Page 146 of The Bachelor Spy
He really was no help at all.
The pain nearly wilted her to the floor, but Frederick caught her, gathering her up into his arms as if she weighed nothing. She wrapped her arms around his neck and looked up at him, slightly breathless. “Frederick, Aunt Lavinia was supposed to be here for the baby. She promised she’d come help, but she’s away with her daughter for Christmas until next week. And Mrs. Powell has never attended a birth, and Dr. Ross is all the way in Ednesbury during a snowstorm—” She shook her head frantically. “This isn’t convenient at all.”
He took quick steps toward the stairs, his strong arms holding her securely. “Darling, I think this is the beginning of a great many inconveniences.”
“That’s not very encouraging,” she managed to say between pains.
“But”—his smile was sweeter still as he navigated the first step—”I also think it’s going to be the most wonderful inconvenience we’ve ever experienced.”
Another pain seized her, and Grace buried her face in Frederick’s shoulder. “I’m not ready,” she whispered, a wave of fear stealing her breath. “What if I do it wrong?”
“Grace.” Frederick paused on the landing, his arms tightening around her. She looked up to find him gazing down at her with such love, such certainty, that her panic quieted for just a moment. “You’ve solved mysteries across three countries. You’ve survived sand traps and collapsing tunnels and being held at gunpoint more times than I care to count. You are the bravest, most capable woman I know.”
“But those were mysteries I couldsolve,” she protested. “With clues and logic and—”
“And this,” he continued, his voice warm and gentle as he continued the climb up the steps, “is simply the next great adventure for us. One we’ve been praying for.”
She stared up at him, another pain building, and realized he was absolutely right.
They had been hoping and praying and waiting in glorious expectation for this moment. This gift. Her eyes watered a little, and for some reason, she couldn’t help thinking that all of those feelings matched Christmas incredibly well.
“And while I freely admit I’m of limited use in the actual delivery department”—he pressed a kiss to her forehead as he carried her into a guest bedroom they’d intended to use for this purpose—”I promise to do all that I can to let you know I am with you.” He gently laid her on the bed as servants rushed about preparing hot water and linens.
As another pain reminded her that this baby had its own timeline regardless of her carefully constructed plans, Grace looked up at her husband and realized something quite profound. Over the past two years, God had used experiences even more than books to teach her the deepest, most beautiful, and most life-changing things about Him and about life. Even—or perhaps especially—the terrifying, wonderful, utterly inconvenient ones.
“Frederick?” she gasped between pains. “I am so grateful I get to experience this adventure with you.”
His entire face warmed with a smile, and he brushed back her hair from her face. “There is no one else in all the world I would rather haveanyadventure with than you.” He offered her a wink. “Now, let’s get ready to meet our baby.”
Frederick had faced artillery fire.
Chlorine gas.
Blindness.
Not to mention the myriad life-threatening scenes in his life since being married to Grace.
But nothing—nothing—had prepared him for watching his wife in labor.
She’d struggled for an hour, the pains growing increasingly worse, and she’d refused to release his hand. Her gaze pleading with him, almost begging for his strength.
So how was he supposed to just leave her?
“I must ask you to leave, my lord,” Mrs. Powell said from the end of the bed. “It’s only right. Her pains have gotten closer, and the time must be soon, sir.”
Grace’s eyes grew wide, and her hand tightened around his with surprising force. “No, please.” She searched his face. “Don’t leave me.”
His heart nearly broke in two. He looked back over at Mrs. Powell, whose expression brooked no refusal, and then gazed back at his wife. “Darling, I’m certain you are in good hands with Mrs. Powell, and I’ll be right outside the door.”
“Frederick.” She squeezed his name through a groan. Another contraction seized her, and she gasped, her entire body tensing.
He smoothed the damp hair back from her forehead, his other hand trapped in her grip.Dear God, please. Help her.
Because Frederick was utterly helpless.
As the pain passed, she looked back up at him. “Please.” She shook her head. “I know it’s irrational, and I’m certain of my eternal future.” Her voice cracked. “But my mother … when my brother was born … Papa wasn’t there. She was alone with the midwife and the servants, and she …” A single tear slipped down one cheek and rent his heart completely in two. “If … if you’re here and I feel any inclination toward dying, I will fight even harder, knowing you’re in the room watching.”
Frederick’s throat constricted so tightly he could barely breathe. “You’renotgoing to die.”
