Within two months of getting married, Madelina began losing her breakfast . . . and lunch . . . and supper. She found it difficult to keep anything in her stomach at all. She knew she was expecting, but never had she seen morning sickness quite as bad as hers was, and she couldn’t begin to understand why it was called morning sickness when she was sick every minute of the day and night.

After a full week of keeping nothing in her stomach, she began to worry that perhaps there was more involved with her illness than just expecting. She was using all the herbs her mother had suggested for a weak stomach during pregnancy, but none of them were working. Could she be expecting and have something else wrong with her?

She talked to Alex one night while they lay abed after Letice was asleep for the night. “I fear we will have to send for my mother. I cannot stop losing my meals. It’s not good for the babe or for me. If we don’t send for her soon, I might not be well enough to get to the point where I can contact my aunt.”

He looked at her in alarm. “Are you that worried? Or do you just want to see your mother?”

At his question, she burst into tears. “How could you even ask me that? You see me not able to keep anything down. My face is white, and I feel like I’m going to vomit every minute of every day? And you think I’m only doing this to see my mother?” Did he not know her at all? She hated being sick!

He pulled her into his arms, running his hand over her back. “I’m sorry. We’ll go there tomorrow and send for her.”

Once Madelina started crying, she couldn’t seem to stop. “I’m sorry. I can’t stop the tears!”

He pulled the covers over their heads to shield them from the rain falling from the ceiling. “That’s all right.” His hand kept moving over her back, and when she fell asleep, the rain stopped. The covers on the bed were soaked, so he went to another room to get something to cover them with, shaking his head. It had been bad when she snowed while embarrassed. If she cried during her entire pregnancy, they would have a very wet home.

* * *

They left Letice with one of the servants the next morning, and Alex pulled Madelina onto his horse to ride in front of him. He was afraid to let her ride on her own in her weakened condition, but he wasn’t sure he would be able to contact her aunt without her help.

She rested back against him, feeling frail in his arms. It was then he realized that she wasn’t just trying to get her mother there. She was very ill. He rode carefully, the ride taking well over an hour, but he didn’t want to jostle her anymore than absolutely necessary.

When they got to the point where she could contact her aunt, she bade him to stop. “Auntie?”

“Madelina? Are you all right? You sound weak.”

“Send Mother to me. Please. I’m expecting, but nothing will stay in my stomach. I fear I’m going to lose the babe, and I might not make it myself. I’m using the correct herbs, but they aren’t helping.”

“Wait there, and let me tell your parents what’s happening.”

Madelina sighed, resting back against Alex. “She’s talking to Mother. I need you to make sure you can connect with her. If I can’t come with you, you may need to come on your own and contact her yourself.”

His arms hugged her to him. He realized then that she was very worried about her condition. “Are you worried you’ll lose the baby?” he asked.

She nodded. “The baby and I may not survive. I’ve never seen anyone quite this ill while expecting. The herbs we give expectant mothers aren’t helping at all. There is something wrong.”

His fear began then. She hadn’t felt the need to go to her mother when he’d been wounded because she’d known she could heal him. Now she was sending for her mother. That meant something. “You’re going to be all right.”

“I hope so.” She closed her eyes, trying to preserve her strength.

“Madelina? Your mother told me to let you know she’s on her way. She and your father will leave by horseback immediately. She thinks they can make the journey in two days if they ride hard,” her aunt Christiana told her.

“All right, Aunt Christiana. It was nice to hear from you.”

“Hold on ’til your mother gets there. Do you hear me?”

“I’ll be fine, Auntie. Alex is with me. Would you reach out to him? I want to be sure he can contact you if necessary.” Madelina nestled against Alex, hoping he would take a minute talking to her aunt so she could just rest.

“It is very odd having someone speak to me in my mind,” Alex said a minute later.

“She was able to find you then?”

“Yes. She said that if I concentrate on her face very hard from this spot, she will be able to hear me.” He worried that he wouldn’t be able to do it, but he would definitely try.

“Usually only she can start a conversation that way. But because I have had so many discussions with her in my mind over the years, I can do it. I hope the same goes for you.” She closed her eyes, ready to sleep as they headed back to the castle. She had no energy for anything else.

When they got back to the castle, he realized she was asleep and handed her down to his brother Philip, who had come for a visit. “Hold her until I’m down, please.”

“Is she all right?” Philip asked, staring into the pale face of a woman he’d never seen before.

