The Duke’s Broken Heart – Extended Epilogue

Parties were more fun when Charlotte was there. Dinner conversation was more amusing and entertaining. She made every guest feel special by remembering to chat with them about their new horse, a recent trip they took to France or the upcoming nuptials of their niece. All were caught up in her orbit as soon as she walked into a room.

Now that Marielle and Silas lived in the townhouse, Charlotte, Mercy, and Marielle spent much of their time together, shopping, going to teas, and paying afternoon calls to their friends.

In the evening, with husbands in tow, they attended one dinner party after another. Charlotte and Silas enjoyed themselves as much as two social, outgoing people possibly could. Members of the ton always included the Collins on their guest list.

Month after month, Charlotte came and went to social events while Phin worked with Everett. It was perfect. They both had each other and were doing exactly what they wanted. After a year of marriage, both were content with their lives together.

Phin was happy that Charlotte was content. Her dazzling smile and ongoing banter lifted his heart. He looked at her in awe. He was not made of that stuff. Phin fed off her happiness, and gone were the days he wallowed in his loneliness.

“Charlotte, we’re cutting back on our social schedule,” Phin said angrily. “You are exhausted. You’ve been trying to keep up with the pace of every ton event, and it’s beginning to show.”

Charlotte gasped and drew a hand to her cheek. “What are you saying?”

Phin crossed their bedchamber and took Charlotte into his arms, gently placing her cheek on his chest. “I am saying you look tired. We all do. All of us except Silas. His energy feeds off a crowd.

“I’m cutting us back to two events per week. You can—”

Charlotte’s head snapped up to look at Phin. “What? Two events per week? We will be positively bored.”

Phin shook his head and smiled. He loved Charlotte. He had been attracted to her the first time he saw her. He was pulled in by her magnetic force. His Charlotte radiated a love of life and made everyone around her better.

A year ago, Charlotte and Phin had a surprise wedding, given about fifteen minutes notice to place themselves in front of a priest for the ceremony. Phin thought the following year had been just as much of a whirlwind. He and Charlotte couldn’t go on a honeymoon until Everett and Mercy returned from theirs, so they had months to settle into their married life. With Marielle and Silas living in the same townhouse as Phin and Charlotte, Charlotte had a built-in friend at any time day or night. Silas threw them a wedding reception at Collinswood, knowing how much Charlotte liked parties. It was a grand success, and Charlotte and Silas decided to make it a yearly event.

They honeymooned in Europe for two months, extending their stay in Rome, a place Charlotte fell in love with. They visited a different square every day if they could. The weather was warm, but with the awnings over the outdoor cafes, Charlotte could sit with her espresso and watch people for hours. Phin found her limitlessly entertaining.

She knew no Italian, but the natives communicated with her expressive face in a way that caused them to understand one another perfectly.

They went to the Sistine Chapel twice, Charlotte holding onto Phin’s arm while she looked up. They strolled past Trevi Fountain and paused for espresso in a small café across from the Spanish Steps.

Phin put his foot down when Charlotte decided that they were to go to the Galleria Borghese for the fourth time, and Charlotte put her foot down after two visits to the Pantheon.

“Phin, we are not going to look at concrete again. No one goes on their honeymoon to look at concrete.”

“Ah, but you forget, my dear, about the gelato we bought on that little side street near there.”

“Oh, right,” Charlotte said. “Concrete it is.”

Charlotte loved the opera; Phin loved the cuisine. They could have stayed in Rome for months.

They reluctantly returned to London and settled into Phin’s townhouse. It didn’t take long for them to fall back into their old pattern, a pattern that Phin gripped with both hands. He loved low-key routine.

Then Phin’s world began to change. He grew increasingly worried about Charlotte. She fell asleep in the carriage ride home rather than breathlessly repeating all the gossip she heard at a party. She woke late into the day and sometimes dozed in a chair by the fire before the evening meal.

Phin waited at home until Charlotte woke. He ate lunch in their bedchamber, watching her sleep. She was so beautiful, and he was such a lucky man. A lucky, worried man. When she woke, he gave her some time to regain her senses and drink some tea.

