Brianna could not decide where she should sit. They were so fine, she was concerned to put even her slight weight upon them.
"Thank you." Ashley, however, didn't appear to have any trouble selecting a seat, as she perched herself on a chair.
"Would you care for some tea?" Madam Hershal asked.
"That sounds wonderful," Ashley replied, most likely not wanting to offend the strange woman.
Brianna watched as Madam Hershal glided from the room. Her movements were so graceful, Brianna felt awkward in her presence. She sat quickly, not wishing to further display her gracelessness. As they waited for Madam Hershal to return, the delay became too much for Brianna. Would her questions be answered? Did she really want them to be? Her chest began to tighten, and her palms grew sweaty.
Madam Hershal returned shortly after with the cart and began serving the tea. Brianna nonchalantly wiped her palms on her dress to ensure she would not drop the delicate cup.
Gripping the cup tightly with her unsteady hands, she took both the fine cup and saucer from the woman and, using all her concentration, directed it to the table beside her. Once settled, she let out the breath she held before turning to the two women who were eyeing her strangely. Although Ashley looked worried, Madam Hershal wore an amused expression.
"Now, how can I help you two ladies?" Madam Hershal lifted her own cup of tea and sat down to face them.
"Since you have practiced as a midwife, we would like to ask you some questions," Ashley informed her.
"I'll be happy to supply you with answers to the best of my ability, but I don't pretend to know everything."
"That is all we can ask." Ashley calmly took a sip of her tea. "First, we would like to know what the symptoms are when someone is with child."
"There are many, and sometimes none at all," Madam Hershal answered cryptically.
"Is there nothing more specific you can tell us?" Brianna asked, not wanting their trip to be wasted.
The golden eyes were suddenly upon her, and Brianna fell speechless from the intensity she saw within them. Madam Hershal's narrowed gaze drifted to settle upon Brianna's midsection before turning back to her face. The fervency she saw before was gone, replaced by an amused twisting of her lips.
"Is there something more specific you would like to ask me?"
Brianna tried hard not to squirm. Madam Hershal acted as if she knew all of her secrets.
"I wish to know if I'm with child. I have experienced some unusual symptoms, and I don't have any other explanation for my illness." If Madam Hershal were unable or unwilling to help, Brianna would prefer to spend the remainder of her stolen morning finding someone else who could assist them.
"That was not so hard, was it? I have always found direct speaking provides you with the answers you are looking for," Madam Hershal told them. "The answer to your question is simple. Yes, you are with child."
Brianna's eyebrows rose, and she glanced over to see Ashley's gaping mouth. This visit was becoming stranger by each passing minute.
"How can you be so certain? I have not noticed a physical change in my appearance. As we have never met, it would be impossible for you to detect a slight physical transformation, had there been one," Brianna explained, disbelief clouding her voice.
"I can see it since I know what I'm looking for. In my profession a midwife does not become as accomplished as I without having a particular understanding of women in your condition."
"I must say, I'm thoroughly impressed." Ashley stared at Madam Hershal as if she held all the knowledge of the world.
"Thank you, Ashley." Madam Hershal inclined her head, then slid her eyes back to Brianna. "I see you are not as trusting as your friend. Although that increases difficulty for those around you, I would say a little distrust is a good characteristic to have. Now, come here so I may assess you."
"What does that entail?" Brianna shifted uncomfortably, wishing they could simply leave.
"I will not harm you or your child. I only wish for a better look."
Never being a coward, Brianna stood and took the steps that put her directly in front of Madam Hershal. With a closer view, Brianna noted the woman was not as young as she'd originally thought. Though Madam Hershal still radiated beauty, Brianna could only imagine her magnificence in her prime. At this proximity, Brianna felt as though she was seeing a different person than the one who'd greeted them at the door. The reasoning behind the allegations of witchcraft were becoming clear.
"What do you see?" Brianna wondered if Madam Hershal's penetrating gaze could see through her skin to verify there was an unborn baby within her.
"I would say you are into your second month," Madam Hershal declared.
Panic squeezed Brianna's chest. That was the verification she needed, for the dates matched up. The doubt she'd clung to suddenly disappeared, leaving her with nothing left to hold herself up. Her legs became weak, and the room spun.
"Brianna?" Ashley exclaimed. "Are you all right?"
"Help her to the chaise."
Brianna felt hands on her, pulling and pushing until she no longer needed to hold her body up. Something cold and wet touched on her face, breaking her from her trance. She blinked and focused on the worried faces above her.
"I'm truly sorry." Brianna didn't recognize the rough voice passing through her lips. "I normally have better control over my emotions."
Madam Hershal laughed, a sound so pure, Brianna had to fight back tears. "Don't concern yourself over that, my dear. Your control will return sometime after the babe is born."
"This is normal?" Brianna gasped.
"Yes, it's completely normal. Drink some tea. It will help you feel better," Madam Hershal instructed.
After her high emotional state, Brianna's sickness returned, and she knew she could not touch the beverage for fear it would not stay down. On the other hand, she didn't want to offend the woman who had been so kind. Eyeing the teacup, she decided refusing the tea was not worth the risk.
"I apologize, but I don't believe I would be able to keep anything down at the moment."
"I'm not surprised you have already begun experiencing morning sickness." Madam Hershal nodded.
"Unfortunately it has not been limited to the morning." Brianna closed her eyes against the wave of nausea, grateful for the cool towel on her face, for it helped control the urge to retch.
The sounds of rustling and movement distracted her, but she didn't care enough to lift her head and discover what it was. A short time later, a shadow passed over her face, forcing her to open her eyes. Madam Hershal stood over her.
"Drink this," the woman insisted, pushing another teacup into Brianna's hands. "It will help."
Brianna pulled herself into a sitting position, then eyed the cup. The clear liquid inside appeared to be water, but there was a shaving of something brown floating on the surface. She opened her mouth to complain, but one look at Madam Hershal's expectant face had her placing the cup to her lips.
Immediately her body began to reject the vile taste, but Madam's intense golden eyes urged her to swallow it down and take another sip. The second gulp was slightly less horrible.
"Good girl, finish the cup, then you shall see." Madam Hershal chuckled lightly.
While forcing herself to consume more, Brianna wondered where Ashley was. It didn't seem the action of a friend to sit back and watch as her companion was tortured by a witch. Brianna twisted her body around to search the room and found Ashley sitting in the same place, sipping her tea and smiling encouragingly at her. Shaking her head, Brianna turned her attention back to the cup.
Once she'd suffered through the drink, Madam Hershal straightened, took the cup, and disappeared into the other room. Not only did her body accept the abominable liquid, but she really felt better. The torture now seemed worth the results.
"Better?" Madam Hershal inquired as she entered the room, holding a piece of white linen.
"Much better, thank you. May I ask what the drink consisted of?"
"It's a mixture of water and this." Madam Hershal handed Brianna the linen.
Reverently taking the material, she folded the edge back to uncover what appeared to be some type of root, which explained the brown debris she saw in the cup.
"What is this?" Brianna asked.
"An old family remedy. Every time you begin to feel signs of discomfort, shave a piece off and place it in some water. I know it does not have the most pleasant taste, and the longer it soaks, the more prominent the flavor becomes, but you will grow accustomed to it. Keep in mind it's more effective the longer it spends in the water. You will have the option of consuming a small amount of the strong beverage or a large amount of the weaker one."
"Thank you." Brianna committed the instructions to memory.