“She’s ill. She’s expecting, and she can’t keep anything in her stomach.” Alex swung down from the horse, handing the reins to his stable lad before taking his wife from his brother.

“And you chose this moment to take her for a ride? You’ve never been the brightest of the seven of us, but I didn’t think you were stupid.”

Alex sighed. “We rode out to where she could contact her aunt. Her mother is on her way. She’s a skilled healer.”

“Father told me she could heal with a touch. Is that true?” Philip asked.

Alex strode toward the castle, determined not to stand in the castle yard having a discussion while holding his sleeping wife in his arms. “I saw her heal a child who was on the verge of death.”

He went to the sitting room and sat down, carefully arranging Madelina on the window seat beside him. He had his arm around her to hold her in place. “Mayhap I should take her upstairs to sleep.”

Madelina blinked, looking around her. Her last memory was of being on a horse and talking to her aunt. She saw a stranger in front of her and frowned. “Who’re you?”

The man laughed. “I’m your husband’s brother. Philip.”

“Where did you come from?” she asked, very confused. She looked at Alex. “Weren’t we just on a horse?” It was bad enough that she was weak and tired. When he moved her while she slept, it was unbearable.

Alex smiled. “We were on a horse. Your mother in on her way. My brother was here when we got back.”

“I see.” She didn’t, but that was only because her mind didn’t seem to want to focus on anything. “I’m going to make myself an herbal tea. Mayhap that will help.” She’d tried it everyday since she’d begun to feel sick, but she would try it again. Something had to work for her, and she couldn’t just sit around waiting for her mother to arrive. She tried to get up, only to be stopped by Alex.

“I’ll have one of the servants fetch it for you. Wait here.”

“I need specific medicines from my bag to go into the boiling water.”

“Then I will bring you your bag, and someone will bring you boiling water for you to add it. You will not get up.” Alex got to his feet and hurried from the room.

“My brother cares about you a great deal,” Philip said softly.

Madelina wasn’t so certain. “I think he just likes knowing that the first of our seven is on the way.”

Philip shook his head. “No, that’s not it at all. I saw the concern on his face when he was watching you. That wasn’t for the babe. That was for you.”

“I certainly hope you’re right because the healer in me tells me we’re in for a very difficult year.” Madelina had a hard time believing she was going to have a difficult pregnancy. With all the births she’d helped, it would seem she should have an easier time of it. She didn’t know why it seemed that way, but it did!

“You’re a healer? I thought your mother was the healer.”

“My mother has the gift of the healing touch, but she has taught me the use of herbs to make salves and healing medicines. I learned much from her.”

“I see. You don’t have the healing touch then? What is your power?” he asked, obviously fascinated by her family.

She smiled. “My power is a bit strange. I control the weather. Often when my emotions get away from me, it will rain or snow indoors.”

“Really?” He’d never heard of such a thing. “Can you show me?”

Now that it was September, she wasn’t perpetually hot, so she didn’t want to have it snow on them. “How about a warm breeze?” she asked, closing her eyes and allowing the wind to sweep through the room.

“I like this!”

“When I’m embarrassed, it snows inside. When I’m ashamed, it hails. If I’m sad, it will rain indoors. Living with me means you need to be prepared for any weather at any given time.” Madelina rubbed her hands over her face. “And now you need to prepare for me to be ill at any given time.”

“I actually came to see you because I was told your mother had the power to heal. I was hoping she would be willing to see to my son.” Philip seemed hesitant to ask, but she could understand the need. If her child was ill, she’d move heaven and earth to get help for him.

Madelina gratefully accepted her bag of medicine and a tankard of hot water from Alex. She found the right powders in her small pouches and added two different powders to the water. “What is wrong with your son?”

“He was born with a leg that doesn’t work properly. He drags it everywhere.”

“Mama will be here in two days. If you can bring him here, I’m sure she’ll be happy to see if she can help him.” She knew that her mother could help the boy, but she wouldn’t promise her mother would use her gift for another. It was not her place. She’d never seen her mother refuse to heal someone, even if that person was bad, but she still wouldn’t promise.

“That would please my wife and me a great deal.” Philip sighed. “When he was born injured, many said we should let him die, but I couldn’t see doing that.”

Madelina frowned. “No, of course you couldn’t. How old is he?”

“He’s ten, and he hates being different. I’m afraid he is starting to be very unhappy. He worries that he’ll never be able to fight.”