“And here I thought you liked my company,” Phin said with a smile.

“You know what I mean,” Charlotte said. “I’m willing to cut back to four nights a week.”

“No, Charlotte. You aren’t even going to get me to three nights a week. We’re sticking to two or nothing at all,” Phin said firmly. He crossed his arms over his chest, and Charlotte knew when she was defeated. Seeing her nod of reluctant acceptance, Phin wanted to soften the blow. “Of course, you can choose which events we attend.”

“Of course,” she said flatly.

Now Phin was even more worried. She acquiesced a little too quickly. That wasn’t like his Charlotte.

He walked to the door and turned. “I’ll be at Everett’s. Is there anything I can do for you?” She shook her head, walked into his open arms, and gave him a tight hug. Phin reciprocated.

“Marielle and I may go shopping and to the tea house.”

Phin kissed her on the forehead, “Sounds lovely.”

***

“Where’s Mercy?” Phin asked Stevens brusquely.

“In the garden, Your Grace,” he said.

“Thank you, Stevens,” Phin said, and then stopped. “Don’t mind me today.”

Phin hurried through the paths of the garden at Everett’s townhouse. The flowers were clipped back and in hibernation for the winter. The garden looked no more than upright sticks in the ground. He rushed to the little greenhouse Mercy kept in the back.

Phin knocked on the door then entered. Mercy turned and looked surprised to see him.

“Everett should be in his study,” Mercy said. “He was preparing for you not ten minutes ago.”

Phin’s eyes were unfocused, and he couldn’t muster any enthusiasm in his voice. “I’m sure I’ll find him when I go searching for him. I’m looking for you.”

Mercy took a good look at him for the first time since he entered the greenhouse. “Phin, what’s wrong? You don’t look right. Is Charlotte well?”

Phin paused, and his shoulders sagged. He looked at Mercy. “I don’t know. She sleeps all the time when we’re not at a ton function. Even when we are at a ton function, she hides yawns behind her fan. Have you seen the circles under her eyes? How can someone who sleeps so much have circles like hers?”

Mercy put her hand on Phin’s arm. “Is she expecting?”

Phin shook his head. “When I talked to Marielle about my concern, she asked Charlotte’s maid about her courses. Charlotte is not with child.”

He looked into Mercy’s eyes. “Do you think I should call a doctor?”

Mercy’s lips turned into a hard line. She shrugged. “I’m not sure. How long have you been concerned?”

Phin began to pace. “When did we see that God-awful play?”

“Thursday, last week. Four days ago. Give it a week, and then bring in the doctor if she’s no better.”

Phin nodded. “I’ll go find Everett,” and shuffled out of the greenhouse.

He and Everett got on so well that they both knew they wouldn’t be in business at all if they weren’t in it together. Neither needed the money, but neither liked the idle life of the upper class. The House of Lords was challenging and rewarding at times but met so infrequently the diversion was brief.

But when Phin met Everett, he was distracted from the business Everett wanted to conduct. Sending Silas to France for their fabric business was a godsend. Silas was working out well. Both Phin and Everett were glad he decided to join them in the business. They knew Silas was happy too.

Everett looked up at Phin. “Why don’t you go home to her? This will all be here tomorrow, and we are not under any deadline.”

Phin nodded and left Everett’s study.

Phin couldn’t possibly leave Charlotte now, but soon he would have to take a trip to the woollen factory. The sheep would be sheared in Scotland and the wool sent to Manchester. The new dyes from India had been delivered to Phin and sent ahead with the missive instructing his foreman to make samples for him to review during his next visit.

Phin looked up at his townhouse as Foster opened the door. As he took Phin’s coat, Foster whispered, “No change, Your Grace.” Phin nodded and headed for the stairs.

Charlotte was curled up on Phin’s side of the bed with his pillow underneath her head. Her hair was a tangled mess on the pillow so her sleep must have been restless. Phin dragged a chair near the head of the bed and sat.

