and Rhys kissed Anna’s cheek. “Thank you for everything you have done to make tonight special. If Dez hadn’t already married you, I would have to do so myself,” he teased.
Dez and Anna said goodnight and Rhys escorted Dalinda back toward the ballroom. Before they entered, he stopped.
“I must tell you the same as I did Anna. Tonight is a success in no small part thanks to your contributions. The whole of Sheffield Park has seen your hand upon it. I am grateful to you, Dalinda. More than I could ever say.” He paused. “My only regret is that I cannot ask you to dance with me tonight. I would have enjoyed that,” he said wistfully.
She spoke from her heart. “There is another kind of dancing we can do, Rhys. If you are willing to come again to—”
“Your Grace.” Marsh appeared before them. “You are needed at once.”
Of all times for the butler to interrupt.
“What is it?” Dalinda asked sharply.
Marsh looked sheepish as he said, “Mrs. Abernathy has just gone into labor, Your Grace.”
“Oh!”
Dalinda had learned earlier in the evening in the receiving line that the local midwife would not be in attendance because one of the estate’s tenants had gone into labor with her first child, which meant she would be tied up most likely until tomorrow morning. Mrs. Abernathy, on the other hand, had not been due for two more weeks with her second child.
Turning to Rhys, she said, “First babies take their time in coming. Those that follow can arrive swiftly. There is no time to see Mrs. Abernathy back to her cottage.”
“Do what you must,” he said and she caught the regret in his eyes at their unfinished conversation.
“Mr. Marsh, see that hot water is put on to boil and that Mrs. Marsh gathers clean linens. I will take Mrs. Abernathy to a guest bedchamber.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
The butler left swiftly and Dalinda entered the ballroom. She located Mr. and Mrs. Abernathy in a corner. Mr. Abernathy looked perplexed, while his wife sat in a chair and grimaced.
“Hello, Mrs. Abernathy,” she said calmly. “I hear that your labor has started.”
“It has, Your Grace,” the woman replied. “My water broke.” She indicated the floor underneath her. “I was dancing and probably shouldn’t have been and suddenly felt lightheaded. My husband led me to a seat . . . and this happened,” she said in dismay.
Rhys appeared. “We are going to take you to a room upstairs, Mrs. Abernathy.”
“Oh, my lord, I couldn’t impose upon you.” Then a labor pain struck her and she sucked in her breath, wincing.
“It is no imposition at all. Her Grace will attend to you.”
The woman’s eyes grew round as she looked at Dalinda. “You will?”
She smiled. “I have done this often, Mrs. Abernathy. Here, let your husband and Lord Sheffington assist you upstairs.”
The two men got on either side of her and helped her to stand. The dancing still went on and they were able to slip from the ballroom unnoticed. Once upstairs in a guest room, Mrs. Marsh appeared and told Dalinda preparations were being seen to as she settled the mother-to-be in the bed.
She said, “Mr. Abernathy, I know your child is with you tonight. The ball will be ending within the hour. You are welcome to remain here and wait for your wife to deliver the baby or you can take your boy home and put him to bed and await word from me.”
The farmer nodded. “I think it best for us to go home. I can get someone to come and watch my boy and then return and wait. If that’s not too much trouble,” he said worriedly.
“Not at all. I will take good care of Mrs. Abernathy.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.” He took her hands and squeezed them. “Thank you.”
“Lord Sheffington, you might want to go with Mr. Abernathy. His wife needs her privacy.”
“Of course, Your Grace,” Rhys said. “Let me know if you have need of anything.”
The two men left and Dalinda smiled at Mrs. Abernathy. “You will certainly have a story to tell. Giving birth at a country ball!”
The woman chuckled and then gripped the bedclothes as another pain struck her. As Dalinda examined her to see what progress had been made, she prayed that all would go well as she delivered this babe—and tried to put aside all thoughts of making love with Rhys.
Chapter Sixteen
Rhys accompanied his departing guests to their waiting carriage. Anna held Charlie up and he kissed the baby’s head, a sudden rush