La Flamme (Historical Romance) (29 page)

Never one to lament for long, Sabine busied herself in preparing for the baby. She selected the three rooms that had been Garreth's nursery, and began making them ready for her baby.

The bright moments in her life were when she heard from Richard. Lately his letters were filled with enthusiasm. He wrote of his many friends and his love of his studies. She was lonely for him, but she would see him in the summer. Winter had finally loosened its grip on the land and there was a promise of spring in the tepid breezes that swept across the fertile valley. In protected areas grass had begun to sprout and turn green, and the skies were blue and cloudless.

It was in March that Sabine received a letter from Garreth's mother stating that she would be arriving at Wolfeton Keep within the month. Sabine was happy and a little apprehensive—at last she would meet the dowager.

Garreth had been away for three weeks. He'd informed Sabine that the Archbishop of Canterbury had urgently requested his presence in London.

At night when she was alone, she agonized over the thought that Garreth might be with Lady Meredith. It was no more than she deserved, she admitted. After all, had she not driven him away with her pretended aloofness?

32

Archbishop William Laud stood with his hands clasped behind him, his face barely masking his concern as he conversed with Garreth. "This woman— this Lady Meredith must be located with all haste. Her actions are merely stirring up memories that are best left in the past. His majesty wants this entire affair over and done!"

"As do I, Your Excellency," Garreth replied, trying to be tolerant of yet another demand from the king.

"We have heard that Lady Meredith has made threats against her grace. I don't need to tell you what his majesty's enemies can make of this."

"You will forgive me if my first concern is for my wife. Assure his majesty that every precaution has been taken to protect her and to locate Lady Meredith."

"This is a pretty muddle."

Garreth was weary of trying to please the king. He had ridden hard to reach London, and had not seen a bed in two days. "If there is more we can do, Your Excellency, you will have to tell me."

"As you know, his majesty is in Scotland. He's asked that you remain in London until he returns. While you wait, we want you to make yourself visible. Accept every invitation, attend every ball. The lady will surely get word that you are in London and show herself."

"It might draw Lady Meredith out of hiding, and it could keep her away from Sabine," Garreth said. "However, I do not like to be away from my wife at this time. The birth of the baby draws near."

"I assume you have her well protected?"

"I do, Your Excellency."

"Then we shall set a trap for Lady Meredith; you, of course, being the bait."

Garreth crossed his long legs and stared at the archbishop. "I agree to your plan. But know this—I shall not tarry in London past two weeks."

William Laud picked up a quill, scribbling notes. "Where will I find you?"

"My London house, Blackthorn Hall."

"Be alert, Your Grace. This woman could be anywhere."

"I'll find her," Garreth vowed. "She has a debt to pay, and she'll pay it."

The archbishop saw the dangerous glint in Garreth's eyes. He would not want to be Lady Meredith if she fell into the duke's hands.

Sabine awoke and stretched her arms over her head, while she watched the first light of dawn reflect off the wall of her bedchamber. She struggled to a sitting position, which was no easy accomplishment. Her stomach was fully rounded, and she felt clumsy and awkward.

After she had breakfasted, she went to the nursery to make certain it was ready. As she ran her hands over the rosewood cradle that had been Garreth's, she tried to think of him as a baby. What had he been like—would her baby look like him?

Ysabel appeared in the doorway, her face flushed with excitement. "Her grace has arrived."

"Garreth's mother!" Sabine dashed down the corridor to her chamber and glanced at her reflection, patting her hair into place. "I had not expected her until next week. I look a sight."

Sabine picked up a lace cap and placed it on her head, hoping to look matronly. "I have wanted to meet her for so long, and now I am nervous. What if she doesn't like me?"

"She has gentle eyes," Ysabel said. "And I could tell that she is also nervous about meeting you. Perchance she is worried that you won't like her. She's waiting in the small salon."

"I'm ready," Sabine said, walking toward the door.

Slowly she descended the staircase, not wanting to take the chance of falling. She paused before the closed door of the salon with her hand on the handle, gathering her courage. Then she entered the room to find Garreth's mother standing near the window.

