Kate Robbins - The Highland Chiefs Series 03 (5 page)

Chapter Four

Freya followed Nessia to her chamber. The woman would bear her second child any day now, and it could not be easy for her to learn her husband would go into battle at this crucial time.

Nessia stopped in the hallway just before her chamber door and bent over, gasping.

“Are you unwell?” Freya asked.

She breathed deeply several times, in through her nose and out through her mouth, before stretching upright again. Placing the back of her hand on her forehead, she said, “I fear the babe comes early.” Her cheeks were flushed and her jaw set. “Go, fetch the midwife to be sure.”

Freya assisted Nessia into her chamber and onto her bed, then ran as quickly as she could toward the village and to Old Bridget’s cottage. Her feet pounded the hardened ground in time with her heartbeat. There was never a moment to lose when it came to childbirth. Freya knew that all too well. Sudden memories of her own lost child caught her breath, but she kept running.

She arrived at Bridget’s and knocked hard on the door. Shuffling from inside reminded her just how old Old Bridget was. It would take some time to get her to MacKay House.

“Bridget! ’Tis Nessia. Her pains have begun.”

No doubt mention of the laird’s wife would liven the old woman’s step. The door swung wide and Bridget emerged with her cloak wrapped around her shoulders and her satchel already packed.

“You were expecting me?”

“Always be ready, lass. When you get to my age, you realize the value of time. Now, bring me to her.”

Freya helped Bridget to MacKay House, marvelling at the life in the woman’s step. She had underestimated the strength the old woman still possessed.

Once inside the chamber, Bridget felt Nessia’s belly from top to bottom and side to side. She placed her hand on Nessia’s brow and frowned.

“The bairn is well and ready to come, lass. But I fear you are not. When did you start feeling feverish?”

In between panting Nessia said, “Last eve. But the pains only started this morn.”

Bridget turned to Freya, “Get me fresh linens and water, and go fetch your brother. Tell him the bairn comes early.”

Freya tugged on Bridget’s arm until she was well away from Nessia’s bed. “There is fear in your eyes? What is it?”

“All is well lass, the bairn is only a fortnight early, but I do not like her pallor.. Now go, get me my things, and for the love of all that is holy, do not put any fear into your brother. He will be hard enough to deal with as ’tis. He ordered me last time was to alert him the moment we know the bairn is coming and I will not challenge his order.”

With that, Bridget ushered Freya out the door and firmly closed it behind her. Freya recalled the day Nessia’s first babe was born just a year ago. Since Nessia had been previously married and widowed, there had been some speculation as to whether or not she was barren. When she became pregnant shortly after she and Fergus married, the entire village had come to pay their respects and bring gifts. That was a joyous day.

Her birthing day had not been so joyous.

With a tiny frame, Nessia had laboured long and hard to deliver her beautiful little girl, Rhona. Her recovery had not been easy either, and Fergus had been like a man possessed. Considering the faltering health of his first wife, Elizabeth, after their son was born, none could blame him.

Bridget was right, she could not risk bringing fear upon him again, as he would question everything the midwife would need to do to ensure both mother and bairn came through unscathed. Thankfully, Nessia was much healthier than Elizabeth had been.

Freya shook away thoughts of her own pregnancy and miscarriage two years earlier. She and Ronan had never had the opportunity to discuss it, as the battle that had occurred between their clans separated them until it was over. By then, Freya was certain no alliance would ever be possible.

She found Fergus in the armoury speaking with the MacKenzie and Ronan. Her pulse quickened at the sight of Ronan’s muscles flexing as he sharpened a broad sword. She lowered her gaze and moved to Fergus’s side.

Placing her hand on his arm. “Fergus, Bridget bids you to your chamber. She believes the babe comes early.”

Fergus whipped around to stare at her, his mouth agape. “What? When? Is Nessia unwell?”

Freya smiled through her fear. “She is well Fergus. Bridget has checked her and believes the babe to be just anxious to meet us all.”

