Chapter
32

Edward stood in the foyer of Hartford Hall, awaiting the appearance of Lady Hartford and his son. His bags had been stowed in the boot of the carriage. Now all that remained was to say good-bye.

Why was he so reluctant to take his leave? He’d already stayed far longer than he’d ever anticipated. Yet somehow he couldn’t seem to tear himself away from Iris’s intoxicating presence. Being around her, the void in his life disappeared. He felt young again, vital, a man worthy of her respect and admiration.

The clip of nails on the tile floor alerted him to the dog’s arrival. Iris came into view, leading Daisy on a leash, apparently ready for their usual morning stroll. A wave of regret moved through him that he would no longer be here to share that pleasant ritual with her.

“There you are, Edward.” Her lovely face was wreathed with unusual lines of worry. “Have you looked at the weather? My groundskeeper told Carstairs that a severe snowstorm is expected. Perhaps you should put off your departure for another day.”

Warmth tumbled through his chest that she cared so much about his welfare. Or perhaps she merely wanted a reason for him to stay longer. “It’s only a few flurries right now,” he said. “I’ll be fine. I have complete confidence in my driver.”

She patted Daisy’s head in an almost unconscious manner. “I suppose you could always stop at Derby if the roads become impassible. Stay at the inn overnight until the worst of it passes.”

“My dear Iris. I have been traveling the roads in this area for years and have fared just fine. I’m not worried.”

Her anxious eyes told him that she wasn’t convinced. “You must think me overly fretful. I’m not normally one to fuss so. It’s just that I had a strange dream last night that’s left me out of sorts this morning.”

For some unfathomable reason, he almost bent down to kiss her, to distract her from her troubling thoughts. But with the butler lingering in the shadows, and Nolan likely to appear at any moment, he held himself in check. “I’ll be back in time for the birth of my grandchild. I look forward to seeing you again then.”

A lovely blush stole into her cheeks. “And I you as well.”

A moment of awkwardness descended. How would he take his leave? With a handshake? Too formal. A hug? Not his style. A kiss on the cheek would have to do.

The swirl of her lavender scent surrounded him as he brushed her silky cheek with his lips. He lingered, perhaps a moment too long, for he heard her sharp intake of breath.

She pulled back an inch, her mouth close to his. “Edward,” she whispered.

His pulse thundered in his ears, and his breath went shallow. If he didn’t take a chance now, when would he have another opportunity? He moved toward her lips, hovering there for an instant—

The pounding of feet on the stairs brought reality crashing back. He jerked upright and took a step back.

Nolan rushed toward them, a look of panic on his face. “Send for the midwife. Hannah has gone into labor.”

Pain like a hot knife ripped through Hannah’s abdomen. She tried to inhale, but the air clogged in her lungs. How long had this misery been going on? It felt like days, not just hours.

When at last she was able to draw a breath, it did nothing to lessen her misery. Something had to be wrong. Giving birth should not be this horrific.

Someone wiped her face with a wet cloth. She writhed, trying to ease the tightness across her abdomen, but no matter how she turned, the pressure would not lessen. Another wave of pain began, mounting in intensity until Hannah could not bear it. Sweat poured from every pore in her body, her chemise clinging to her damp skin. The pain eased up only long enough for her to grab one or two normal breaths, before the fire took hold again.

Dear God, help me. Please.

With the burning pain so all-consuming, she couldn’t even form a proper prayer. On the periphery of her consciousness, she heard voices arguing, rising and falling. Where was Nolan? Shouldn’t her husband be with her at this dire time?

“Let the midwife do her job, Nolan.” Her aunt’s voice seemed to come from a distance.

Sounds of a scuffle followed, then the slam of a door.

Hannah had no time to wonder what was happening. Another contraction started, and a blister of pain seared through her. She opened her mouth to scream, to call for help, but a surge of blackness swept her away.

The opening of a door snapped Edward to attention. He pushed away from the corridor wall where he, Nolan, and Iris had been keeping vigil. Molly had grown impatient and had gone to her room to study. Just as well since she didn’t need to hear her sister’s screams.

The midwife emerged from the room, wiping her hands on a towel, her face grim. “The babe should have come by now. You’d best send for the doctor.”

Edward’s insides clenched. Surely God wouldn’t punish him for his selfish ways by taking Hannah’s life and his grandchild with her?

Nolan shot a worried glance at Iris. “Will your doctor travel in this weather?”

“I don’t know. The roads may not be passable.”

Edward stiffened, his resolve firming. He’d do whatever necessary to get the man here, even if it meant trudging on foot through miles of snow. “We have to try. I won’t sit around and allow my grandchild to die.” He strode to the staircase. “My carriage is still here. I’ll go for the doctor. Just give my man the directions to his house.”

Iris followed him. “I’ll go with you. Dr. Greenley will be more likely to come if I’m there.”

Edward looked down into her anxious face and weighed his options. “I’m sure if you send a note—”

“I’ll only worry if I’m not with you. Besides, it will make me feel useful instead of just pacing the floors.”

Though he was loath to risk her safety, arguing with the stubborn woman would prove futile, as well as a waste of valuable time. “Very well, let’s be off.” He turned back to meet his son’s tortured gaze. “Hannah needs you to be strong now, Nolan. Go and tell her everything will be all right. We’ll be back with the doctor as soon as we can.”

