Bertrice Small - Besieged

They reached the Virginias in March. Although Lord Baltimore had advised against having anything to do with the Virginians, whose representatives at court were doing all in their power to stop the Mary's Land colony, Leonard Calvert had a message for Virginia's governor from the king, as well as some gifts for him that he wished to personally deliver. The colonists stayed nine days in Virginia, and the Virginians were extremely cordial much to Governor Calvert's surprise. When they left they took along a local fur trader, Captain Fleet, to serve them as a translator with the Indians, and a guide, for he knew the Chesapeake country well.

As their ships traversed Chesapeake Bay, the colonists stood at the ship's rails viewing their new home for the first time. The forests were magnificent, filled with both hard and soft woods. Kieran Devers knew he had finally come home, and was astounded by the certainty and confidence he felt in his heart. How he wished that Fortune had been able to come with them so they might see it for the first time together; but when she did come, he would have a home ready for her. He knew she was going to love it every bit as much as he already did. He hurried to his cabin to write her a letter. Once they were settled, the Cardiff Rose would be returning back to England, and he wanted it to carry his thoughts to Fortune. He had written them down each day so she could share all she had missed. He wondered if his son was born yet.

They made their first landfall on an uninhabited island that they called St. Clement. The Indians that had lined the shores to the east and the west the past few days were gone now. A tall cross made from newly felled tree trunks was planted. Governor Calvert's priest, Father White, said a solemn mass. Afterward Leonard Calvert took possession of Mary's Land in the name of God, King Charles I, and his brother, Lord Cecil Baltimore. It was the twenty-fifth day of March in the year sixteen hundred and thirty-four.

And on that very day at Queen's Malvern Fortune went into labor shortly after midnight. Her child was, by all calculations, late by at least a week. Fortune was thankful her mother was with her for poor Rois, about to have her own child, was of no use at all.

Jasmine took one look at the young maidservant's face as she entered her daughter's bedchamber, and said, "Get out! Send Rohana and Toramalli to me at once."

Rois sent the duchess a grateful look, and scurried out as best she could, given her own girth at the moment.

"Jesu, it hurts!" Fortune said. "I never realized how much it would hurt. When India went into labor, I rode off to fetch you and Papa. Owww! How long will it take, Mama?"

"Get up," Jasmine said. "We'll walk together for awhile, and see if we can speed up your travail, poppet. Alas, I'm sorry to tell you that bairns being born are neither practical or sensible. They come when they come, and that is the truth of it."

" 'Tis not particularly encouraging, Mama," Fortune muttered.

The bedchamber door opened, and Jasmine's twin servants entered the room.

"Young Bramwell would like to know, my lady, where you would like the birthing table set up," Rohana said.

"Bring it in here and set it by the fireplace. And see the cradle is brought as well as water, cloths, and swaddlings," Jasmine said. She was beginning to be assailed by memories. Her son, Charlie, had been born here at Queen's Malvern. His father, Prince Henry, had been with them. At first he had stood behind her, bracing her shoulders, encouraging her with soft words, massaging her distended belly with gentle hands. He seemed to have an instinct as to what to do, although he later admitted he had never before seen a child born. And when it was obvious that Jasmine was about to deliver, he had called Adali to take his place, and gone around the table, pushed her grandmother Skye aside, and birthed Charlie with his own hands. Jasmine felt the tears coming, and turned away quickly. Henry Stuart had been such a sweet man.

"Mama!" Fortune cried out. "I do not think I can walk another step. The pains are getting worse, and they are coming so quickly now."

It was now almost dawn, and Fortune had been laboring to bring forth her child for several hours now.

"Let us help you onto the birthing table," Jasmine said.

Fortune struggled onto the table with Toramalli's aid while Rohana went behind her to brace her shoulders.

"I saw your mother born, and your brothers and sisters," Rohana said. "Now I am to see your child born, my lady Fortune. I am so sorry you will be leaving us. I will not get to see the other children you will bear that fine young husband of yours."

"Ihate him!" Fortune shouted. "How could he do this to me, and then go galivanting off to the New World while I am left to suffer like this? Owww! Will this child not be born? Mama, it's been hours!"

"You sound more like India than Fortune," Jasmine said. "I told you the child will come when it comes, and not before."

Several hours passed, and in midafternoon the baby's head finally appeared. Jasmine encouraged her daughter to push forth the child. Slowly. Slowly. The full head and the shoulders appeared. Then with a mighty push the child slid from its mother's womb. Its eyes flew open to meet those of its grandmother, and then opening its mouth the child howled with outrage.

"It's a little girl," Jasmine said, sounding simply delighted.

"It is?" Fortune was exhausted, and relieved. "Let me see her, Mama." She held out her arms.

Jasmine put the baby into her daughter's arms, and Fortune shrieked.

"She's all bloodied, Mama! Is she injured?"

"Birthing is a bloody business as my grandmother once told Prince Henry," Jasmine replied. "We'll clean her up in a minute. She's fine. A healthy little lass. Just listen to her cry, bless her."

Fortune looked down at the red-faced infant in her arms. Her small face was scrunched tightly with her anger, and her eyes were closed although her mouth was wide open as she roared, apparently affronted. "Shhhh, baby," Fortune ventured her first words to her child. The baby suddenly ceased crying, and opening her eyes looked directly into her mother's eyes. Fortune felt a sudden jolt, and was instantly filled with an overwhelming love for this child. "Her eyes are blue," she said wonderingly.

