Ok gentle reader, here is the first part of chapter 2 of my novel.
Chapter 2
November 5th 1789
The wind howled wildly and shook the house. The maid, who was running along the main upstairs corridor of the house screamed as a jagged flash of lightning illuminated the window and she almost dropped the bundle of towels she was carrying. A stern faced woman in her mid 50's opened the door and glared at the young maid with a look that could curdle cream.
"What took you so long, you stupid girl? the older womn demanded.
"Sorry Mrs Stokes" the girl stammered. 'The master demanded my attention downstairs."
"Its your mistress who is demanding now, my girl" the woman replied; "lets hope this ends quickly."
A scream from inside the room caused the young maid to turn as white as her apron and she clutched at the wall to stop herself from falling.
"Dont be so squeamish Violet", the woman scolded. "Have you never heard a woman give birth before?"
"My father used to let me help when the spring lambs came. I have never heard anything like that before."
The older woman shushed her, "Keep your voice down! Your mistress is no ewe in a field; and this baby may well be the new master one day."
"Yes, Mrs Stokes. Sorry Mrs Stokes. Here are the towels that Dr. Metcalf asked for."
"Good, now go and ensure that the master and his guest have everything they need."
Violet turned and quickly scurried back along the corridor towards the stairs. The housekeeper turned and entered the room from where the screams had been coming and the door was quickly shut.
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Inside the room, which was sparsely decorated, was a bed and on the bed a young woman aged about 22 was in labour. The labour was not going well and the village doctor, a kindly loking, elderly man was looking down on the woman with obvious concern. He briefly looked up to acknowledge the housekeepers return.
"Ahh Mrs Stokes, I hope I'm not being to much trouble to you and your master. Will the gentleman of the house be joining us?"
'Unfortunately, Dr. Metcalf, the master is entertaining a business colleague who has travelled from London and he has specifically asked not to be disturbed."
The woman on the bed screamed again and the doctor refocussed his attention onto her.
"You are doing wonderfully Mrs Foxworth, everything is going to be fine" he reassured her with a lie.
"Where's George?" the young woman asked the housekeeper.
"The master is downstairs Madam, he is being updated as to your progress and sends you his best wishes and his wish for a quick and happy resolution."
"Please impart to him my own regards and that I hope my early confinement has not caused him any..." her words were cut off by another scream, "...inconvenience." she finished.
The doctor turned to the housekeeper and whispered, "Mrs Stokes, Mrs Foxworth is minutes away from giving birth." He got up and leaning in closer he added "She has lost a large amount of blood, that is why I requested more towels."
He cleared his throat and continued "There is a chance that she or the child may perish and your master, her husband is busy downstairs entertaining. It is essential that he is made aware of the seriousness of this."
"I will pass on your message, but the master understands that business must be put before personal matters."
"Even at the cost of his wife or child? the doctor was shocked and horrified.
"Yes sir" the housekeeper informed him matter of factly and without rush or urgency she turned away and left the room.
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