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Euan walked with her. When each contraction hit, his body was the brace she needed to not move and to rock back and forth. She could feel her stomach clench, and the baby moved downward as the night continued. Ophelia rested when she could, but most of the time, it was more comfortable on her feet. Euan’s warm hands on her back, kneading the tense muscles, helped.
But at points even that wasn’t enough, and the pain made Ophelia bite her lip to keep from crying out. She welcomed this pain, because coming to the doorway and seeing fire struck a terror deep within her. Her first thought wasn’t about herself, but the baby nestled in her womb. How could she protect him from the evil of a man who despised her and Euan because they didn’t cower to his pride?
In between the pain, Euan let her know that he would be in jail for a very long time—him and the man he hired to burn down their home. She worried if Mrs. Hansel would be able to survive it all. The last time she saw her outside the carriage, the exhaustion of her soul was evident. Ophelia hoped that she would find a new life without her husband around. Another contraction tightened her stomach. She wrapped her arms around Euan’s neck, and he rubbed her hips and back
“It will ease soon, love.” His voice was a low, soothing timbre. “Think about the wildflowers and the sun, the wind on your face when the warm weather comes.”
He tried to take her mind off the pain with stories of his childhood in the Emerald Hills of Scotland and riding his horse outside castle walls. He promised to take her there, so they could explore the highlands with their child in his arms.
“In my day, the men stayed outside while the women helped the mother labor.” Mrs. Stewart came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands.
“It’s been proven that having the father there for the birth forms a closer bond between parents and child,” Marie commented.
“All his things, his beautiful crib, are at the manor house. We can’t get anything,” Ophelia said worriedly.
“When the sun comes up, we’ll have it all sorted out,” Euan comforted her. “The shops will have everything we need.”
Selma spoke up. “I saw a lovely bassinet in that women’s store, and they have clothes for both mothers and children.”
“I can make a trip to Quebec,” Marie offered. “You give me a list, and we can gather everything.”
“This will be our home until the manor is fixed and safe for you and the baby,” Euan said gently. “You can make me hot chocolate with that orange spice again.”
“I’ll be much too busy taking care of our son,” Ophelia teased.
“Daughter.” He answered her smile with his own.
“Another one,” she moaned and started to rock. Soon that wasn’t enough. “I need to walk. I have to move.”
“What are you feeling, Ophelia?” Marie asked.
“Pressure.” That was the only way she could describe the pain and what was going on between her legs.
“I need to check you,” Marie said.
“Let’s wait until this is over, please,” Ophelia begged.
“It’s best to check in the midst of the labor pains,” Marie said apologetically. “I’m all for mothers laboring in the way they see fit. We’ll wait until the next one, but I need you to lie down.”
“I don’t want to,” Ophelia moaned. “I can’t get comfortable.”
“You’re in a good position for the bucket,” Mrs. Stewart said. “My people may have had it right all along.”
“I’ll lie down,” Ophelia said instantly. She would be damned if she would be squatting over anything to have this baby.
When the contraction eased to the point when she could walk, Euan helped her to the bedroom and got her settled on the bed. She lay with her legs bent, and Marie covered her with a thin sheet.
“Selma, can you bring me an extra blanket, folded thick please,” Marie called. “Her water hasn’t broken, and I don’t want to soak her bed when she does.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Selma answered.
“I like her,” Marie told Euan. “She has a knack for the sciences. I may ask her to apprentice for me when she is able.”
“I’m sure she would love that,” Ophelia said. “She doesn’t want to be a house girl forever. She’s smart and can be a successful woman... Oh God, they hurt more when I’m lying down.”
Selma brought the blanket, and they managed to get it under her hips. Marie asked her to relax her legs and part them at the knees, wide. She wondered how a woman was supposed to do that in the midst of such pain. Ophelia tried, but she couldn’t help the cry that left her lips when she felt Marie checking her genitals. There was even more pressure, and then a warm gush of fluid.
“Ah, that’s why; your water just broke and...” Marie stopped talking. “Oh, honey, you are ready to push, the head is right there.”
