OLIVIA
Chapter Twelve
The fire crackled and hissed in
the open fireplace in Olivia’s sitting room. The warmth of it was hardly any
comfort to her as she watched the flames dance in and around the logs. She
placed a hand on her burgeoning belly when she felt the child within her move
and kick. With only a few weeks to go, she felt as large as a whale and as
clumsy.
Nothing she did felt normal.
Everything hurt--her back, her feet, her legs. She was sure she would never
regain the figure she had eight months ago. How could she? Her body was
contorted completely out of shape, and it was all because Caledon Hockley had to
have a son--an heir. She had never said anything to anyone, but she secretly
hoped the child was a girl.
She closed her eyes at the
unpleasant thoughts that invaded her mind. She didn’t want to feel this way,
but she couldn’t help it. It seemed she was always irritable, so much so that
Cal had taken to staying away from her for the most part. He came to check on
her in the morning before leaving and came to check on her in the evening when
he returned. He had insisted that she take her meals in her room now, so she
didn’t even see him at dinner.
She sighed heavily as she plucked
at the lace on her sleeve. She was tired of being pregnant and she was tired
being treated as an invalid. She wanted to get out of this blasted room! With
that, she scooted herself forward and rolled over to one side so that she could
push herself to standing. She threw her hair back from her face as she padded
over to the door and out into the hallway. She came to the top of the staircase
and was just stepping down when she saw Cal ascending them toward her. His face
immediately darkened.
"Olivia, what do you think
you’re doing?"
"I’m getting out of that
room, that’s what," she answered coolly as he neared her. "I’m tired
of staying in there. I want to walk around outside. I want some fresh
air."
"If fresh air is what you
desire, then why don’t you step outside on the veranda?"
"I don’t want to step out on
the veranda," she replied, matching his angry tone.
"You are being obstinate and
unreasonable. It’s far too cold outside to go for a walk in your condition. Let
me help you back to your room."
"No!" she snapped.
"I’m not going back in there."
His eyes glittered in anger as he
stepped up to her. "You are trying my patience, my darling wife. This is
getting rather tiresome, this irrational behavior you continue to exhibit day
after day."
"I’m sorry you find me so
disagreeable," she threw at him. "I’m sorry this pregnancy is such a
burden to you that you can’t even bring yourself to sleep with me
anymore."
Cal’s eyes widened at her outburst.
He reached up and grasped her face firmly in his hand before lowering his own
until it was only inches from hers. "You forget yourself, Olivia. I will
not stand here and be berated like some lackey by my own wife. I can only
assume it is your condition that is prompting you to act so irrationally. I
would suggest that you do not push me further. Is that understood?"
Olivia wavered for a moment as
she stared at him. She knew better than to come against him. It only served to
enflame his temper. His grip on her tightened, and slowly, her anger turned to
trepidation as she dropped her defiant gaze away from him. Defeat lined her
features as satisfaction came over his.
"That’s better," he
cooed complacently, and let go of her face. "Now, go to your room and I
will have Angelina bring your dinner to you momentarily."
She closed her eyes against his
smug smile and gripped the banister tightly. "May I please have my dinner
downstairs tonight?"
He stared at her thoughtfully and
then shook his head. "I don’t think that would be wise. You will be more
comfortable in your suite." As if that were the end of it, he stepped up
onto the landing and brought her with him. She resisted for a moment.
"Please, Cal. I’m so tired
of being cooped up. Please let me eat with you." She cringed at how
pathetic she sounded, but she was desperate to be out of that room. He arched a
questioning eyebrow at her.
"Are you continuing to defy
me? I have already given you my answer. Let that be the end of it." He
took her by the arm and led her back to her suite.
Reluctantly, she entered her
sitting room with him. Her movements were jerky as she walked over to the
window and stared out at the barren landscape below. A misty haze had settled
over everything, giving it a ghostly look. She felt him come up behind her, and
then he placed his hands on her shoulders. She tensed at his touch, but didn’t
move.
"You mustn’t get yourself so
worked up, my dear. It isn’t good for you or the baby."
"The baby is fine," she
answered snappishly. "You know that Dr. Covington was here yesterday and
said everything is progressing normally."
"Of course it is. I have no
doubt that our son will be perfectly normal and healthy."
"Would you please stop
saying that?" She whirled around to face him. "This could be a girl
as well as a boy. You don’t know that this will be a son."
He sighed heavily and pinched his
nose at the bridge. "I’m in no mood to listen to your ramblings, Olivia.
It’s getting quite trying, to say the least. I’m going to take my leave
downstairs and will be up to check on you before I retire for the night."
With that, he turned to leave, but an abrupt gasp from Olivia stopped him.
She was suddenly pale and sweat
had broken out on her face. A widening stain on the front of her gown began to
form. She grabbed her lower belly and bent forward.
"Oh, God. Oh, God. Something
is happening," she whispered hoarsely. Instantly, Cal was at her side. She
gripped his hand fiercely as pain tore through her middle. "Cal, please
help me!" she cried.
"Angelina!" he roared
as he helped Olivia to the bed. He lifted her bodily and laid her down.
"Angelina, blast you, girl! Get in here now!"
The door swung open and Angelina
rushed in. One look at the situation and her hands flew to her mouth.
"Good heavens! Is it time?"
"Yes, you idiot! Summon Dr.
Covington immediately!"
"Yes, sir. Right away,
sir," she answered as she practically stumbled backwards out of the room.
A scream rumbled in Olivia’s
throat as another pain gripped her. She threw her head back on the pillow and
bore down as hard as she could. "Cal!" she cried again. "Cal,
please help me!"
"I’m right here, darling.
Dr. Covington is on his way," he answered in a frantic whisper. "Just
hold on!"
Finally, the pain subsided and
Olivia relaxed for a moment, breathing heavily as she did. "It’s too
soon," she told him, shaking her head. "It’s too soon. I know it
is."
"It’ll be all right,
darling." He pushed her hair back from her forehead as he spoke.
"It’ll be all right."
Before she could respond, another
pain shot through her. She placed her hands on her stomach and let out a
blood-curdling scream.