Page 72 of Debating with the Duke (Second Sons of London 2)

“There, that’s nice, isn’t it?” she asked.

Sarah nodded.

“Are you excited about having a new sister or brother?”

“I want a girl,” Sarah said emphatically.

“Boys are nice, too,” Adalyn told her as she looked to the mother. “Do you have a preference?”

“I am hoping for a boy, Your Grace. I think that would please Mr. Haggert. Oh!” She grasped her burgeoning belly and cried out, “It’s too soon!”

Adalyn slipped Sarah from her lap and stood. “Is it the baby?” she asked anxiously and glanced down, seeing water trickling onto the floor.

“Yes. But it’s not due for another two or three weeks. That’s what the midwife said.”

She went to the mother and clasped her hand. “Babies tend to come when they want to. Not when we wish them to.”

“But Sarah came right on time,” Mrs. Haggert said, fear in her voice. “What if . . . something is wrong?”

“The midwife will take care of it,” she said firmly. “Let me get you settled and then I will go for her.”

She helped Mrs. Haggert rise just as a swoosh sounded, leaving water everywhere. Adalyn swallowed her own fear, not knowing the first thing about how babies came. She hadn’t known water was involved at all.

Helping Mrs. Haggert over to the bed on the far side of the room, she removed the woman’s boots and clothing, placing a night gown over her head before settling her into the bed. All the while, Mrs. Haggert was moaning and panting.

“It’s coming. Oh, this is too soon,” she told Adalyn. “There isn’t time for the midwife. What will I do?”

Adalyn took the woman’s hand. “It is whatwewill do,” she emphasized. “You have done this before. I have not. Tell me what I must do. Quickly, Mrs. Haggert,” she said as the woman curled up and then screamed.

Little Sarah also let out a piercing scream, echoing that of her mother. Knowing the girl was frightened, she knelt and wrapped her arms about Sarah.

“Your mama is going to have her baby now,” she said as calmly as she could. “It requires privacy. It is a pretty day. Do you think you could go and play outside?”

Sarah nodded, her thumb jammed into her mouth. Taking her hand, Adalyn led her to where she saw a doll lying on a pallet.

“Is this your baby doll?” she asked.

The girl nodded.

“Let’s take her outside then. You can practice caring for her just like you will help your mother care for your new sibling.”

She led Sarah from the cottage and looked about to see if she could see anyone nearby. Another cottage was about a quarter of a mile in the distance. She wondered if she should go there now and summon help. Then another earth-shattering scream pierced the air.

“Stay outside and play until I come and get you, Sarah. All right?”

The girl nodded and sat upon the ground, cuddling her doll.

Quickly, Adalyn returned inside and saw Mrs. Haggert trying to rise from the bed.

“Where are you going?”

“The chair,” the woman panted. “The midwife said sitting up makes things go more quickly. That it . . . eases the babe out better.”

“I see you have a neighbor. Should I go to her? Have her send for the midwife?”

Mrs. Haggert hissed through gritted teeth. “I don’t think there’s time, Your Grace.”

“Then I will send Sarah and stay with you. I will be right back.”

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