Healing the Captain's Heart_A Clean Regency Romance by Penny Fairbanks

Author:Penny Fairbanks [Fairbanks, Penny]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-12-04T05:00:00+00:00

A few hours into labor and Violet found herself wiping away at her own sweat with the sleeve of her dress. Her other hand wiped away the sweat dripping into Lady Neil’s eyes with a handkerchief.

Despite the freezing temperatures outside, the flames in the fireplace and the sheer tension in the room kept Violet from feeling even remotely cold.

Mrs. Baird’s voice rang continually through the room, encouraging Lady Neil through each contraction and telling Violet what to do next. Her voice was steady, a welcome calm amongst the anxiety in the room. But Violet could see past the sharp focus in her eyes to the worry within.

The baroness’s labor had gone well so far, but all three women knew that the tides could change at any moment.

Numerous nightmare scenarios whirled through Violet’s head constantly and she could see the same happening to Mrs. Baird.

Sharp footsteps against wood and the heavy front door opening and closing and urgent voices coming from downstairs caused Mrs. Baird and Violet to look up at each other in surprise. Lady Neil rested in between contractions elsewise they likely would not have heard the commotion.

Even the baroness was curious about the sounds. She propped herself up on her elbows and said through shallow breaths, “What could possibly be going on at this hour downstairs?”

Violet quickly hid her small smile. That was her mistress. Always worrying about the goings on in her household, even when it was the last thing she should be worrying about.

“Violet, go on and see what all the fuss is about. If you need to, alert Mr. Taylor and have him see to whatever it is,” Mrs. Baird instructed.

She nodded quickly and set aside the handkerchief next to the bowl of water on the bedside table. This time Violet did not hide her smile when she heard Lardy Neil offer a quiet “thank you, Violet” as she left the room.

But as soon as Violet closed the door behind her, her sense of urgency and curiosity returned. She rushed downstairs as quickly as she could without tripping and nearly skidded to a halt when she entered the foyer.

Captain Jessup stood just inside the door, brushing a layer of snow off his shoulders.

Next to him was Dr. Slaterly.

Mr. Taylor, still in his robe and nightcap, commanded two groggy footmen to take their coats.

“Good Heaven!” Violet cried out. “What on Earth possessed you to go out in the freezing cold and snow?”

She marched up to the captain, half wild with relief and half cross at the risk he had taken.

Captain Jessup only laughed at Violet’s harshly spoken question. “If I see someone in need, I do everything in my power to help. Besides, it wasn’t terribly dangerous. I’m an excellent carriage driver and I took extra care on the roads. The trip took longer but we travelled as safely as can be expected.”

Violet was stunned into silence. All she could do was stare into the captain’s warm, sweet eyes. He took a step closer and she noticed the tiny snowflakes caught in his eyelashes and melting on his lips.

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