Page 13 of Never Fall for a Highlander

“She was here for less than an hour and disappeared to get some warm water and ne’er returned.”

Instead of lashing out about the lass, Helena took charge.She tied two sturdy pieces of cloth to the bedposts and after tying a knot at the end of each one, handed those to her sister.“Pull on these when a pain starts and remember to keep breathing.”

“Where are ye going?”Jena growled.

“To the kitchen to get the warm water and more cloths.I need to clean ye up and make ye more comfortable.”

Jena began to cry.“I’m so sorry I shouted at ye.I’m the worse sister ever.I ken ye had other things to see to.”She wiped her nose with the sleeve of her nightgown, and her voice rose.“Ach, I willna be more comfortable until this bairn in my arms instead of my stomach!”

Helena had seen many mothers through birthing, but witnessing her own loving, gentle sister in such pain was tying her in knots.She had to be strong and treat Jena as she would any other mother.

She didn’t see Aline as she made her way down the stairs and past the great hall toward the kitchen.Wherever the lass had gone to, Helena was certain she was hiding from her.Which was a good thing because when she caught up to her, she was likely to pull her hair out of her head.

“Have ye seen Aline today?”Helena asked Maude as she reached up to a shelf and took a large jug down.

“Nay.”She studied Helena for a moment.“Is something amiss?”

“Aye.I was busy sewing up the laird and sent Aline to sit with my sister.She left her after an hour and hasna returned.”She was mortified as the tears gathered in her eyes.What nonsense was this?She had a job to do.

Maude shook her head and tossed some vegetables into the large kettle over the fire.“I kenned the lass was no’ suited to midwifery, but to leave yer sister like that when ye were unable to help her is cruel.Ye ca be certain I will give her a good talking-to next time I see the lass.”

That was certainly less than what Helena had instore for Aline, but right now her main concern was Jena.She filled the jug and took a handful of linen cloths from the shelf underneath the work bench and headed back to Jena’s room.

She groaned when she found Beatrice at Jena’s bedside.

She turned when Helena entered and scowled at her.“How dare ye chase me away and then leave yer poor sister to deliver this bairn on her own?What sort of a midwife are ye?”

“This is no’ what I intended.”Helena dipped one of the cloths into the warm water and began to wipe Jena’s face and arms down.“The laird returned to the brooch with a wound that needed tending before he bled to death.I sent Aline here to watch over Jena, but she’s disappeared.”

“Of course she has.The lass has no stomach for healing.I doona ken why everyone thinks she can do the job.”They both stopped and watched as Jena gripped her stomach and screamed.

“Grab the cloths, Jena.And keep breathing.”

“Ye breathe!”Jena shouted, so unlike her sweet, quiet sister.Once the pain left her, she collapsed back onto he bed.“Nay, ye doona,” Helena said.“Up with ye.”

“What!”Beatrice said.

“If she walks in between pains, it will help her.”

Beatrice shook her head.“Ye are crazy.The lass needs to lay in bed, flat on her back.”

“Nay,” Helana said as she helped Jena out of the bed.“No’ now.Or as far as lying flat on her back, ne’er.If ye want to help, Beatrice, ye can assist me in getting this wet nightgown off her, wipe her down and then put a fresh one on her.”

“She will only dirty it again.”

“No matter.I’m sure she has other nightgowns and if she dosna, I have a few I can lend her.”

Helena noticed her empty stomach right around the time the sun began to set, casting a pale yellow light from the window.Tiny specks of dust motes danced in the light.Jena had been at it for about six hours, but Helena knew from experience that childbirth would most likely take many hours more.

Between her and Beatrice, they got Jena wiped down, a fresh nightgown on her and resting in bed.Her pains were coming about every three minutes and had been since Helena had returned to the room.Each one seemed to last longer.

A slight knock at the door had her and Beatrice turning.“I am sorry, Helena, but the laird is awake, and he wishes to speak with ye for a minute.”

Beatrice looked at her.“Go to the laird.I will watch o’er yer sister.”

Although reluctant to leave Jena in Beatrice’s hands, she could certainly do so for a few minutes.“Just be sure to have her pull on the pieces of cloth I tied to the bedposts when she has a pain.”

“Aye.I doona ken what that is supposed to do, but I will do as ye say.”