The Magic of I Do (Faerie 2)

“Claire,” he warned. He got to his feet and approached her. But she didn’t let him touch her. He didn’t let her get away, however, and pulled her into him. “Don’t fret.”

A sob shook her frame.

“Claire, what is it?”

“I need a physician. Now.”

“All right,” he said.

***

Something was wrong. Claire was frantic. She sobbed against his chest, her tears wetting the front of his shirt as her body heaved with sobs.

“I’ll call for the physician. Do you want me to call anyone else?”

“My mother,” she said. “I need my mother.”

“All right,” he said, and he ran from the room to get a servant. He would send for the physician and send for her mother, and then he would find out what the devil was wrong with her. She was frantic for a reason. He just didn’t know what it was.

Twenty-Seven

Claire was tucked beneath the counterpane on Finn’s bed when her mother arrived. She’d managed to stop the frantic sobbing. And she didn’t appreciate the whimpers her crying had left behind. Finn stood across the room and looked down at her. He’d donned a clean shirt and tucked it into his breeches, but he didn’t come any closer. Every time he tried, Claire cried even more. Finally, the door opened and her mother stepped through. Her auburn hair hung loose around her shoulders, and she wore a day dress that was buttoned wrong.

“Claire,” she said as she walked into the room.

But Claire felt a sob rise within her again. Her mother quickly searched the room until she found Finn. “Could you give us a moment?” her mother asked.

“I want to know what’s wrong.”

“So do I, but I have a feeling she’ll be more likely to tell me if you leave the room.”

“I’m going to marry her. I’m not going anywhere. Talk of menses and natural functions will not frighten me.”

Finn went and sat in a chair in the corner as Claire’s mother approached the bed. She sat down and pulled Claire into her arms. “What’s wrong, Claire?” she asked.

There was blood on the towel by the bed. “Did he hurt you?” Claire’s mother asked.

“I’m bleeding,” Claire sobbed.

Her mother struggled not to laugh. “Honey, that’s what happens when it’s the first time. It’s all right.”

“It’s not all right,” Claire wailed. Then she leaned forward and whispered to her mother. “This wasn’t my firs

t time. My first time was several months ago, and I’m with child.”

Her mother’s mouth fell open, and remorse didn’t begin to describe what Claire felt.

“Did you call for the physician?” her mother barked at Finn.

“Yes, he’s on the way,” Finn replied. He sat forward in the chair and placed his elbows on his knees. “What’s wrong?”

Claire’s mother tucked her in more tightly behind the counterpane. She crooned to her as she stroked the side of her face. “Everything will be fine. You’ll see.”

The physician came in and shooed everyone from the room, including her mother. Claire squirmed under his gentle probing as he listened, manipulated, probed, and prodded her. He finally looked up, pulled the counterpane back up, and tucked it beneath her arms. “Everything will be fine, I think.”

“It will?” Claire whispered, hope swelling within her.

“I believe so. These things are rather common at this stage.”