Sabine took a step, and the movement caught Adrienne Blackthorn's attention. She turned around, and Sabine looked into the kindest eyes she had ever seen.

"Sabine, my dear," the dowager said, rushing forward. "How long I have waited for this day."

Many times Sabine had pictured the dowager duchess in her mind. She had thought of her as tall and imposing, not as the petite woman who now stood before her. Her dark hair was shot with gray, and her eyes were dark like Garreth's, but soft. She smiled sweetly, almost shyly, at Sabine.

"My dear, you are so lovely. I knew that your hair was red, although I have never seen that particular shade before—it's magnificent. Oh, would it not be marvelous if you have a daughter with your hair?"

For some reason, Sabine wanted to cry—her mother-in-law's kindness overwhelmed her.

Adrienne Blackthorn hesitated for only a moment before she enfolded Garreth's wife in her arms. She could feel Sabine relax against her and tightened her arms around her.

"Your Grace, I am so glad to meet you at last."

Adrienne held Sabine away. "Let me get a closer look at you." She touched a red curl. "You cannot guess how happy I am about the baby. I had begun to despair that I would not hold Garreth's child in my arms before I died. And, of course I wanted to know you."

"I feel we already know each other," Sabine said hesitantly. "Your letters were always such a comfort to me, Your Grace."

"No, no—we will have not titles here, Sabine. If you call me Your Grace, I shall have to call you Your Grace, and what a muddle that will be. Can we not be Sabine and Adrienne?"

Sabine drew in a relieved breath. "I would like that, Adrienne."

"Where is that son of mine?" she asked, looking toward the door.

"I'm sorry to tell you that he's in London. Had he known you were coming, I'm sure he would have been here."

"That suits me. This will give us a chance to get to know each other without interference."

Sabine could not help but laugh. "Are you weary from your journey? Would you like to rest?" Then she hesitated. "I should not have asked you that, this is your home."

Adrienne took her hand. "No, my dear. You are now the mistress of Wolfeton Keep. I am but a guest, and that is as it should be. In truth, I have been looking forward to moving into the dowager house across the park. It's quite lovely, much smaller, and easier to manage."

"But—"

Adrienne shook her head. "No argument. I have always wanted to travel, and now I have the time. Would you deny me that pleasure?"

"No, of course not. But you will not leave until the baby is born, will you?"

Adrienne's eyes were shining, and she looked relieved. "Not if you want me with you."

"Oh, yes, please—I would very much like to have you with me. I know so little of giving birth. In truth, I'm sometimes frightened of having this baby alone."

"Then, my dear," Adrienne said, removing her hat and tossing it on a chair, "I shall be happy to stay. Truth to tell, I would have been disappointed if you hadn't asked me. I believe you and I are going to be great friends."

Sabine found Adrienne Blackthorn to be every bit as charming as her letters. So it was that the two Blackthorn women settled down in Wolfeton Keep to await the birth of the baby, and the return of the man they both loved.

*                                          *                                          *

Sabine had been having sharp pains in her back all morning, but had not mentioned it, thinking it would go away. Now it was getting worse as she and Adrienne walked in the garden.

Suddenly Sabine paled and gasped for breath, clutching her stomach.

Adrienne took her hand, clearly worried. "My dear, is it the baby?"

"I believe so." She gritted her teeth. "The pain is .. . intense." Sabine licked her dry lips. "Adrienne, it's too soon. The baby is not due for yet another month."

"Nature has a way of bringing this about. Try not to distress yourself, my dear. It would seem that I perfectly timed my visit."

Adrienne helped Sabine to a bench and then hurried through the kitchen door, calling for assistance to get Sabine to her bedchamber. When she returned to Sabine, she found her doubled over in pain.

Ysabel and Mrs. North entered the garden and the three of them helped Sabine into the house, up the stairs, and into bed. The physician was sent for, but he was away, and it was doubtful he would return in time to deliver Sabine's baby.

Adrienne watched Sabine doze between pains, and she raised troubled eyes to Ysabel. "What shall we do? Should we send for the village midwife?"

"I will attend her grace," Ysabel said with assurance.