“Really, can I see?” Euan asked excitedly.
“No!” both she and Marie said simultaneously.
“Brace yourself against her back, and when she pushes, help her lift up off the pillows,” Marie ordered. “Your head stays up there.”
“Seems a bit unfair,” Euan said but did as he was told.
Marie called both Selma and Mrs. Stewart to help her bring her legs up with each contraction.
“We are ready. Next wave of pain, you push downward,” Marie ordered.
Ophelia nodded and suddenly felt afraid. What if this wasn’t meant for her? How could she know if she would be a good mother? The pain came stronger than ever, and she cried out in agony. She did as Marie commanded, “Chin to your chest, lift upward, and push.”
Ophelia did it each time a contraction hit, and her stomach tightened, trying to expel the baby. At one point, it seemed like one big wave and sweat combined with the tears on her cheek. This went on for an hour, and Ophelia felt exhausted. The burning sensation came, and then, a sense of release when she felt something slip from her core.
“The head is out!” Marie’s words were mixed with laughter. “Look at all that hair. Last big push, Ophelia, let’s see if we have a boy or a girl.”
On the last contraction a loud keening cry escaped her lips, and then, nothing. She was suddenly empty and there was silence. Ophelia held her breath, and Euan held her hand tight. The seconds ticked by, and the first soft whimper came to her ears, followed by a loud angry wail. She laughed and cried as she listened to the sounds that were better than any symphony she had ever heard.
“Laird and Lady Campbell, you have a daughter.” Emotions clogged Marie’s throat.
Mrs. Stewart openly cried. “What a bonnie little lass.”
Marie cut the cord, and soon their bundle of joy was nestled in a blanket. Euan took his daughter. Ophelia watched as he held her as if she was the greatest of treasures he ever had. No matter how many children they had after this. The awe on his face at the birth of his first child would be etched in her memory for a lifetime.
“Look at you, my little Miss.” Euan’s voice was husky. “You are so perfect, my precious daughter.”
“Let me hold her,” Ophelia begged and held out her arms.
She was exhausted, but she would not be complete until she cradled her child. Euan placed the baby in her arms, and she looked down at the small, scrunched-up face and soft, brown curls. She looked up at Euan, who stared down at them with such love it left her breathless.
“Look what we did, Euan. We created her,” she whispered.
“Aye, and like her mother, she is exquisite.” He bent and kissed her. “Thank you, love.”
Mrs. Stewart took the baby, and with Selma beside her, they went to clean her up and swaddle her. Marie worked to help her expel the afterbirth. Between her and Selma, who was called back into the bedroom, they got her cleaned up, on fresh sheets and under warm blankets. The unity of women supporting and caring for her after the birth of their child humbled her. Euan held the baby while she ate a light meal and tea made with barley and a dash of stout to help her milk to come in—or so Mrs. Stewart said. Marie didn’t disagree, so Ophelia drank the brew that tasted better than she expected.
“Mom and baby are healthy, and this old doctor is heading to bed for a few hours rest,” Marie announced.
“You can’t leave until we know what she will be named,” Mrs. Stewart announced and looked at them with folded arms. “Well then, what shall we be calling her?”
Ophelia smiled and looked at Euan. “Ask Da. He was to choose if he got his girl.”
Euan looked down at his daughter. “Her name is Lady Ainsley Michelle Campbell, born to the clan Campbell, the lands of Argyll and the granddaughter of the Duke of Argyll.”
“That is a mouthful.” Marie grinned. “It suits her perfectly. She is a little princess.”
Mrs. Stewart sniffed. “After your ma. The lass truly is a princess. Mr. Stewart will be pleased.”
It was much later when Marie, Selma, and Mrs. Stewart left, they lay in the bed, and the baby was nestled between them. They would be back later, but for that moment in time, it was just the new family in a warm cocoon. Euan was shirtless, and he touched Ainsley’s tiny hands almost reverently.
Ophelia smiled. “Do you love her?”