Within minutes, they had donned their outerwear and ventured outside to the waiting carriage. The chill of the winter wind sliced through Edward’s greatcoat. He shuddered and pulled up the collar with gloved fingers. Inside the carriage, warm bricks at their feet would serve to keep away the cold, for part of the journey at least.

He scanned the sky, frowning at the darkening clouds in the distance, and prayed that the weather wouldn’t worsen so they could reach their destination without undue trouble.

Edward helped Iris into the carriage. Propriety dictated that he sit across from her, but as he moved to take a seat, she patted the bench beside her.

“Edward, you must sit here so we can share the warmth of the blanket.”

Nerves swirled in Edward’s stomach. Much too intimate for his liking. After the moment earlier when he’d almost succumbed to the temptation to kiss her, Edward wasn’t sure he trusted himself. “I’ll be fine over here.”

She shrugged one shoulder under her fur-trimmed pelisse. “Suit yourself.”

The first leg of the journey passed with agonizing slowness. Too chilled to relax, Edward rubbed his hands on his legs to keep the circulation going. The warmth from the brick at his feet did little to help. The panes of glass in the carriage had frosted over, making it impossible to see outside. He reached over to scratch a hole in the ice with his thumbnail, affording him a tiny opening. A vortex of white surrounded them. It appeared they were traveling into the heart of the storm.

Though not usually a praying man, he sent a plea heavenward to grant them safe passage.

Iris leaned forward. “Edward, your lips are blue. I insist you move over here and share this blanket.”

Despite his near-frozen state, he gave a fierce shake of his head.

“You can come here, or I will go there. Your choice.” She began to move the covers aside.

He exhaled loudly, creating a blast of steam in the enclosure. “You are the most stubborn woman I have ever encountered.” Begrudgingly, he unfolded his cold-stiffened limbs and crossed the carriage to take a seat beside her. When she wrapped the blankets about him, her lavender scent mixed with the lingering warmth from the covers to envelop him.

Her hands gripped his under the blankets, and she swiftly stripped off his gloves.

With surprisingly warm hands, she began to knead his fingers, urging the blood to flow again. Her haughty gray eyes flicked to his face as she worked. “Is it so distasteful to sit near me that you would rather suffer such discomfort?”

He huffed. “It’s not distasteful. Just the opposite in fact. I find it too . . . distracting.”

Iris continued her massage, a slow smile tipping her lips. She arched a brow at him. “You find me distracting?”

Edward scowled. “I believe that is what I said.” Could the woman not take a compliment and remain silent?

Still smiling, she slid a hand to his wrist. A pleasant warmth worked its way up his arm and invaded his chilled torso. When at last she stopped, she kept her hand resting in his, and he made no move to disengage his fingers.

“For the record, Edward,” she said softly, “I find you distracting as well.”

She looked up at him, and the air seized in his lungs. Eyes locked on hers, he lowered his face toward her—

The carriage lurched to a sudden halt, tilting at a precarious angle that sent Iris slamming into him. He steadied her, then moved the blanket aside.

“Wait here,” he said. “I’ll go and see what the trouble is.”

He pushed out the door and landed shin-deep in a snowdrift. The driver had jumped down and was at the horses’ heads, trying to pull them back onto the road. If he could even tell where the road was.

Edward motioned to his man to help him push the back of the carriage. With their combined efforts, they finally managed to get the vehicle back onto level ground.

The driver blew on his hands. “Shouldn’t be much farther, my lord. Get back inside and stay warm.” Tiny icicles had formed on the man’s eyebrows.

Edward frowned. He pulled off his overcoat and handed it to him. “Here, take this.”

“No, sir. I couldn’t.”

Edward draped the cloak over the driver’s shoulders. “I have a blanket inside. I’ll be fine.” He opened the carriage door and pulled himself up, relieved to find that Iris appeared no worse for their ordeal.

“Goodness, where is your coat?” She sidled toward him on the bench, tucking the blanket around him.

Edward shivered. “The driver needed it more than I.”

“That was most thoughtful of you.” Her lips curved in a smile. “If you’re not careful, Edward, you’ll lose your reputation as an ogre.”

As the carriage jerked into motion, Iris lifted a corner of the blanket and began to wipe the moisture from his face. She dabbed at his forehead and cheeks, then reached up to brush the snowflakes from the hair on his brow.

His breathing grew shallow at her nearness. He brought his hand over hers to still her fingers, and when her eyes met his, all coherent thought left his brain. He dipped his head to capture her lips with his. The warmth of her mouth melted the coldness of his, shooting heat straight through his system. His heart bucked like a runaway stallion. She lifted a warm palm to his cheek, and he pulled her closer, intensifying the kiss.

This is what he’d missed, what he’d craved since the loss of his beloved Mary so long ago. He’d forgotten what it was like to be so in tune with another human being.

Forgotten what it was like to be loved, and to love in return.

When Iris drew back a few seconds later, her eyes danced. “What a perfectly delightful way to get warm.”

“Indeed. I believe I could use a little more thawing out.”

And he drew her closer to kiss her once again.