She mumbled and tossed her head from one side to another. Phin rose and touched his hand to her forehead noting it had a sheen of sweat but was not warm to the touch. Increasingly concerned, he called for his family physician.

Mr Rhodes, the Collins’ family physician, came and examined her from the top of her head to the bottom of her toes. Charlotte’s maid watched from the corner. He took out his stethoscope and listened to her back, to her heart, to her stomach, and to her neck. He took out a rubber hammer and hit it on sensitive places on her arms and legs. After checking her body for lumps and bruises, he packed his bag and opened the door. Phin rushed in.

“Her heart is strong, and she has no bruises or lumps on her body, so I don’t think her lethargy is from a fall. Monitor her for two weeks. If a fever does not break out, she should recover on her own.” Mr Rhodes stood tall, bowed, and left.

The next day, when Lady Mercy and Abby were alone in Charlotte’s bedchamber together, Abby whispered, “Lady Mercy, could I talk to you?”

“Of course,” Mercy said, not breaking eye contact with Charlotte’s sleeping form.

Abby went to the door and shut it quietly. “Lady Charlotte may need a midwife.”

“A midwife? No, Abby, I don’t believe that’s necessary, dear.”

Abby shook her head. “Not to deliver a baby, Lady Mercy. To see if she might be pregnant. A midwife can tell if Lady Charlotte’s body is beginning to adjust to a baby. I know she’s had her courses. But she’s ill. Could we check?”

Mercy saw the pleading look in Abby’s eyes and shrugged. “I’ll try anything. My poor brother is a mess. I worry about Charlotte, and I worry about him.”

“Should I go get the midwife to look at her?” Abby asked, crossing her fingers behind her back and holding her breath.

“Yes, I will stay with her. Tell Foster I requested it, and then when you come back, come straight upstairs. Try not to be seen by others.”

Abby nodded and ran from the room and didn’t stop until she reached her aunt’s house seven blocks away. She told her aunt the story while she was doubled over, breathing heavily from the run.

Aunt Alice walked slowly and quietly into Charlotte’s room. She placed her palm on the side of Charlotte’s face and gently spoke to her to wake her up.

When Charlotte was awake, Alice explained whom she was and what she wanted to do. Charlotte protested, saying she had not missed her courses. Alice nodded. It was rare but not unheard of for her to be pregnant in spite of that.

Ten minutes later, Alice announced that Charlotte was pregnant. Mercy squealed and hugged Charlotte while Alice gave Abby instructions on how to treat her mistress. She turned to Mercy and gave her the same instructions.

After counting back to when the problem started, Alice thought Charlotte would feel better within a month.

Mercy thanked her, gave her two coins and asked Abby to show her out.

Charlotte lay flat on her back and looked at the fabric canopy over her bed. She smiled weakly, but at least it was a smile.

“Should I go find Phin?” Mercy asked.

“Yes. But Mercy? Do you think he will be pleased?”

“I don’t doubt it, and neither should you.”

Mercy left the room, and Charlotte cried tears of relief that ran out of the corners of her eyes and down her temples into her ears. She breathed deep, realizing she had been as worried as everyone else. This was the best possible outcome to being so sick.

Abby came in and told Charlotte that Mercy went home. She would send Phin when she got there. Charlotte asked Abby what instructions she had been given.

Abby stammered then talked in unintelligible sentences, and Charlotte rolled her eyes. “What is it, Abby? What instructions were you given?”

“Well,” she said, “she wants you to stay in bed for the next six weeks.”

“What?” Charlotte said loudly. She sat up in bed and thrust pillows at her back. “You must have heard her wrong. She couldn’t have possibly said such a thing.”

Phin walked into the room, kissing Charlotte on the forehead and sitting on the bed next to her. He turned to Abby, “What has your mistress so worked up?”

“Should I tell him or would you like to, Lady Charlotte?”

“Thank you, Abby, I will tell him.”

Abby left the room and closed the door behind her. Phin turned to Charlotte, a wary look in his eyes.