"All babies' eyes are blue," Jasmine said dryly. "Surely you remember that, being my third eldest, poppet."

"She's bald," Fortune observed.

"The girls usually are," Jasmine replied. "There's a bit of reddish fuzz, however, see." She gently touched the baby's head. "What are you going to call her?"

"Aine," Fortune said. "I'm going to name her after Kieran's little sister. I didn't expect a lass, Mama. I thought I was to have a son, and I was going to name him James, after Papa, but somehow I just know this wee lass of mine should be called Aine. Aine Mary Devers is what I shall baptize her." She kissed the baby's small head. "And I shall baptize her a Catholic, for I know her father would want it."

"You can't bring a priest into your brother's house considering his position," Jasmine said. "She must be baptized in England's church. When you and Aine get to Mary's Land, Fortune, you can do whatever you please. Here in England, however, you will follow the law of the land even as the queen does. Is that understood?"

Fortune nodded.

"Now let me have my granddaughter back for she must be cleaned, and you have yet to give me the afterbirth. We will plant it beneath an oak tree on the estate so that Aine Mary Devers will always be strong." Jasmine took the child, and gave it to Toramalli. Then she encouraged her second daughter to finish the business of birthing. And when mother and newborn were properly cleaned up, Fortune tucked into her bed, Aine in her cradle by the fire with the faithful Rohana seated next to her to watch over her, Jasmine brought her daughter a strengthening drink.

Slowly Fortune sipped it down. She was suddenly so worn, and very, very sleepy. Her eyes closed, and Jasmine just caught the half-empty goblet as it was about to fall from Fortune's hand. She smiled down at her child. How the years had flown, but she was grateful that she had been able to be with Fortune at this time. Soon her child would be gone from her. It was unlikely they would ever meet again for, Jasmine thought, I am not of a mind to cross any more oceans. She caressed Fortune's smooth forehead lovingly, then she crossed the chamber to look at her new granddaughter. The child was fair even as her mother had been. Kieran Devers wouldn't be disappointed, and there would be plenty of time for sons when Fortune got to Mary's Land.

"Watch for a bit, Rohana," she said to her serving woman. "I'll send Joan, or Polly to relieve you in a little while."

"Yes, my lady," Rohana replied. "She's a fine little lass, isn't she? I'm sorry we won't get to see her grow up."

Jasmine sighed. "I am too," she replied, "but Aine has her own fate, and only time will tell us what it is."

"Mama! Mama! The captain of the Cardiff Rose is here!" Fortune called excitedly. "Oh, sir, we thought you should never come! Tell me how my husband is, please! When are we to leave for Mary's Land?" She whirled about. "Rois! We must start packing!"

"Captain O'Flaherty? I am Jasmine Leslie," the duchess of Glenkirk said as she came forward, her hand outstretched.

Ualter O'Flaherty took the elegant hand, and kissed it. "We are cousins, madame, having the glorious Skye O'Malley in common for a grandmother. As we have never met, I wanted to come personally to deliver Kieran's messages to his wife, and to you. I hope you will forgive my unannounced arrival." He bowed smartly, and smiled at the two women, thinking that his cousin, Jasmine's, beauty had not been exaggerated. The garnet red gown she wore certainly complemented her dark hair and exotic turquoise blue eyes. And Kieran's wife was equally beautiful with her red hair, and blue-green eyes so like his own, so like Skye O'Malley's.

"You are more than welcome, Cousin. You must be one of my hardly-ever-seen Uncle Ewan's sons, are you not?" Jasmine asked.

"His youngest son, and next to last child," the captain said.

"Tell us of Mary's Land," Fortune said.

"I think we should offer our cousin some refreshment first, and ask him to sit by the fire," the duchess told her daughter. "June is such a fussy month. Warm one minute, and cold the next. It has been raining for three days now. It must have been a chilly ride."

"Being at sea teaches one to get used to all weather, especially the inclement, madame," he replied with a smile, taking a goblet of wine as it was offered to him.

They sat down by the blazing fire in the hall, and the captain handed Fortune a large packet.

"What is it?" she wondered aloud, taking it from him.

"Your husband kept a daily record of his experiences, and he has sent it to you along with a letter, my lady Fortune," Ualter O'Flaherty said. He sipped the wine appreciatively.

"Is he well?" Fortune asked softly.

"He was in the best of health and spirits when I left him, my lady. The crossing was the best, I am told by the other captains more familiar with an Atlantic crossing, that any of them had ever had. The Virginians welcomed us, and the land that has become Mary's Land is beautiful beyond measure, but your husband's diary will tell you everything you need to know, my dear lady. We have brought back a cargo of salt fish from the Plymouth colony, which we called in on during our return journey, as well as beaver and fox furs. It will make the round trip a profitable one for you, my lady."

"You will remain with us for a few days, Cousin," Jasmine extended the invitation.

"I would be honored, madame," he answered her.

Fortune tore open the packet as they talked. It was a great temptation to read Kieran's letter first, but instead she began to read the journal of his travels, knowing he had written it in order to make her a part of the voyage she could not take, but soon would. She read the afternoon through, and the servants were setting the high board for the evening meal when she finally opened her husband's letter. She read it through, swearing softly under her breath as she did. Then she turned to Captain O'Flaherty.