A Wicked Conceit, Anna Huber [best e book reader txt] 📗

As the contraction subsided, I relaxed in relief, taking several deep breaths before answering. “Let me lean back against you.”

He gathered me between his legs, and I melted into him, laying my head against his strong chest. His arms wrapped around me, cradling me close, as his hands rested against my abdomen. “How long has this been happening?”

“I started to notice them when we were on our way to Mr. Heron’s, but I thought they were false labor pains like before.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

My nerves ruffled at the irritation in his tone. “I told you. I thought they were false labor pains. I didn’t know I was actually going into labor. And the plan was to take everything to Maclean after speaking to Mr. Heron. I wasn’t anticipating any danger.”

He moved his hands to my arms, rubbing them soothingly up and down. “You’re right.”

“I didn’t know this was going to happen.” My voice cracked with emotion. “I didn’t know we were going to be trapped in the vaults.”

“I know, Kiera,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to my temple. “Don’t fret. Everything will be well in the end.”

“How?”

“I don’t know, but it will. Trust me.” His fingers brushed my disheveled hair away from my face. “You do trust me, don’t you?”

“Yes,” I replied without hesitation.

“Then let me worry about all of that. You just focus on yourself and telling me what to do. I’m at your command,” he attempted to jest.

My lips curled into a little smile. “That might be how I got into this situation in the first place.”

Gage laughed, a deep hearty sound that shook the firm muscles of his abdomen, jostling me in the process. I flushed with the pleasure of knowing I’d been the one to cause him such merriment even in the depths of our bleak circumstances.

“Touché. But the offer still stands.”

For the moment I was simply content to be supported by his embrace, and the knowledge that at least I wouldn’t have to go through this alone.

And with that thought, the flame in the lantern flickered and went out.

Chapter 28

I lost track of time then. What there was of it became measured in breaths and heartbeats between contractions. I could tell they were growing steadily closer together and increasing in intensity even though we couldn’t see the dial of Gage’s watch in the darkness. Each time I thought the pain was unbearable, I would discover I was wrong, for the ache that tore through me would suddenly increase.

Through it all, Gage remained by my side—stroking my hair, rubbing my back, coaxing me with words of encouragement and affection, helping me to breathe. Even when my water broke, soaking his bottom as well as mine, he merely carried me to a dry area of the stone floor and resettled us.

I knew his head must be pounding from the blow he received, but he never complained, never wavered. Had I the wherewithal to thank him, I would have, but all I could do was lean into him in gratitude. That was, when I wasn’t cursing and groaning in pain. Somewhere, in the depths of me, I knew that everything I was going through was normal. Everything except being trapped underground in the vaults. But that was little comfort given our circumstances.

I began to doze briefly between contractions, too weary to remain fully awake even under our dire circumstances. So when Gage startled me out of my daze, struggling to rise to his feet as he gently eased me back against the wall, I knew something important was happening.

“What is it?” I croaked through a dry throat.

He shushed me, and I strained to listen along with him. At first I heard nothing but the steady drip of water and feared Gage had begun imagining things in the darkness. But then the distant echo of a voice reached my ears, too.

“Here!” Gage shouted, making the stone chamber ring with the sound of his voice. “We’re here!” I heard him wince. The sound of his own voice must be piercing his injured head like needles, but he continued to yell.

For some time after that, I was overwhelmed by another contraction, but once it subsided, I could hear the voices moving closer, and then hands banging on the door. I began to weep softly in gratitude. When the bar was finally removed and the door swung open, Gage and I both flinched from the brilliance of the light of their lanterns.

“Thank God, you’ve found us,” Gage gasped, revealing for the first time to me how anxious he’d been. “Kiera. She’s gone into labor. And I don’t think it will be long now. Can you help me carry her?”

I looked up at their faces as they moved closer, Gage’s streaked with blood and dirt, and then Bonnie Brock and Anderley. “Wait,” I cautioned them as I felt another contraction coming on.

Gage clasped my hands, breathing with me through the pain even as it knifed through me. When it waned and I could open my eyes, I could see how pale Anderley appeared. But Bonnie Brock’s jaw seemed to lock in determination.

“I’ll carry her,” he stated bluntly. “Yer head must be poundin’, and yer liable to drop her should ye become dizzy.”

Whether Gage attempted to argue, I didn’t hear, for Bonnie Brock swept me up into his arms without preamble and strode from the room. Stump and Locke stood waiting for us with lanterns and set off ahead of him to light the way. I lay limp and pliant in his arms, too weary and relieved to remain aloof, trusting him to guide us out of the darkness, and Gage with Anderley’s aid to follow.

Each time a contraction would sweep through me, I heard Bonnie Brock softly encouraging me. “T’won’t be long noo, lass. We’re almost there.” But he never broke stride, recognizing that what I needed most was