Chapter 42
Jen Owen was worried. She consulted her cousin, looked through her basket, held Catherine’s hand and worried. The day stretched into afternoon and, still, the contractions that exhausted the countess failed to bring a child. They were too erratic, too weak. She feared the child would die, or that Catherine would take ill with fever. Mrs Owen dosed her as best as she could, but Catherine was weakening and began to drift into unconsciousness.
“Get up, my lady!”
Catherine’s eyes fluttered open. She looked tiredly about the room. “I was at Wansdyke,” she whispered. “Do not wake me.” She closed her eyes once more.
Mrs Owen nodded at Lydia. Together, they lifted Catherine to a semi-stand. Catherine opened her eyes again.
“What are you doing?” she said, her voice edged with irrita
