“Aye.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I should have done that before. I was so worried about Freya, and when Mrs. MacCabe asked to have you come, too, I was afraid there was something wrong and dinnae think of anything else.”
“It’s fine. This is yer first bairn. By the time ye get to yer fifth, ye will have it all worked out.”
“Fifth?” The poor man looked as if he were about to pass out.
…
After Mr. MacDuff left them, Evan said, “How bad is the lass? I’ve lost horses and sheep when ’twas a breech birth.”
Katie nodded. “I ken. I’ve seen a few, but only lost one mother. Mrs. MacDuff is a wee bit nervous, but I’m going to make sure Mr. MacDuff has a healthy wife and bairn when this is all over.”
Evan had to admire the lass. She was a wee thing, but her determination and caring nature put her head and shoulders above most women, and even some men. Once again, the thought entered his mind that were he ever to change his mind about marriage, he’d want someone exactly like Mistress Katie Stirling.
Or Mistress Katie Stirling herself.
Seven hours had passed since Evan had arrived with Katie. Women had come and gone, and poor young MacDuff was passed out on the stable floor after drinking almost a full bottle of whisky. ’Twas not a bad idea, since the screaming coming from the bedroom of the tiny cottage made Evan want to pull his hair out.
Finally, Mrs. MacCabe stumbled out of the house and rested on a tree stump by the rain barrel. She slumped and ran the heels of her hands over her eyes. Was the old midwife crying? Almost afraid to hear the news, Evan walked slowly up to her. She raised her eyes and his breath hitched. “Is it over?”
She nodded. “Aye.”
“And the babe?”
“A fine strapping lad.” She smiled, the lines of her aged face increasing.
“How is Mrs. MacDuff?”
“Were it not for yer Mistress Katie, we’d be burying the poor lass tomorrow.” She shifted on the stump, and he sat alongside her on the ground, his wrists braced on his knees.
The woman looked off into the darkness. “Mistress Katie would not give up. She worked on massaging Mrs. MacDuff’s stomach, trying to turn the babe. She soothed the mother, rubbing her back. Even with all my years of experience, I never saw someone so determined to have her way.” She grinned down at him. “She was not going to let that woman or her babe die.” She shook her head again. “Aye, yer Mistress Stirling is a remarkable lass.”
Yer Mistress Stirling.
Just then Katie appeared at the doorway, holding a small bundle. The glow on her face would light the Great Hall. “Where is Mr. MacDuff?”
“I’m afraid he’s feeling a bit under the weather.”
Her brows rose to her hairline. “Indeed? And what makes him feel so ill? Or need I ask, since I’m sure he spent his time visiting with the whisky bottle while his wife suffered.”
“Now, lass,” Mrs. MacCabe said. “’Tis frightening to listen to someone ye love suffer and not be able to do anything about it. Remember, ’tis a man’s nature to fix things. This he couldn’t fix, so he turned away from it. Most men do the same thing. Then they swear that is the verra last bairn they will put into their wife. Until the next one.” She chuckled. “’Tis just the way it is, lass.”
Evan climbed to his feet and approached Katie. “Ye look weary. I think it’s time to go home.” Just then two women he didn’t ken but had seen going into the house earlier joined the group outside.
“Ach. ’Tis verra cold out here. Better bring that bairn back inside.” The older of the two women gestured to the babe in Katie’s arms.
“Aye. I thought I would show the lad to his father, but he’s sleeping off his whisky.” She brought the babe back inside and joined him a few minutes later. “I’m ready to go home. ’Tis been a long night.”
He removed his tartan and wrapped it around her shoulders. She shivered and he pulled her close against his side. “Ye did a good job tonight.”
He helped her onto her horse, and they made the trip back to the castle. The sun was just making an appearance on the horizon as they drew up to the stable. They rode the horses inside, and he helped Katie down. MacDuff sauntered over. Obviously the man never slept. “I’ll take care of these; it looks like ye had a long night.”
“Aye.” Evan said, handing the reins to the stable master.
MacDuff looked from Evan to Katie. “How is the MacDuff lass?”
“Fine. The mother of a fine lad.”
MacDuff nodded. “Good.”