“At ten, that should be the last of his worries,” she said with a smile. “I’m sure something can be done. Please bring your wife with you when you bring him. I’d love to meet her. How far from here do you live?”

“’Tis a two-hour journey on horseback. I will certainly bring her.”

With Alex back beside her, she smiled at him. “Why did you not tell me of your nephew’s affliction? Mother would be happy to help.”

Alex shrugged. “Sometimes I think some are born with afflictions because they have need of learning a lesson that can only be taught by their difference from others. I wasn’t sure if your mother should be brought in for that reason.”

Madelina studied him for a moment, understanding his meaning. “I’m sure if there is a lesson to be learned, your nephew has long since learned it.” She peered into her medicine, touching a finger to it to see if it was cool enough to drink. It wasn’t, so she set it down again.

Philip got to his feet. “I will go and get my wife and son and bring them to you two days hence.”

Madelina nodded. “Mother and Father should be here by then.”

“Father?” Alex groaned. “You didn’t tell me your father was coming.”

“Did you expect Mother to travel across England on her own when you won’t even allow me to go an hour away by myself?”

“I guess I was hoping someone else would bring her. Your uncle Roland or mayhap your uncle Hugh.”

Philip smiled down at Madelina. “It was a pleasure meeting you, sister. I look forward to seeing you in two days.”

“We will welcome you,” Madelina said softly as she watched him leave. Once he was gone, she looked at Alex. “Which number brother is Philip?”

“He’s the eldest, and his son Joseph is the one with the affliction. His oldest as well. All of his other children are girls, and his only son walks with a limp. I’m sure it’s difficult for him.”

“I hope Mother can help. I have seen her work miracles with many different types of things. She has been known to regrow a hand that was cut off.” Men tended to cherish sons over daughters, so she understood his brother’s sadness over the problem.

Alex shook his head. “The powers your family possesses are amazing.”

“They are. I have a feeling they will continue to get weaker through generations, now that the need for them is over, but perchance I’m wrong. ’Twould be nice to see some of my granddaughters have powers as well.” She reached for the tankard and started slowly sipping her tonic. She prayed that it would work this time, and she would be able to eat and nourish her son.

Twenty minutes later, Alex was carrying her up the stairs. “Mayhap the medicine will help tomorrow.”

She nodded, exhausted. If she couldn’t eat, she couldn’t be expected to help her baby grow.

* * *

When Madelina woke hours later, Letice was sitting at the side of her bed. She was holding a doll that she had found somewhere, but Madelina had no idea where. She presumed Alex’s mother had kept dolls in the house for her other grandchildren.

“Is that your baby?” Madelina asked.

Letice nodded. “She was in my tummy, like my brother is in your tummy.”

Madelina smiled at that. “Did you know my mama will be here soon?”

“She made me not sick.”

“Yes, she did. I’m glad you remember her.” Madelina hadn’t been sure if Letice would be able to remember her parents at all. She was very young, and they had been gone for two months now.

“She’s nice.”

Madelina rolled to her side carefully, hoping it wouldn’t upset her stomach again. She had precious little inside her, and she couldn’t afford to lose any more. “Did you have your supper?” she asked, unsure of what time of day it was. In her weakened state, she slept more than she was awake.

“No. Papa says we’ll eat when you wake up.”

“Well, I seem to be awake.”

Letice nodded. “Are you going to be better soon?”

“That’s why my mama is coming. She’s going to try to help me feel better.” Madelina just needed to hold out until her mother arrived.

“Oh!” Letice seemed excited by that idea. “I know she can!” She obviously wanted her mama back, and Madelina understood perfectly.

“Well, let’s see if I can get out of bed, and we’ll go down to supper with Papa.”

“Wait!” Letice jumped to her feet. “I get Papa!” She ran from the room, and though she wasn’t certain why, Madelina waited where she was.

A moment later, she was back with Alex. “I told her to come get me when you were ready to go below stairs. I don’t think you should waste what little energy you have on the stairs.” He scooped her off the bed, much to Letice’s obvious delight. “And I don’t trust you not to fall!”

“You can’t carry me everywhere for the next seven months,” she protested.

“Hopefully your mother will be able to help. How long do you think they’ll stay?” he asked.

“You’re worried about how long my father will be in your house, and the most honest answer I can give is, ‘I don’t know.’ Mama will stay as long as she needs to for me to feel better. I don’t think they’ll stay until the babe is born, but they might.”

