“It is indeed.” She slipped a strong arm around Jane’s shoulders and helped her sit up a little.
Even that slight motion made Jane’s head swim and the room turn circles around her. She stared at the bedpost and breathed slowly, waiting for the dizziness to pass. It did not. Neither did it grow worse, so Jane did her best to pay it no mind. She raised her hand to the mug but was still grateful for the doctor’s help. She had not had a beef tea since she was living with her parents. The warm, salty drink restored some of the moisture in her mouth.
She finished the mug, and the doctor eased her back to the bed. “Good. We shall try you with some liver and greens next.” She set the mug on the side table and turned the counterpane back. “I just want a quick look at the baby. This will not take a moment.”
Vincent hovered at the foot of the bed, arms crossed over his chest. He bit his lip, shifting from one foot to the other. Jane stretched out her right arm to the far side of the bed, beckoning him, for his comfort as much as hers. He moved to sit on the edge and laced his fingers through hers. His gaze darted between her face and the doctor’s activities.
He cleared his throat. “Have you attended many births?”
“Mm … close to forty this past year. Roll on your left side for me, Mrs. Hamilton.”
Jane complied, trying to recollect how many she had read about in the estate records. It had not seemed like half so many. “Were those all live births?”
The doctor’s hands paused on her stomach. “Some are at other estates or among the free coloured population, of course.” She drew the quilts back over Jane with a smile. “Everything seems in order. Now, I want you to keep your feet up and drink plenty of the beef tea. I shall be just down the hall tonight if you need anything.”
“You are staying here?”
“At your husband’s request.”
“What about Amey? And your other patients, and—”
“It keeps me closer at hand, should Amey begin her labour. My assistant knows where to send for me should I be needed. He is used to me moving from time to time.” She brushed the hair back from Jane’s forehead and laid her warm palm against it again. “I shall see you in the morning. Mr. Hamilton? A word, please.”
Jane clutched his hand. “Not in private.”
“Muse—”
“I have nothing very alarming to report, but wanted you to rest.” Still, the doctor addressed her comments to Vincent rather than Jane. “She is not to be moved until she regains some strength. Even then … Mr. Frank told me that you had intended to take ship, and I must advise against that. A week in bed. Then she might move about the house, but no agitation. I cannot stress this enough. No agitation or exertion. Another two weeks should see her fit enough to venture out for gentle exercise, but I should still be cautious about travelling far for a month or more. I will stay here tonight and tomorrow, after which she should be out of immediate danger. Have you any questions?”
“Is there anything I should be doing to help?”
The doctor looked from him to Jane and gave a little smile. “In the ordinary course of things, I often advise the husband to sleep elsewhere so that my patient’s rest is not disturbed. You, I think, should stay with your wife as much as you can. Am I correct, Mrs. Hamilton?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
“Very good.” She gave a brisk nod and blew out the closest candle. “I shall see you in the morning.” As quick as that, she was across the room and out the door.
Vincent let out an unsteady breath. “Well, Muse. Shall I blow out the rest of the candles so you can sleep?”
“I think I shall sleep regardless of the light in the room.” Jane had never been so tired. “What were you reading before?”
“I have no idea. It was something about plantation management, but I think I read the same paragraph all evening.” The slight compression of his lips as he bent his head spoke volumes. Vincent ran his thumb over the ends of her fingers. “It is very dull. Shall I read you to sleep?”
“Would you … would you work some glamour?”
His brows rose in surprise.
“Not much. I am certain you are tired as well. I only want…” She wanted a change in the room so that it looked different from where she had been held down and bled. But a full glamural was too much work for a night. “I like to watch you work.”
“Of course.” Yet, he paused, gazing at her. The candlelight played around the planes of his face and smoothed them into an expression of earnest concern. Her breath stopped at the unexpected openness. Without the sharp line of a collar guarding his jaw, he always seemed younger somehow. “Jane … I do not say this often enough: I love you. Very much.”
Even without stays, Jane could barely draw breath. She offered him a smile that threatened to dissolve into tears. “I love you as well. Rogue.”
“Muse.” Vincent leaned down and kissed her cheek, dark circles under his eyes.