She happened to glance at Ronan who stared at her with an intensity that nearly knocked her over. Did he also think of their lost child?

“Fergus, lad, go,” the MacKenzie said. “We will be off within the hour. Look for our ships in a fortnight, or earlier if possible.”

Fergus nodded. “Aye, we will be ready.” Freya’s heart constricted at the low and strained tone in Fergus’s voice. He turned to leave, collecting Freya by the elbow in the process.

She felt Ronan’s gaze on her back as she and her brother left the armoury. With all the MacKenzies gone for the next fortnight, she would no doubt see more of him. Could she maintain her resolve?

“Where do you go?” Fergus asked as she veered off.

“To the kitchens. Bridget asked me to fetch water and linens.”

His eyes widened. “She is close, then?” He did not wait for an answer, rather raced for the stairs and took them by threes.

Freya gathered all required and made her way to Nessia’s chamber. She did not need to rush, Nessia would no doubt be in labour for hours. Caring for Fergus’s first child and helping with his second had helped her heal from her own loss. Bridget had said she did not think she could not conceive again. Still, approaching Nessia’s chamber brought fresh anxiety she must bury, else she would not be any good to anyone.

“Fergus, lad, you must let me see to her.”

Fergus was practically wrapped around Nessia’s right side, stroking first her cheek and then her belly. “Why is she so warm?” he asked, ignoring the command. “Why does the babe come early?”

“I know not lad. Sometimes bairns come early. Sometimes mother’s catch a summer cold.”

“But ’tis not normal, Bridget. The fever I mean. ’Tis not normal for her to be burning up like this while she is in labour. Tell me what is going on!”

Fergus’s desperate plea made Freya’s eyes sting. She had never seen two people more devoted to one another than her brother and his wife.

Bridget straightened her shoulders. “I’ll tell you what is going on, Fergus. Your wife is about to have her second child and she doesn’t need a big lout like you up here upsetting her. She needs to find the strength we all know she has in order to see this babe into the world, and then she needs to rest. This wife is not fragile like your first one and you need to remember that. Comfort her instead of hanging onto your fears.”

Fergus kissed Nessia’s head and blinked several times. Freya moved forward and placed the linens on the side table along with the water. She wrung cloth in the cool water and wiped Nessia’s forehead. Her sister-in-law blinked and seemed to become a little more lucid from the effect.

“Fergus,” Nessia whispered. “Go.”

“I’ll not leave ye, lass. You kicked me out last time, and I’ll not go through the hell of listening to you in agony from the other side of this door again.” He looked at Bridget pointedly then. “And you’d best be getting used to that. All of you.”

“Oh, that is wonderful,” Bridget said under her breath. “I have two bairns to deal with over the next few hours then.”

Her irritated comment brought a smile to Nessia’s lips. A welcome sight. Freya continued wringing cloths and wipe Nessia’s forehead and neck. Before long, the glaze in her eyes had cleared some and the flush in her cheeks subsided.

Bridget had just finished checking her progress when Nessia doubled forward in pain. When she cried out, Fergus was there to give her his strong arm to hold onto. Freya’s gaze to shot to Bridget who nodded.

“She is ready.” She then turned to Nessia. “Love, your bairn wants to meet you. Are you ready?”

“Aye!”

Fergus helped her into position.

“Push!” Bridget commanded.

Freya sat on Nessia’s other side and held her arm as Nessia started to push a new life into their world. Something about the desperate look in Nessia’s eyes struck Freya differently than the last time the woman had given birth. She looked afraid. An iron determination welled up inside Freya. She was so helpless in this situation and could not even imagine what it must be like for Fergus.

“Nessia, you are doing wonderfully,” she said.

“Aye,” Bridget agreed. “I can see the head, love. Your wee one is almost here. Just a couple more pushes now. Push!”