“Phin, I know why I’ve been tired. I hope you are as happy as I am.” She paused, gathered her breath, “We’re having a baby.”

Phin’s face lit up, and he hugged Charlotte a little too hard. “That’s why you haven’t been well? I’ve been so worried about you. I thought you were going to die.” He hugged her again while tears welled up in his eyes and whispered in her ear, “This is fantastic news.” He pulled back from her to look at her face, “Are you going to be all right?”

Charlotte smiled and hugged him again. She closed her eyes, her chin on Phin’s shoulder, “I will be fine.”

She paused then perked up. “We must have a party and tell all our friends the good news. They will be pleased for us.”

Phin thought. He didn’t want to deny her anything, especially since she hadn’t been feeling well. “When Silas gets back, we’ll talk about it with him.”

“When is he due back? I want to do it as soon as possible.” She prayed Phin would agree to a party if it were held soon.

“Charlotte, how far along are you? I think there is plenty of time before your confinement.”

“My confinement! I forgot. Oh no, soon I won’t get to go anywhere or do anything.”

“The price you pay for having a beautiful baby.” Phin grinned. “I hope he looks like you and not me, poor bugger.”

Charlotte shook her head and laughed. “She’s going to give you so much trouble when she is 18. You’ll never think any of her beaus good enough for her.” She laughed.

There was a knock on the door, and when beckoned, Mercy entered. The smile on Charlotte’s face melted. She looked between Charlotte and Phin.

“Mercy, have you heard the good news?”

“Yes, Phin. I was here when the midwife said Charlotte was expecting. The midwife gave me some instructions, instructions I need to pass along. Charlotte have you heard them?”

Charlotte shook her head ‘no’ while her eyes bore into Mercy’s eyes.

“We will do whatever it is recommended for the safety of Charlotte and the baby,” Phin said. He turned to Charlotte, “Won’t we, Charlotte?”

“Yes. Of course.”

Phin brought a chair for Mercy. “Tell us, Mercy.”

Mercy ignored Charlotte’s look. It jumped from furious to pleading and back to furious. “To the best of her knowledge, Alice,” Mercy turned to Phin, “the midwife believes you will deliver in seven and a half months.”

She went on, switching from Phin’s eager look to Charlotte’s frightening one, “You will be able to figure out your months of confinement. Also, the middle three months should be easy. That brings us to now. The first three months.”

Phin was hanging on Mercy’s every word. Charlotte was not. If she told Phin, she might have squeezed out a day here or there to leave the townhouse. Now, she would never be able to leave. And once she was given the clearance to leave, she would be a fat cow. She couldn’t have any fun.

Charlotte looked up, surprised that Mercy had started talking again.

“– extreme fatigue. She recommends bed rest for the next six weeks. She can go up and down the stairs if someone is there to watch her. She can sit in the parlour and have dinner with the family. No visitors. None. No one in the parlour, no one invited to dine with her, no one visiting her in her bedchamber.

Phin nodded and turned to Charlotte. He put his hand over hers. “Easy enough. We will all help you get through this.”

Mercy rose, “I have to get home to Everett.”

She said goodbye to Charlotte and left.

Phin looked at Charlotte and was worried by her expression. “What is it, my love? Sounds like good news to me.”

Charlotte’s chin quivered, and her eyes filled with tears, fighting a battle to keep from crying. A battle she lost. “How am I going to sit here for six weeks with no visitors and no shopping or calls or dinner parties?”

Phin had to suppress a laugh. Six weeks of no social life was an eternity for Charlotte. He knew he’d get the brunt of her unhappiness over it. But he was so happy he didn’t care that his wife’s chin was quivering.

“I’ll get Mercy and Marielle to come and tell you all the society gossip. Your pregnancy will be the centre of attention for the ton. They’ll make sure of it. You’ll get more notes than you can read. I’m so happy you are all right, and I’m thrilled that we will have a new member of the Collins family. Should I send for your aunt?”

Charlotte’s eyes lit up. “Oh, yes, please do.”

***

The midwife had been right. Charlotte had as much energy as she ever had entering her fourth month.

