Chapter 38
Jen Owen was a widow. Her husband had been the apothecary, and had left her a reasonable sum. Thanks to that, the assistance of several sons, and occasional work caring for the sick, she was comfortably off. She did indeed know quite a bit about midwifery, and so she pulled Lydia Barrow aside. “You do realise that you will have to manage the birth when the time comes,” she said gravely.
Lydia was not fearful by nature, but this shocked her.
“Will there be no one to call on?” she asked, in horror.
“You can try getting a message to me. If I hear from you, I will come. But you should not expect any other help. I suspect that men will not allow their women into the castle – even if some of the carpenters are prepared to work on it.”
“But the danger of it! Will there be no one t
