“I’m so proud of you, darling. Papa would be thrilled to have been involved. He loved horses,” Selena said. “He gave me my first pony when I was four years old. Or maybe I was three. In any case, Paul and Kat will love the ponies you purchased for their Christmas presents.
Anna stepped into the kitchen. “My lady. Lady Fleur, Mr. Connery, and the children have arrived. I’ve shown them to their rooms. Since the nursery has been set up for the new baby, I’veplaced Paul and Kat in the room next to the nursery and moved the small twin beds into the room.” Dutch trotted in behind Anna and curled up next to Selena.
“That’s a wonderful idea, Anna. I appreciate your thoughtfulness,” Selena said. “With Christmas a week away, there’s so much to do.”
“You may be welcoming your baby soon, my lady,” her maid said, giving her a knowing grin.
Selena let out a tired chuckle, her swollen belly making any movement a struggle. “It will be both a relief and a joy. Walking is an effort. Well, if you can call this walking. It feels like waddling to me,” Selena remarked with a weary but warm smile. “Can you let me know whenMamanhas settled into her rooms?”
“I will, milady,” Anna said, broadening her grin.
A few minutes later, Mrs. Evans and Mrs. Macdonald bustled into the kitchen and insisted that Selena take a break, something she was relieved to do. Her mother and her mother-in-law had already volunteered to help deliver them. Although Selena would miss traveling to the tenants this year, the jarring ride in the wagon would probably send her into labor and she had no desire to have her labor begin in a wagon. Gerald had promised they could do a mid-year delivery of gifts for the tenants, and she’d be satisfied with that. It would be a nice surprise to do this again in six months.
“Mrs. Evans, do you still need help finishing decorating the Christmas tree? I’m available,” Selena said.
“Oh, yes. I could use as much help as possible,” Mrs. Evans replied. “I’ve placed the string, popcorn, and cranberries in the family room, near the tree.
Since last night’s dream, Selena felt more than a little bit of pressure to finish decorating the house. The night before, she had had a dream in which she delivered her baby. While shecouldn’t recall the sex of the child, she vividly recalled becoming a new mother.
“Happy birthdayma chérie,” hermamansaid, kissing her on the cheek.
“Maman! It’s so lovely to see you,” Selena said. “Thank you for the birthday wishes.”
“Did I hear you ask about decorating the tree? You know how much I love to do that.”
“I did,” Selena said, smoothing her hand over her belly. “I want to make sure everything is completed before the baby is born.”
Her mother’s gaze moved over Selena’s belly. “When did you say your baby is due? It’s possible you may share a birthday.”
“I suppose that’s true. It’s due any time, now,Maman,” Selena said. “And I’m ready for him or her to arrive.”
“Yes. I know exactly what you mean,” her mother said, taking a seat next to Selena and picking up a string. While Selena and her mother threaded the popcorn and cranberries for the tree, Selena tried to relax, but a nagging pain in her back had started. Worried, she scanned the room for Gerald and saw Dutch trot into the room and move next to her, behaving as though he were simply trying to find a comfortable spot to lie down, but Selena knew him better than that. Dutch was as sneaky as he was brave and loyal. “I know what you’re doing there, Dutchy, sniffing at those bowls when you think we’re not watching,” Selena said. “What about all those treats Mrs. McDonald baked for you?”
Dutch tilted his head and gave her a little whoof.
“Don’t look all innocent with me,” she giggled. “I’m keeping my eyes on you Dutch.” The big white dog huffed out a breath and retreated a few feet to the safer location just in front of the cheery fire in the large hearth.
After an hour, she and her mother had strung several strands of garland. Selena reached into the popcorn bowl and noticed it was empty. Laughing, she realized Dutch had indeed managed to sneak into the popcorn while they were decorating the tree. But her laughter slowed as the persistent pain in her lower back became sharper.
“Maman, I think this baby might be coming,” she whispered in between short breaths. Increasing pain made speaking difficult.
“Ma chérie, let me help you stand. I think we can make it to your room,” her mother said.
“No,Maman.I’m too heavy with child. You must send for Gerald.” Selena tried to get up but lost her balance and fell back into the chair.
In that instant, Gerald entered the room carrying a newly filled bowl of popcorn. “I thought you ladies might need more popcorn. It always disappears quickly, we eat as much as we string…” His eyes fell upon Selena, who winced in evident pain. “My God, Selena, what’s wrong? Is it the baby?” He dropped the bowl of popcorn and rushed to her side, kneeling before her.
All Selena could do was nod as another sharp pain took hold.
“Gerald, thank goodness, I was just going to find you,” Selena’s mother said.
“When did the pain start?”
“Only a few minutes ago,” his mother-in-law said.
He yanked the rope for a footman. “Send for Doctor Baker, and hurry,” he ordered the footman who walked into the room only seconds later. Gerald scooped up Selena in his arms and climbed the stairs to their bedroom.
“Gerald, please don’t leave me alone,” she said as he gently laid her on the bed. “They may tell you that you cannot stay, but you must,” Selena rasped. “Promise me. I’m so worriedsomething will go wrong.” The only person that made her feel safe was Gerald.
