She closed her eyes.
“Abigail Ramsey, you open your eyes right now. We’re not done here. You don’t have to answer my question, or even speak to me again, but you will see this through. You cannot give up.”
“Yes, I can.” And with those whispered words, she let her right hand release its hold on the coverlet and fall to the side, lifeless.
“No, Abigail,” he said, dropping to his knees on the wooden floor. His hands came up to frame her face. She was so still. Under his fingers, her skin became chilled. Blinking rapidly to dam up his wave of emotion once more, he could only nod to acknowledge the doctor’s slight cough.
“I believe the babe is still alive, my lord.”
Patrick took his fingers from Abigail’s face as if her skin had burned him rather than had been turning to ice. He gave another terse nod in the doctor’s direction to give him permission to do what he thought necessary, then left the room to go wait in his study and steel himself for the news of yet another loss today.
On his way, he passed Mrs. Jenkins with Celia and Helena in tow. Heedless to his state of disarray and Mrs. Jenkins’ curious stare, he reached his arms out for both girls, and carried them to his study with him.
Squeezing his daughters tightly to him, he sat down on the settee, and for both the first and last time he could remember, held nothing back as silent tears coursed down his cheeks.
***
“Patrick,” Marcus said, jarring him to present.
Patrick removed his hands from the walls, and shoved them into his pockets. “I was just...”
“I know,” Marcus said softly.
Patrick nodded. Marcus probably did know exactly what he’d been thinking about. Ironic how they’d met and become friends the day of Marcus’ accident, a time when Marcus needed someone the most. And a time when Patrick needed someone the most, it had been Marcus who had come to his side. He’d been the one who, though never summoned by Patrick, had arrived at Briar Creek just in time to be the one to tell Patrick that while Abigail hadn’t survived the day, by some miracle Kate had. Patrick swallowed, and clenched his fists, struggling to stay composed.
“If you’d like to go home, you’re welcome to. I’ll see to it Juliet gets back safely.”
“Thank you, Marcus, but no. I’ll wait for her.”
“Are you sure? I know Olivia’s screaming can only be―”
Patrick waved him off, and forced a slim smile to his lips. “I know she’s not dying.”
Marcus blinked. “You do?”
“Yes, she’s the type who no matter what happens, will live through it.” He snorted. “I’d wager she’ll have a graveside seat at all our funerals.”
Marcus grinned. “You’re likely right. Would you like to come sit with me?”
“Very much so. And while we wait, I’ll fill your mind with all the little joys you’ll soon get to experience at the hands of your brat.”
Chuckling, Marcus said, “I look forward to it.”
“We’ll see about that,” Lord Watson added, coming up behind Marcus.
Chapter 24
Juliet had never had so many emotions in such a short span in her entire life. One second she was calm and secure in her role of encouraging Olivia through her delivery, the next she was on the verge of losing her temper with that dratted woman and tempted to throttle her. Of course, from there she felt a crushing wave of exhaustion, and dare she admit: defeat. But then, finally, with one last ear-piercing scream, Olivia delivered her baby, and spouted some sort of unsavory comment nobody was inclined to listen to. All attention was being given where it should be: to the little baby Emma was so tenderly cleaning in the corner.
After Juliet and Caroline murmured their greetings and congratulations, they left Emma’s side to help clean Olivia as much as she’d allow.
“If you’d like, I can send Marcus up,” Caroline offered to Emma after she pulled a clean sheet up to cover Olivia.
“No,” Olivia said sharply, startling Juliet. “I don’t want that fiend near me. Do you know where he intends to send me?”
The room grew silent for what felt like an hour, but couldn’t have been more than two minutes. “You do know why you’re going, don’t you?” Caroline asked.
“Yes, because Marcus is a fiend who delights in seeing people miserable.”
“No, Olivia,” Caroline said. “That description doesn’t describe Marcus in the least. It perfectly fits you, however.”
“I demand you apologize this instant, Caroline,” Olivia hissed.
“No.” Caroline said simply before turning to Emma. “Are you ready to go find Marcus?”