“I adore her.” Euan’s grin was boyish and happy. “I adore her mother as well.”
The baby made a small noise, and Euan pulled her against his bare skin. She instantly quieted.
“I can see that she will be her Da’s girl, and I will not have a say in anything at all.” Ophelia laughed. “At least let her learn to walk before you put her on the back of a horse or take her to the docks.”
“She can go after she finishes her school lessons.” Euan looked at the tiny hand wrapped around his large finger. “My girl will be smart as a whip, a fine beauty like her mother, and no man will deserve her.”
“Da will chase them away,” Ophelia said huskily and yawned.
“Sleep, love, I’ll watch over you both,” Euan said and lifted her hand to kiss her fingertips.
Ophelia fell asleep almost instantly, and later, the baby’s small noises woke her. She looked over, and her heart almost melted at the sight of her husband asleep with dark, thick curls lying untidily on his forehead. His large arm was around the precious bundle of their daughter, protecting her even in sleep.
* * * *
The cottage was soon filled with all they needed while the manor was under repair. Everyone in the community of Kamouraska tried to help in their own way, bringing food or baby blankets, even offering to help with repairs. Hansel was sent to prison in Quebec, and Mrs. Hansel was left to run the business. Euan told her she had quite a head for numbers, and because of this, he offered the same deal he made to other businessmen in the town. Because of her husband’s action, she took only half, vowing to build the partnership in trust, then she would take the rest. She was unlike her husband in every possible way and now instead of being pampered at home, Bettina had been sent away to school.
They were able to return to Lachlan manor in about eight weeks. At that time, any person entering through the heavy door wouldn’t know there had been a fire. Euan was able to replace the family tapestry on the wall, and now Ainsley slept in her nursery. Everyone was smitten by the baby girl. Mr. Stewart’s face softened any time he took her, and she cooed. Mrs. Stewart would sneak into the nursery to sing to her, and Euan came home more often than not so he could hold her.
Her first smiles had started, and she noticed that if she cried, someone would come running. Ophelia was convinced she was spoiled, already. When she kicked those chubby legs or figured out how to get her hand in her mouth, Euan praised the baby and lifted her high over his head.
She was finally allowed to take the band from around her stomach. Marie insisted it would help her body return to normal and her womb to retract to its normal size. It was early evening after dinner, and Ophelia sat in the rocking chair breastfeeding the baby who looked up at her with light brown eyes. Euan stood at the doorway with his head and shoulder leaned against the entrance, watching them with a smile.
“Her curls are becoming even lighter,” he commented.
“And she is getting heavier with all the milk she consumes,” Ophelia added. “I think we can start weaning her at six months when she is taking solid foods.”
“I like watching you feed her,” Euan said with disappointment in his voice.
“You like seeing my breasts,” she teased.
He grinned. “That is also true, love.”
“Have you eaten supper?” Ophelia asked.
“Aye, I sat with William in the kitchen,” he answered. “I came to rock her to sleep.”
“Of course you did.” She shook her head with a smile. “Make sure to get a good big burp and straight to bed when her eyes close.”
“Aye, your ma is being strict again.” He lifted the baby, and she gave a toothless smile.
Ophelia walked to the door and looked back at Euan, who bounced his daughter in his arms. He talked to Ainsley, and she grabbed his finger, making him laugh, and she cooed as if she was a part of some deep conversation.
“Oh, Euan, one more thing,” Ophelia said from the door.
“Yes, mo ghoal?” Euan questioned.
“I was examined by Marie today, and she said I can begin other activities again.” She gave him a sultry smile. “That is... if you want...”
She saw the dark look of desire on his face before he answered. “I want very much.”
“I’ll see you after my bath and when she is asleep, Laird,” Ophelia said as she left the room.
All her life she thought she needed excitement, adventure, a new place and sights to feel complete. The Laird Campbell took residence in Lachlan Manor and nothing was ever the same again. The biggest adventures were yet to come—building a family, a home, and love with the man who rode the midnight black horse past her cottage and took her heart with him.
The End