The dowager looked doubtful. "Are you capable of delivering a baby?"

"Be not concerned—I know what is to be done."

"Very well. Between the two of us, we will see Sabine though this."

Ysabel touched Sabine's stomach. "She has suffered so much in her life, Your Grace. Would that I could bear this child for her."

"She is dear to you."

"Indeed, Your Grace."

At that moment, Sabine moaned and opened her eyes. She tightly gripped Adrienne's hand until the pain subsided.

"Rest when you can, my dear," Adrienne urged her. "You will need all your strength."

In a haze of anguish, Sabine looked frantically about the room. "Ysabel—1 want Ysabel!"

The old woman came to her. "I am here—all is well."

Sabine sighed and seemed to relax. On into the night she labored. When the first streaks of dawn lit the sky, she gave birth.

Ysabel gently handed the child to the dowager. "Tis a girl."

Lovingly, Adrienne wrapped her new granddaughter in a soft blanket and then cradled her in her arms. "I have never seen a birth where the baby does not cry," she said, softly kissing a tiny fist. "You are a wonder, Ysabel."

Ysabel did not hear her. She was watching Sabine with troubled eyes. "Is there still pain?" she asked.

Sabine rolled her head and tried not to cry out. "Ysabel, help me!"

Adrienne handed her granddaughter to Mrs. North and came back to Sabine. "What's wrong?"

"She should not be having this pain. Wait!" Ysabel cried in amazement. "What's this? There's another baby. Why did I not see this?"

Several minutes later, a second child was born. Ysabel was smiling happily as she handed the baby to Adrienne. "Your Grace, you have a pair of them. This one is a grandson."

Adrienne was so happy she was crying. She moved to Sabine, a baby nestled in each arm. "Garreth will be so pleased about these beautiful babies! He is the father of a beautiful daughter and an heir. God be praised— twins!"

Sabine smiled and touched each soft, downy head. "I cannot believe twins!" She felt happiness bubble up inside her, and a strong motherly love for the tiny infants.

"You must rest now, my dear," Adrienne told Sabine. "The long ordeal is over."

Weakly, Sabine turned her face to the wall as the sleeping draught Ysabel gave her began to take effect. There was a smile on her face as she drifted off to sleep.

Garreth greeted Captain Barkley, who had just come from Wolfeton Keep. "Is all well?" he inquired.

"Yes, Your Grace," the captain said, trying not to look pleased at the news he was delivering. He was told not to say anything until the duke had read the letter.

Proudly, he handed his grace the letter. "It's from her grace."

Garreth looked puzzled when he saw the handwriting. He had supposed it would be from Sabine. "My mother?"

"Yes, Your Grace."

"Does it require an answer?"

"I believe so, Your Grace."

Garreth broke the seal and read to himself.

My Son:

This is a glorious day, because before dawn, Sabine gave you two precious gifts of life. Yes, my dear Garreth, you not only have a lovely daughter, but a son as well. Twins! They are small, but appear to be healthy. You can imagine our dilemma. Now we need two of everything. Be joyous in your heart, for this is a great day for the Blackthorn family.

Garreth reread the letter to make certain that he had not misunderstood. "A son and a daughter?"

Captain Barkley was smiling widely. "Yes, Your Grace. The Keep is buzzing with activity, and there is much pride in the village for the new little lord and lady. The church bells rang for an hour, announcing their births."

Garreth was stunned by the unexpected event. Then he smiled proudly, wishing he could shout the news to the whole of London—he was a father! A Blackthorn heir and a daughter had been born! He found himself anxious to see them.

Stephen entered the room just as Garreth was giving Captain Barkley instructions to saddle his horse. When Barkley left he spoke to his friend. "I'm going home. You watch for Eugenia here. I must be with Sabine and the babies."

Stephen's eyes widened. "Did you say babies?"

It was clear that Garreth's mind was on other matters. "Yes, Sabine had twins—a boy and a girl."

Stephen slapped him on the back. "This is wonderful! Imagine you a father—and twins, no less." Stephen was grinning. "Your wife can never do anything the ordinary way, can she?"