
without recognition at the dust motes that floated on the incoming
beams of daylight. She ached all over, and she groaned aloud as she
gingerly shifted her battered body beneath the coverlet. Awareness
came to her as she remembered the events of the day before. Her
breath caught in her throat.

She abruptly sat up in the
rumpled bed, alert to a plaintive mewling that came from somewhere
in the room. Her gaze traveled the chamber, seeking out the faint
noise, when she saw…
the baron!
He was occupying the rocking chair by the
fireplace, and next to him in a small wooden cradle lay her child.
Edgar sat very still, arms folded over his chest as though he had
been waiting a long time.

With difficulty she managed not to let her
agitation show. “Good morning, Edgar. What are you doing here?”

“
Why, my dear, I’m getting
to know my little daughter.”

His voice was devoid of emotion, however,
there was no mistaking his mood. He was angry, dreadfully so.

Catherine licked her lips. Some response was
required, but for her very life she could think of nothing to
say.

When she did not speak, her husband
continued. “You’ve failed me, Catherine. Unequivocally and without
doubt you’ve let me down. I cannot verbalize the disappointment I
feel at this moment.”

“
You seem to be doing quite
well so far, Edgar,” she said with some asperity.

He didn’t address her remark, instead saying,
“Do you have any idea where this leaves us?”

“
Where?”

“
At the beginning—at the
very bloody beginning,” he snarled. He leaned forward in the
rocker. “There’s nothing for it, we’re going to have to do it all
over again.”

“
You can’t mean it! Lord
Ashworth will never agree now that he knows what you have in
mind.”

“
I have no intention of
allowing you within a country mile of Lord Ashworth, so don’t give
it a second thought. We’ll have to find another gentleman. I doubt
it will be difficult.”