Charlotte, Genevieve, Sir John, and Phin were in the parlour. “Can’t you see the difference?” Charlotte asked Phin, frustrated that she even had to explain it to him. Men!

“I see much improvement, Charlotte. I also see that you are pregnant, and as long as you are pregnant, you are not going to win the record for most ton events attended,” Phin said, using his new ‘You’re not going to win this argument’ voice.

“I’ve got three months. Only three months. My life is over until after the delivery. You cannot possibly want to deny your wonderful wife three short months?”

Phin laughed, which caused a dirty look from Charlotte. “So, when you can’t go out, but your husband is by your side every day, your life is over?”

“You know what I mean, “she said, getting impatient.

“Really, Charlotte. We’ll all be with you,” Genevieve said.

Phin smiled his widest smile, “Wonderful wife, do you want to keep talking about this or can we be done? The outcome will not change, but if it makes you feel better, we can argue for as long as you like.”

Charlotte crossed her arms over her breasts and gave Phin a death stare. “This baby has turned you into mean Phin. I want nice Phin back, and I want him back now.”

Genevieve gasped, “Charlotte.”

Phin laughed again, “I insist your first outing be to your modiste. You need all new clothes for months four through six. Take Marielle.” Phin left the parlour, leaving a jumping, clapping Charlotte behind.

Charlotte started getting out again, squeezing in as many events as possible until her confinement. But as soon as Charlotte’s energy improved, Mercy’s declined. Charlotte noticed some of the signs and knew Mercy was expecting even before Mercy knew. Phin broke the news to Everett, who jumped out of his work chair then sat down, then jumped out of his chair again and paced.

Phin hoped they would both be boys and be close like their fathers were.

Everett nodded. “Another reason to get together frequently. The boys need to develop a friendship from the start.”

Phin opened his eyes wide.

“What is it?”

“Your son is not marrying my daughter. I forbid it.”

Everett rolled his eyes. “And exactly why do you forbid it? My son is a wonderful man. Your daughter would do well to have him.”

Phin blew out a breath between his lips, making a flapping sound. “I can’t imagine your son touching my daughter, kissing her, lusting after her. I won’t have it.”

“You’d rather a stranger lusted after your daughter?”

Mercy walked in and sighed. “Do you two hear yourselves? You’re talking about a non-existent child and his relationship to a child that may or may not be a girl.”

Everett laughed. “Well Mercy, you always complain that you are the last to know. In this case, you really, truly are the last to know.”

Mercy folded her arms over her chest and looked at Everett.

Everett laughed again. He was giddy. “Congratulate me, Mercy. I’m going to be a father.”

***

The middle months of Charlotte’s pregnancy were wonderful. She felt great; she made calls, went to teahouses, and occasionally went to dine with friends. Her wardrobe of empire waist gowns was stylish. The ladies of the ton fawned over her. For Charlotte, being the centre of attention was brought to a new level.

Genevieve sat in the parlour with Charlotte one late afternoon. “Charlotte, I think it’s time for you to entertain your friends from this parlour rather than venturing out. I saw from the window how you had difficulty getting in and out of the carriage.”

In truth, two footmen had to take her by the arms and place her inside in a most unladylike manner. If they could, Genevieve thought one of them would stuff her in by her backside.

“Oh, I’m fine, Aunt. I can only pay calls for a fortnight before my husband insists I stay in the house until the delivery. I’d like to get outdoors as much as possible while I can.”

Genevieve sighed. “Charlotte, are you aware that you look like a cow getting in and out of your carriage?”

Charlotte gasped. “That’s a terrible thing to say.”

“I know, dear. But it’s true.”

“So you think I should save all of London from the show?”

“Yes, dear.”

Mercy walked into the parlour, “What show?”

“Mercy, you look wonderful, dear. You wear your pregnancy well.”

Mercy silently hoped Charlotte didn’t take issue with that comment. “Thank you, Lady Genevieve. I feel wonderful. Now, what show?”

