When a Child Is Born by Virginia Brown

Author:Virginia Brown
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BelleBooks Inc.
Published: 2015-11-13T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Two

THE SUNLIGHT would be more pleasant, Annabelle decided as the carriage set off the next morning, were it not so blinding. With Joseph asleep in Rosa’s lap, the glare through the window forced her to pull the curtain. Too late, she realized, it had awakened the baby. He began to fuss steadily, his discomfort turning at last to pitiful crying.

Despite Rosa’s efforts to comfort him, he cried continually until his wails were almost deafening to all but Edmund, maddeningly, who slept throughout the ride on the seat across from them. The sight made Rosa chuckle.

“Capitán is tired,” she said sympathetically. “No sleep last night.”

As Rosa sang tenderly to Joseph, Annabelle was content to listen. Edmund had been impressive, she mused, speaking fluent Spanish with the English private. She gave a self-conscious start. Had he spoken Spanish during the exchange to spare her details of the massacre?

If so, he had been unexpectedly considerate.

Rosa continued to sing softly until Joseph nodded off, giving Annabelle hope that he might sleep at last. The quiet lasted mere seconds before it resumed in earnest, with extra vigor this time. She was startled when Rosa lifted the infant, extending her arms toward Annabelle.

“You hold?” she ventured with a shy smile.

Surprised by the gesture, Annabelle seized the opportunity to cuddle the child despite his insistent cry. She held her breath as Rosa laid Joseph carefully in her arms. His small form filled them perfectly. Accustomed to holding her sisters’ children, Annabelle relished the chance to hold one who would not immediately cry for his mother. She eased back in her seat as Joseph settled into her arms, his cries ceasing as he stared up at her, his blue eyes holding her gaze.

“Ah, he like,” Rosa exclaimed, her grin broadening.

Annabelle returned her smile. While he did not close his eyes, she watched the child’s lids grow heavy until he could no longer fight the weariness that finally overtook him. His slumber, along with Edmund’s, allowed the two women to enjoy the remainder of the ride in peace.

Edmund awoke only moments before the coach entered the drive at Lavendam Manor. Adjusting to his surroundings, he observed the baby in Annabelle’s arms.

“Joseph appears content,” he muttered. “Let us hope he remains that way.”

Annabelle stared at him. Had the war caused him to forget the happiness a baby brought?

“The house will be filled with children,” she reminded him shortly. “I am certain my cousin, as well as our nieces and nephews, will welcome him as one of their own.”

Rosa shifted in her seat, preparing for the third time to take Joseph back into her lap but without success. He fussed loudly at each attempt to remove him from Annabelle’s arms.

“You hold?” Rosa asked anxiously.

“I will,” Annabelle agreed serenely, delighted that Joseph found comfort with her.

Their calm was shattered minutes later when the great oaken doors of Lavendam Manor were thrown open and her cousin emerged. Letitia Hadleigh’s smile was as wide as her open arms. At once, Letitia caught her breath, her face transformed with delight at the infant in Annabelle’s arms.

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