He groaned softly. “Your father will blame me for your illness.” He dreaded coming face to face with her father again.

She laughed. “You did have something to do with me becoming this sick.”

“Yes, but I didn’t know you’d be this ill.” He deposited her in a chair in the great hall and sat beside her. “Cook made you a broth she is certain your stomach won’t object to.”

“I certainly hope Cook is right. It would be nice for my mother to arrive and for us to be able to tell her I was better.” She seriously doubted the power of Cook’s broth, though. Her mother’s herbs hadn’t worked, and if they didn’t work, nothing would.

“That would be my greatest wish—and not just because I don’t want your father to be here.”

She smiled at him, truly understanding his problem with her father. “Mayhap you’ll find something in common this time other than a mutual love for jousting.”

“Make certain you have your scarf ready. It may come to that quickly.”

Ten minutes later, they knew the broth Cook had worked so hard on hadn’t worked for her, and she was back in her bed. “I pray your parents come on winged horses,” he said softly. He wasn’t sure she’d live much longer without them. He’d never seen someone become so ill from carrying a baby.

* * *

It was late the next evening when there was a pounding on the front door. When Alex rushed to open the door, he stood face to face with his wife’s father, who still had a look of anger on his face. How could a man stay angry for two months? Would he ever come to grips with Alex being his new son?

“Come in. Where is your wife?”

Marina stepped around her husband with a frown. “He bade me to stay behind him in case this wasn’t the right place.” She looked around quickly, taking everything in. “Where is she?”

“Upstairs. We weren’t expecting you until tomorrow.” Even as he said the words, he said a silent prayer of thanksgiving. They were in time!

“We left immediately, taking no time to prepare,” Charles said. “Our daughter is ill.”

“She’s very ill.” Alex led them up the stairs and to the first room at the top. “She is sleeping, but feel free to wake her. She will be thrilled to see you both.” He opened the door.

Marina put her hand on his arm, stopping him from waking her. “I can start healing her in her sleep, and it will be better for her.” She walked over and sat on the side of the bed, her hand hovering over her daughter’s stomach. “She is definitely expecting, and your son seems to be growing well. He is not ill. He’s taking the nutrients from her, though.” She looked back at Alex. “Christiana said she’d been using the herbs we give to expectant mothers?”

“Yes, and they’ve not helped a bit from what I’ve seen. Cook made a special broth last night, and she couldn’t even keep that down.”

Marina nodded. “I’ve seen this before. Mayhap you can show Charles to the room we’ll have for the next few months.”

“Months?” Alex gulped. He didn’t want her parents there for months, but if it meant Madelina’s life, he would gladly allow it. He just hoped he’d heard her wrong.

“I’m afraid we will need to stay until the babe is born. I hope this is her only pregnancy that is this bad.” With those words, she closed her eyes and put her hands over her daughter’s stomach, concentrating as hard as she could.

Alex quietly left the room, taking Charles to the bedchamber he’d used as a child, as far from his room with Madelina as possible. It was bad enough that the man was going to have to be a guest in his house for so long; he didn’t want to have to have a room next to him. “Will this room work for you and Marina?” he asked.

Charles nodded. “Yes, this will be fine. How long has Madelina been this ill?”

Alex saw a true concern for his daughter on Charles’s face, and he realized that the man truly loved his daughter. “More than a week. At first, we thought she’d be all right, but it just won’t stop. She takes all the potions that she knows will help, and she drinks the broth made for her. But she is still not getting better.”

“Is it possible she is sick as well as carrying the babe?”

Alex shrugged. “I don’t know. She and your wife are healers. Surely one of them would have mentioned that if it were the case.”

“True.” Charles clapped Alex on the back. “Whatever it is, I’m sure Marina can help her. We’ll be staying here for a long time, but at least our daughter will be well.”

“Yes, that’s what we really care about.” Alex studied the man who had seemed to hate him. “Are you hungry? I can have Cook make something.”

Charles nodded. “Marina wasn’t letting me stop for regular meals. We made the trip much faster than we probably should have.”

“All right. I’ll go have something made for you, and they can bring a tray up for Marina.” Alex paused on his way out the door. “Thank you for coming to help her. I was afraid she wouldn’t make it.”

“Now that Marina’s here, she’ll be fine.”

Alex descended the stairs, feeling that a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders. His wife would be fine now that her mother was there. There was no doubt in his mind.