Charlotte was trying vehemently to suppress her petulance. “Aunt Genevieve, my flesh and blood believes I should curtail my visits to only here because she says I look like a cow getting in and out of the carriage.”

Mercy barked out a loud laugh, then clamped down her mouth to suppress it. “So what, Charlotte. You do look, how shall I say this, you do look awkward navigating the carriage, but you only have a few weeks before you cannot go out at all.

“I say go out and don’t worry how you look. You’re six months pregnant. If anyone has earned the right to go out and climb into a carriage ungracefully, it is you.”

***

“Do you remember when you called me mean Phin, and you wanted nice Phin?” he asked Charlotte. “You’re now mean Charlotte, and I want to see nice Charlotte again.”

Charlotte snorted. “Phin, tell me something. Have you ever been eight months pregnant? No? When you have, come back and we will have this discussion.”

Phin drew his head back so it was resting on the top of his favourite parlour chair. He always prided himself on his patience, and even though he had an infinite amount of the stuff, being the husband of eight months pregnant woman was not easy.

“Are you feeling well? If you are still uncomfortable, I’ll send for Abby to get Alice so she can take a look.”

“My only problems are two babies, my husband, and my child. I’ll be in our bedchamber resting.”

Phin closed his eyes and decided he’d rest in the parlour.

The next day, Abby ran down the stairs. She burst into the parlour. “Begging your pardon, Lady Genevieve,” Abby said quickly, “but could you visit Lady Charlotte? I’m going to run and get Alice.”

Genevieve stood immediately, “Is it time?”

Abby nodded, “Excuse me.” She curtsied.

“Of course.”

Abby ran to Foster. “It’s time. I’m going for Alice. Will you send a footman for Your Grace?”

“Of course. Remember Abby, Your Grace wants you to take the carriage. Seven blocks is a long way to run.”

She looked up at him, “In London traffic, it will be faster to run. I’ll be back soon. Tell Cook to boil water and find as many clean towels as possible, and we’ll need extra basins.” Abby was gone.

***

Charlotte’s body rested easily between contractions. How could she feel no pain one minute and excruciating pain the next? Genevieve sat next to her, changing cold cloths on her forehead.

“Are you timing them?”

“Yes, dear. Alice has plenty of time to get here,” Genevieve said.

“Phin will be here any minute, won’t he?”

“He will. He is going to be so happy. He talks of nothing else. He will be a wonderful father.”

Charlotte groaned again. Phin ran in, and Genevieve spoke, “Sit. I need to organize the servants. She needs a glass of water. There’s a lot to do. And no, you can’t do any of it.”

With that, Genevieve was gone.

“Don’t talk to me. Just sit there and hold my hand,” Charlotte said.

Phin was smart enough not to argue with a woman in labour, so he sat quietly listening to Charlotte scream out every five minutes.

Genevieve came back with water, and Phin lifted Charlotte into a sitting position so she could drink it. When she had her fill, she looked at Phin, “Where’s Alice? I’m afraid she won’t come in time.”

“She’ll be here any minute. Your labour’s fast, Charlotte, if you’re worried about Alice. That’s a good thing.

“Why are you still in your clothes?”

Charlotte looked at him as though he asked her how many miles it was to the North Pole. “I don’t know.”

“Lady Genevieve,” Phin called, “Help me get Charlotte out of her clothes.”

Charlotte was horrified, “Phin.”

He smiled indulgently. “I’ve been reading medical journals. I have a general idea of what’s to happen.” He looked her in the eyes, “Trust me.”

She nodded, and he and Genevieve stripped her. Phin ran to his wardrobe and came back with one of his white linen shirts.

“Here, let’s put this on. It will cover you to your knees. And it will be easy to move aside when the time comes.”

Charlotte lifted her arms at his bidding, and he slipped his shirt over her head and down her body.

“Perfect,” Genevieve said.

“Now, Genevieve. Let’s lay out a layer of towels underneath her and under her feet.”

Charlotte screamed again. “They’re getting closer,” Genevieve said.

“I’ll move a table here and put a basin of hot water and towels on it. Get me scissors?”

