Page 15 of Never Fall for a Highlander

“I left a small bit of herbs in the cup by the window.Just take that downstairs and have Maude put hot water into it and give it to the laird.Try to get him to drink some ale, also, but no’ too much.”

Unfortunately, Jena was on her back on the bed when she returned.Instead of arguing with Beatrice, Helena helped her sister up.“Come on now, Sister, on yer feet and walk.”

“’Tis no’ the best idea, lass.The bairn just might drop out onto the floor.”

Had she no’ been so tired and hungry, Helena might have laughed at that statement, but instead she frowned.“Beatrice, when have ye e’er been to a birth where ‘twas so easy, the bairn fell out.”

The woman huffed.“Ne’er, because the mother took my advice and stayed in bed.”

A soft knock on the door caught their attention.“Come,” Helena said.This was truly the busiest birthing she’d ever attended.

A young maid entered carrying a tray.“Lord Finn asked that I bring ye some supper.”’

“Thank ye so much,” Helena said.The tray had a trencher overflowing with bread, cheese, fish, and vegetables.A jug of ale, along with two mugs sat alongside the feast.

“Also, Blair asked that I tell ye that he has returned from the lists, is going to clean up and then join ye here.”

“Thank ye.”

“We canno’ allow the husband in here!”Beatrice said.“Men doona belong in a birthing room.‘Tis bad luck.”

Helena swallowed a piece of bread.“In this we agree.But this is their first bairn.He needs to learn he won’t like it here.”

Jena screeched once again.She leaned on the bedpost.“I think mayhaps I should get back into bed.”

Helena nodded, food still in her mouth.She’d been starving and this all tasted so fine.

Bearice helped her back into the bed.Jena rolled to her side and seemed to drift off to sleep but was awakened with another wail.

“Grab the cloths, Jena, and pull hard.And breathe!”Helena said, putting the trencher aside.

Just then Blair entered the room.He took one look at Jena.“Is she well?”He asked Helena, his face white as new milk.

“Nay.I’m no’ well.‘Tis yer fault, ye lusty bastard!”

Blair’s eyes opened to twice their size.He looked at Helena.“What is wrong with her?”

Helena laughed softly.“She’s having a bairn.She’s in pain.She is apparently no’ happy to see ye.”

Jena reached her hands out and began to cry.“Nay, Blair, doona leave me.”

He looked cautiously at Helena and slowly walked to the bedside, almost as if he expected to be attacked.He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and patted her back, looking as though he wished he were anywhere except where he stood.After only a couple of minutes, she shoved her husband so hard he had to struggle to keep from landing on his arse.

“I will ne’er let ye touch me again, Blair.”She pulled hard on the cloths, gritting her teeth.

“Breathe Jena,” Helen yelled.

“Bluidy hell!She screeched.

Blair headed to the door.“Let me ken when it’s over.”

Chapter seven

Helena handed the clean, snugly wrapped bairn to his da.Jena was fast asleep, after being cleaned up, a hot cup of tea, and admiring the lad.Blair studied his little one with tears in his eyes.“He’s so small, so helpless.”

He tore his eyes away from his bairn and looked at Helena as she kissed Jena on the forehead.

Blair looked at Helena and asked in a low voice, “Think ye that Jena meant it when she said she would ne’er let me in her bed again?”