Nessia did not cry out this time, her focus fixed on Bridget as she tucked her chin into her chest and did as she was bid.

Two pushes later and the infant’s cry echoed through the chamber. A girl.

Everyone gasped. They had come through it. Freya smiled at the sight of Fergus and Nessia laughing together.

“Oh, love, we’re not done yet?”

“What?” Fergus said as his face lost all colour.

“I mean, there is another wee one in there awaiting its mother’s help to meet us.” Bridget swaddled the little lassie and handed her to Freya.

The newborn’s tiny hand worked its way out of the bundle and reached for Freya’s hand. Little fingers wrapped around hers and held fast. Freya’s heart was so full of emotion, she was sure it would burst.

“Nessia, love, I need you to push again, now,” Bridget said, breaking Freya’s moment with the newest MacKay.

Nessia cried out louder this time. The tension in the chamber changed with the sound.

“What is wrong?”

“There is a second child but it is coming bottom first.” She shook her head. “’Tis breeched, lad.”

“Can’t you do something?” The fear in his eyes was heart-wrenching.

Nessia had gotten that glazed look again. This was not good.

“Fergus, come hold your daughter,” Freya said. “I can help Nessia.

“No! Tell me what to do,” he whispered, his look beseeching.

She understood his desperation, so if he was willing to help, then she would hold him to task.

Freya nodded. “Very well. Take those cloths, dip them in the cool water and wipe her brow.”

Fergus was around the bed in moments doing exactly as he was told.

“Ahhhhhhh!” Nessia’s cry was weak. It appeared, the swift first labour had taken her strength.

“Fergus, talk to her,” Freya said. “She needs to push when told or the babe will be in danger.”

“I’ll first need to turn it,” Bridget said. “Hold her, Fergus. This will be painful.”

Freya closed her eyes and rocked the wee bairn in her arms as Bridget tried her best to turn the baby in Nessia’s belly. She prayed to the good heavens above that both the babe and Nessia would come away unscathed, but she did not hold out much hope. The more time that passed, the less likely it would be that either survived.

After an age, and many tears and agonized cries from Nessia, Bridget said, “’Tis done. The babe is turned. I need you to push, Nessia. Now!”

Nessia pushed and Freya watched in horror as a lifeless little form slid from her body. Bridget placed her fingers in the babe’s mouth to clear the airways, but nothing would bring the babe to make the sound everyone desperately longed for.

“Fergus, where are my babies?” Nessia asked, her voice a mere whisper.

Bridget shook her head and frowned. Fresh tears flowed down her cheeks as she wrapped the babe in the same way as the first child.

“Bring the babe to her mother,” Bridget said to Freya.

An ache she had not experienced in two years welled up within her. Her tears could not be contained as she moved to Nessia’s side and placed her daughter in her arms.

Fergus appeared only to then notice the boy’s lifelessness.

“No, no, no, no!” He looked at Bridget. “Please, no,” he whispered. He picked up the bundle and rocked it.

“Aye lad,” she said, placing her hands over his arms. “We could not save the little laddie. God has called him home again. You must focus on your daughter and her mother now, for they are well.”

“What do we do with him?” Fergus asked.

“We’ll give him a proper burial,” Bridget said, through her tears. “One befitting a laird’s son.”

“Do not take him just yet.”

“I will not lad.”

Nessia held her daughter and cried. Fergus wrapped his arms around them both and closed his eyes, nodding to Bridget.

“Freya, fetch Father Morris. The bairn will need blessing.”

With a heavy heart, Freya left the chamber.

“Father,” she said when she found him in the chapel. “Nessia’s bairns have come early—”

“Bairns?”

“Aye, and one—” Freya choked on her sob.

Father Morris was beside her in an instant. “Oh, love, I am so sorry.” He shushed her when she whimpered. “Only our Lord knows why such things happen. ’Tis part of the great mystery.”

Freya was not ready to hear this yet. “Father, please, they need you.”