Genevieve left the room. “What are you doing,” Charlotte said.

“I’m readying for the birth so when Alice comes, everything is done.”

“And you know how to do this?”

“Yes,” Phin said. “I’ve been reading about it for months.”

Charlotte screamed again.

“That one was sooner. Come here,” he said, helping her move sideways on the bed, her legs at the edge. “Do you want a pillow?”

She gave him a small smile and nodded.

“Water?”

“No.” Then she screamed. “Make it stop.”

Genevieve came in with scissors. Phin pointed his eyes at the corner of the room, and they both went there.

In a very low voice, watching Charlotte, Phin said, “Alice isn’t going to make it in time.”

Genevieve gasped.

Phin put his index finger to his lips. She nodded.

“I am going to do this. Over the last few months, I’ve read extensively about the birthing process. I need you to stand next to me and do as I instruct. Can you do that?”

Genevieve looked at Phin and smiled; she nodded. They went back to Charlotte.

“Alice should be here any minute. I’m going to look to see when you’ll be ready so I can tell Alice.”

Charlotte nodded while Phin inspected the progress. He beckoned Genevieve over. The baby’s head was visible.

“I think Alice would like it if you pushed next time you scream. Can you do that?”

Charlotte nodded. Shortly after, she screamed and pushed.

Phin leaned toward Genevieve’s ear. “Have a towel and the scissors ready. You’ll cut the cord and wrap the baby. Then go to the basin and clean him or her.”

Genevieve smiled. She got ready.

Phin looked. Not long now. He wished he could tell her that so she could know the end was near, but he couldn’t. If she knew he was delivering the baby, who knew what kind of reaction she would have?

She screamed, and Phin said, “Push, Charlotte. Hard.”

He looked. The head was out.

“Alice is going to be so proud of you. She is going to be obnoxious telling everyone about how easy a patient you were for her.”

“Phin, where is she?”

“She’s coming. Time goes by slowly when you’re in labour.”

Charlotte screamed.

“Push hard,” Phin urged. “All the way until the end of the scream.”

He took the shoulders out, one by one, and pulled the body the rest of the way.

“It’s a boy,” Phin said with a laugh. He handed the baby to Genevieve, looked at her as if to say ‘all right?’ then turned to Charlotte.

He climbed on the bed and crawled to her. “You gave me a baby boy. Thank you, Charlotte.” Phin kissed her forehead.

“I want to hold him. Where is he?”

“Your aunt is cleaning him. He’ll be in your arms in a minute. Just rest and hold our son. I’ve got a little more work to do.”

Genevieve showed the baby to Phin then wrapped him up and handed him to Charlotte. Charlotte cried.

Phin finished fixing Charlotte and sent for servants to clean up. He called Foster to spread the good news to the household. Foster sent a footman to get Mercy and Everett while Genevieve went and got John.

Phin could hear Genevieve in the background, “Then I cut the cord. I cleaned him for his mother. He’s as beautiful a baby as I’ve ever seen.”

Phin laughed. “Genevieve, you’ve never seen a more beautiful baby?”

She put her hands on her hips, “No, Phin, I never have.”

He laughed again. “We’re moving you and the baby, Charlotte. This room needs to be clean.”

Phin had to pry the baby out of Charlotte’s arms so she could stand up and move to the next door chamber. Once she was in bed next door, Genevieve handed the baby to Phin, who looked down at his son. Genevieve was right, he was the most beautiful baby Phin had ever seen. Phin was jarred out of his reverie by his wife, arms out, looking for her baby. Phin sat on the bed next to her, watching the baby sleep in his mother’s arms.

Everett and Mercy poured into the room.

“Is it true you birthed this baby?” Mercy said, a smile on her face.

“Yes,” Phin answered. “If you want me to birth yours, just let me know.”

“So, it’s a boy,” Everett said. “I hope he looks like his mother,” he joked.

“Me too,” Phin said. “But I especially don’t want him to look like his namesake.”

“Oh?” Everett said.

“His name is Everett.”

THE END

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