Page 48 of Beneath the Harvest Moon

Gabriel tied the cord with two pieces of string, then cut it, allowing Blythe to take the babe to the washstand while Jane delivered the afterbirth.

The infant wailed, and Jane pushed up from the chair.

“Rest a moment.” He washed his hands, then headed to the bed where Blythe had laid the clean infant. The wriggling mass of deep-pink wrinkled skin squalled, hurling tiny fists above its head while he examined its limbs. “The baby appears to be hearty and in need of food.”

Blythe swaddled the babe’s bottom in a square of cloth, then wrapped it in a wool shawl. She picked up the child and handed it to him before turning her attention to Jane. “Let me settle you into bed.”

He turned away and focused on the blinking eyes of the bundle in his arms.

Liquid sloshed. Drawers opened and closed, and fabric flicked and fluttered.

“I have ruined the carpet.” Jane grumbled. “Your mam will not be pleased.”

Blythe said, “I will pay for a new one.”

Once Blythe had plumped up the pillows behind Jane, Gabriel handed the baby to its mother, who put it to breast.

Blythe perched on the edge of the bed and smiled when the infant suckled. “What name have you chosen?”

“I shall name her after her aunt, whom I hope will see a lot more of her than she did of her siblings.”

Blythe’s smile faltered. “I am honoured.” She stood. “I should fetch John and my parents.”

Blythe scurried from the room, and Jane sent him a pointed glance.

He darted after her, but she had already reached the bottom of the stairs. “Blythe, wait.”

She spun, swiping at both her cheeks. “My apologies, I forgot to thank you for delivering my namesake safely.”

He stopped before her at the foot of the stairs. “Think nothing of it.”

“Please send me the bill for your services.”

Did she really think he wished to discuss payment? “Blythe⁠—”

“Do not suggest any nonsense about doing this for free. It is a wonder you have any income.”

“Blythe!” he said with an exasperated groan. “There are matters we must discuss.”

Blythe kept her gaze on the stone slabs beneath her feet.

“Meet me in the cowshed in an hour.”

Blythe nodded before she headed out to announce the news of her niece’s birth.

CHAPTER 17

Blythe’s nephews surrounded their mother, enraptured by the little bundle in her arms.

Violet clambered onto the bed. “Did you really help, Mama?”

“Of course she did.” Papa beamed with pride. “Your Mam helped deliver Young John when he was born too.”

Heat clawed up her neck. “Doctor Sharpe did most of the work on both occasions.”

At the head of the bed, her brother’s gaze locked on her and lingered. What⁠—

“It seems you managed without me.” Mama murmured next to her at the foot of the bed. “Just like the pair of you did before.”