Faith Hope and Charity

24..........New Life

Agatha Merton was in anguish. What had posessed her to try to bed another woman's husband.
But as she recalled Gisborne's words that Charity was 'especially desirable' in the full bloom of pregnancy. The way his eyes frequently roamed the room lighting up when they found his lady she felt a wave of loneliness and knew why.

She loved Henry. He was stern, morally upright, ascetic and devout. Just how a man in authority ought to be in her opinion. But he was such a closed book on emotions. He never looked at her the way Gisborne looked at Charity.

Did he love her ? Was she desirable to him ? Was she a woman to him or just a possession. A Mother for his children.


He never spoke of these things and she'd never asked. Maybe it was time she did.
And if it was clear that he did not could she bear to take a lover ? Even one who was a single man and free to love where he willed.
She thought not. 'Though shalt not commit adultery'. |She and Henry took all the Commandments seriously. No getting away from it Henry was the only man for her......................

After dinner she put a hand on his arm. ' My Lord. Can we talk please?' Henry looked as if this were a bizarre request but led her over to the fire and sat down.

' Henry'. She so rarely used his Christian name it was enough to grab his attention.
She took heart and went on. ' Do you know that Gisborne and his wife has continued to share a bed throughout her pregnancy ?'
Merton sighed. ' No. I didn't but it doesn't surprise me. He's hardly one of Mother Church's most loyal sons is he ? Is there a point to this Madame or do you simply intend mischief for Sir Guy ?................'

Agatha's eyes shone with tears, Did he really think her capable of trying to sabotage Gisborne's pardon ?
The man was no saint but he had worked well and hard over the year that had almost passed......
' No My Lord'. She was formal again. ' I was just thinking back to my pregnancies and how we slept apart throughout. I would just like to know if that was...........painful for you..'

She groaned and leaned her head into his lap in a rare show of vulnerability. ' I just want to know if you love and want me the way Gisborne does his wife'.

Merton felt a wave of desire at the feeling of his wife's head lying so close to his core. His hand hovered above her soft dark hair as though he were fighting temptation again.......Then he let it slowly descend till it was enveloped in warm silky strands . Suddenly he felt an overwhelming urge to have that hair brush across his bare flesh.........

'Agatha'. He breathed out her name. ' I'm not like Gisborne. He revels in the sensual pleasures of the flesh. I've spent my life fighting them.
But I've always thought you the most beautiful woman in the world and if I were let to choose a bride again now I would still want you.'

He looked at her face that had relaxed into a smile and was wet with tears. Then he bent his head to kiss her.

' Sleep with me tonight ?' He asked her. And arm in arm they went off to bed together.

***************************

Guy sat up in bed awoken with shock. A flood of warm pink fluid had drenched the bed. Charity's eyes were closed as she sat breathing slowly and carefully intersperced with moans.
This had been happening for the past 5 hours but there hadn't been this wetness before.
When her eyes opened again he pulled her against him. And she felt his heart beat in appaling fear.
' Angel....There's something wrong isn't there. Let me get you a doctor now please'.

He'd wanted a doctor for her all afternoon but she'd waved him away. Rowena had said the body practices for labour for sometime before hand and this is what it would likely be.

She looked at him now nervous but determined. ' I don't need a doctor Guy. I need Rowena. The baby's coming'.

Guy out of bed and oblivious to his nakedness banged on the door to Alan and Niamh's room.

Alan opened it bleary eyed. He looked at his naked master and gave a wry grin.

' I'm flattered Giz. But we're both married men and to be brutally honest you're not my type'.

Guy grabbed him. ' Quit the smutty humour, get some clothes on and fetch Rowena...Fast.' He snarled.

Alan got his meaning as Charity began to groan through another even stronger contraction. They were closer together now.

' Bloody Hell........I'm on the job Giz..sorry.... Sir'..................

Niamh was up now and walking round the room with Charity while Rowena calmly changed the bed.

Guy had been sent downstairs with Alan and Thornton protesting loudly. 'What if she's dying'. He moaned. 'I can't leave her'. He sobbed as another cry of pain rent the air.

' Lady Charity is not going to die'. Rowena said firmly. 'Her labour is going both well and fast. The pain is I'm afraid perfectly normal. There is nothing you can do here My Lord. This is a matter between your wife and Nature. I am simply assisting them. Now please let me get on with my job. When anything happens you'll be the first to know.'

It was only 2 hours but to Guy it felt like 2 lifetimes before a delighted Niamh, herself now only 3 months from giving birth came downstairs.

She bobbed a curtsey to Guy. ' Lady Charity's compliments My Lord and would you like to meet your son ?'

Guy gave a howl of joy and kissed Niamh full on the mouth to Allan's great chagrin.

Then he leapt upstairs 2 steps at a time pausing before the bedroom door to regain some composure before opening it.

Rowena was changing the bedding again. Charity was sitting in a chair with a tiny swaddled bundle in her arms currently feeding from one of her breasts.
Guy sank down onto he knees beside her and looked in wonder at his son and heir.

' He's got my hair and my nose too poor little man'. He said dryly.
' It's a perfect nose on your face darling and it will be on his too'. Charity said serenely.
She looked pale and exhausted. Her hair was dark with sweat but to Guy she was the Madonna, the Earth Mother and he adored her.
The child finished his feed. 'Would you like to say hello ?' Charity asked Guy whose face lit up as if unable to believe in such a honour.

The tiny warm bundle was laid in his arms and a tear slid down his cheek. Charity gently wiped it away and bent to kiss his nose.

' He's just perfect'. Guy's voice was choked. ' Totally perfect. How can I thank you enough Angel ?'

' He is perfect'. Charity agreed with a Mother's unstinting partiality. 'And he couldn't have been so divine if you hadn't been his Father'. She went on with a lover's partiality.

' Can I show him to Alan ?' Guy asked hardly above a whisper. Charity smiled. Just don't be too long. I need to sleep again and I want my favourite boys with me'.

TBC