Free The Lost And Found Girl by Catherine King Page B

stayed more than a couple of nights at High Fell, she was relieved that he had not insisted on his marital rights in deference to the child. But did all women grow so large? Dear heaven, her child must be ready now, and surely only a male child would grow so big. Mrs Roberts had to wait on her and she did so most ungraciously but nonetheless competently. The housekeeper came in and set down an armful of linen on the chest.
    ‘Leave my undergarments out,’ Beth said. ‘We have a visitor and I should like to dress and come downstairs for dinner.’
    ‘The mistress won’t have it, you being such a sight. I’ll bring you a tray.’
    Probably with poison in it, Beth thought. Mrs Roberts blamed Beth for everything that went wrong with her life including being too ill to see her husband buried as though it were Beth’s fault the bridge had collapsed.
    Beth did not argue and kept calm for the sake of herunborn baby. The days passed, and every day she willed him to appear. He squirmed and kicked so frequently she thought he must have eight legs. But she loved him already and knew he was sure to be a blessing for all of them. She looked forward to and welcomed motherhood. Her marriage was not happy but an infant would give her the fulfilment she needed to survive her life at High Fell Farm. The months of waiting would soon be over and she allowed her excitement to bubble as she listed the names she might choose for her child.
    She heard the distant sound of shotguns on the fell. Edgar was staying at Fellwick Hall with other visiting gentry, to stalk deer. He would be back soon though for the birth if not for her sake. Knowing how much he needed an heir gave her the confidence to ignore the rudeness of the other women she lived with. Motherhood was her future and she grew excited at the prospect. Beth acknowledged that she would never be able to love her husband, not even as the father of her child. She had no respect for him so it was impossible. She realised, though, that she did not care because she would have her children. Yes, children. She would have more. A few minutes of Edgar’s brutishness could give her a lifetime of love from a child. Do hurry up, she whispered to the mound under the bedclothes in front of her.
    A few days later, she watched through the bedchamber window as Edgar arrived with Milo and the Redfern surgeon, Dr Melville, in Milo’s carriage. Edgar brought the medical man into her bedchamber. He was elderly and dressed in old-fashioned breeches and powdered wig. He had a serious face and brisk manner.
    ‘Good afternoon, ma’am.’ He bowed his head briefly and turned to her husband. ‘Forgive my intrusion, sir, but whenlabour starts I should like a day bed put up in this room so I may be with your wife at all times. I trust you do have your own bedchamber?’
    ‘I do.’
    ‘Excellent. You may continue relations as normal before the birth.’
    There was a pause of a few seconds while Edgar realised what the doctor meant.
    ‘But I have not lain with her for months. She said it was for the baby’s safety.’
    ‘There is no need for that, sir. You will not harm the child. Indeed you may bring on his birth and by the size of her it is time.’
    ‘Is that so? It will hurry him along?’
    Dr Melville nodded seriously. ‘I advise it, sir. It is a tried and tested method.’
    Beth despaired of this advice. ‘Is there no other way, sir?’
    The doctor’s offended expression told her he was not used to his wisdom being questioned.
    Edgar glowered at her and she glared back. He grimaced as though the idea was as distasteful to him as it was to her. ‘We’ll do it after dinner,’ he said and opened the door to leave, adding, ‘Be ready for me.’
    When he had closed the door behind him she pleaded with the doctor. ‘Surely such activity must harm my unborn child?’
    ‘I sincerely hope you are not going to be a difficult mother. You are under my orders now and I know what is best. Now, call your