“Good.” Charles crouched over the bed beside Horatia, gripping her other hand.
“Lucien, hold her hand. Don’t let go.”
“I won’t.”
Charles used his other hand to brush his knuckles over Horatia’s forehead. “Now, Horatia, push when you can push, and push hard. Time matters now. You’ve been in labor too long, and we don’t want the child to become stuck. It may suffocate.”
“Suffocate?” Horatia and Lucien both hissed in alarm.
“Yes, so you’d better bloody well push!” Charles growled.
Horatia screwed up her face and cried out as she pushed.
Audrey pressed herself against the wall by the door. A knock sounded, and she was thankful for something to do besides watch. She wrenched the door open and found James standing there, towels, a pitcher of water, and a knife in his arms. Audrey gestured
