L&A: 20

The May sunshine lay heavily upon the fields as Archie rode to Spencer House, a slight breeze stirring the warm air. He noticed that Lily’s garden was in riotous bloom, full of color and fragrance. She had begun teaching him some basic tasks in the garden, such as weeding and trimming, but he would never learn her innate skill and garden sense. It was totally mysterious to him.

Richard, home for the summer, opened the door upon Archie’s arrival. “Oh, thank God, someone to distract us,” he moaned. “Mother is in such a state.”

Archie chuckled as he placed his hat on the table and removed his riding gloves. “Anxious for the baby to appear?”

“Worse. She’s been having pains all day.”

Archie frowned. “Should I get Neville?”

Richard shook his head. “No. Mother says she knows when labor’s begun, and this isn’t it. But Lily and Rose are worried.”

“Where are they?”

Richard led Archie into the morning room, where a bed had been placed for Lady Spencer during her lying-in. The day after the ball she had taken to this room, where she would wait for the baby to be born, as was her custom. Lily sat beside her mother, stroking her mother’s hand as she slept.

Archie came up to her and kissed her cheek. “Oh, Archie,” she said quietly. He could see fatigue and worry etched on her face. She looked pale. “I’m so glad you’re here.” She stood and Archie embraced her, rubbing his hands along her back to soothe her.

“You look worried,” he said as they sat on the couch. Richard took the seat next to his mother.

She nodded. “I am. She’s been in such pain. But she won’t let us call Neville—she says it’s not labor and she doesn’t want him to worry for nothing.”

“But all of you—“

“She says we’re worrying for nothing.” Her eyes were clouded. “Father is so nervous. He paces in his study all day, snaps at the servants…and Rose is no help, of course.”

“Maybe I should send for Neville. Even over your mother’s objections.”

“Would you? If he were here, she would have to listen. I know she is not well.” Tears were in her eyes.

“I will send for him. But you must rest until he comes. You are tired.”

She did not deny it. “I am. Richard and I have been taking turns staying with her….Rose tries, but she’s just not good at these things. And father…he’s got business to attend to, and he just makes mother worse.”

Archie nodded. His own father had been the same way when Neville was born. “I will send a servant for him. And you will rest for awhile.”

Archie went into the hallway and commissioned a manservant to ride to the Manor to fetch Neville. When he returned, Richard was rubbing his sister’s hands and talking gently to her.

“Archie, can you take her upstairs?” Richard said. “She needs some rest, and some food. I’ll send Martha up with a plate.”

Archie nodded. “I’ll take care of her.”

“I will call you, when Neville wants you,” Richard promised his sister.

“You must. I have to be here…” her voice trailed off and she rubbed her temples.

“Come, Lily.” Archie took her hand firmly and the two of them headed to her room, where she lay upon her bed. Archie covered her with a summer quilt. “Try to sleep.”

“I can’t,” she moaned. “I wish I could. I’m so worried about her. She wasn’t like this with Richard.”

“It will be well,” he said. He took her hand and stroked it. “It will be all right. Neville knows what he’s about.”

“I wish I could be sure…”

“Nothing is sure. But he will do the best he can.” He ran his hands over her hair in an effort to calm her. He kissed her forehead.

Lily eventually fell into a light sleep and Archie sat watch, as he had a month before when he first met her.

* * *

A knock on the door a half-hour later roused Archie from his chair, and he went to the door.

“It’s time.” Richard stood there, his eyes wide. “Neville needs Lily’s help.”

“Lady Spencer is in labor?” Richard nodded.

“I am ready.” The men were surprised to see Lily up, her hands tidying her hair. She brushed past them and scurried down the stairs.

* * *

“What can I do?” Lily burst into the room as Neville was unpacking and sterilizing his instruments. The household maids had been enlisted to help, bringing towels and hot water in an endless parade.

“Come,” Neville said. Lily tied a muslin apron around her, and moved to his side. “I need you to calm your mother. She’s fighting it and she can’t. She needs her energy for later.”

Lily nodded brusquely and took her place beside her mother. Lady Spencer’s face was red and damp with sweat. “Lily,” she said, grasping her daughter’s hand. “Oh, you’re here.”

“Of course I’m here,” Lily said. “Mother, you must relax.”

Her face screwed up in pain and she let out a small shout. “Oh, Lily…”

“It will be all right.” She spied a cloth and some cool water on the table, and began to bathe her mother’s forehead. “You must rest as much as you can.”

“It is….hard….this time,” she panted. “Where is Rose?”

“She’s with Richard,” Lily said soothingly. “They are readying the nursery for the baby. All is well.”

Neville examined Lady Spencer, his brow creased. “Lady Spencer, it will be time to push soon. But I must change the baby’s position. She is still breach.”

“What will you do?” Lily asked.

“I must turn her.” Neville enlisted two of the maids to hold Lady Spencer’s legs. “This will hurt,” he said and Lady Spencer nodded grimly. She gasped as Neville began to shift the child.

Lily gripped her mother’s hand and watched Dr. Craven’s movements. The room was tense, the silence broken only by Lady Spencer’s soft cries.

“Neville?” Lily asked, her voice low. “Is she—“

“I think I almost have her.” Neville’s face was taut with concentration. Time seemed to stop as they watched Neville for any sign of success. “There.” He said, gasping out the word. “She’s turned.”

Lady Spencer sighed and Lily smiled at her mother. “There, it’s almost time now.”

“It is time,” said Neville. “Lady Spencer, you may push on the next pain.”

Emma nodded and squeezed her eyes shut. Lily began to pray silently. Emma’s body tensed as she gave a long, steady push, and Lily bathed her forehead with a damp cloth when she had finished.

“Good,” Neville said soothingly. “She will be coming soon. A few more.”

The minutes passed in agonizing slowness. Lily wished Archie or Richard was here to help her, but she knew that was impossible. Even Rose would’ve been a help; but she was nowhere to be seen.

The pushing continued, Lady Spencer valiantly attempting to bring her youngest child safely into Neville’s hands. Neville’s face was dark and tight with concentration, and Lily’s hand ached under Emma’s vise-like grip.

Finally, “I see the head,” Neville said. His voice was deliberate. “Lady Spencer, it is almost time…”

Emma let out a short, strangled cry and pushed again.

“I can see her!” Lily cried, looking past her mother to Neville. The baby’s head was in his hands.

“Just the shoulders, now…” Neville said. With one final push the baby slipped free of the birth canal and fully into Neville’s arms. “A girl, Lady Spencer,” he said, smiling. His face was damp with sweat and he handed the baby to Martha to be wiped off. “She’s lovely.”

Martha swaddled the baby quickly as the child began to wail. “Excellent,” Martha said as she handed the baby to Emma. “She’s a beauty.”

The baby’s dark eyes stared up at Emma. “Oh, mother,” Lily said softly. She stroked her sister’s tiny hand and marveled over the delicate shape.

“What will you name her?” Neville asked.

“Mary Elizabeth,” Emma said, her voice thin. “For my mother.”

One of the maids jotted the name on a piece of paper Neville had on the cart. “I will submit the birth certificate immediately,” Neville said.

“Doctor, there is food in the kitchen. I am sure you are hungry,” Martha said. Neville nodded.

“I leave Lady Spencer and Mary in your hands,” Neville said to Lily, winking. “I shall return shortly.”