"Kerr, Katharine - Deverry 03 - Bristling Wood v1.1" - читать интересную книгу автора (Dragon Stories)

now and then with a cloth soaked in cold water.

УLet her suck a bit of moisture from a clean rag,Ф said the herbman
who was attending the birth. УBut just a bit.Ф

Another serving lass hurried to get clean cloth and fresh water
without a momentТs hesitation. Not only was old Nevyn known as
the best herbman in the kingdom, but it was widely rumored that he
had the dweomer. Lovyan smiled at the lassТs awe, but only
slightly, because she knew full well that the rumors were true.
When she glanced at Nevyn in a questioning sort of way, he gave
her a reassuring smile, then spoke to Donilla. His ice-blue eyes
seemed to bore into her soft brown ones and capture her very
soul. With a sigh she relaxed as if some of the pain had left her.

УItТll be soon now, my lady.Ф His voice was very soft and kind.
УBreathe deeply now, but donТt bear down on the babe. ItТll be
coming soon.Ф

Donilla nodded, gasped at a contraction, and let out her breath in a
long, smooth sigh. Although Lovyan had given birth to four sons
herself, she couldnТt remember her own labors being this difficult.
Perhaps IТve just forgotten, she thought. One does forget the pain,
and so oddly soon. Restlessly she paced to an open window and
looked out on the bright spring day while she considered the irony.
Poor Donilla had been so eager to have a child; now she was
probably wishing that she truly had been barren. When the younger
woman moaned again, Lovyan winced in sympathy.

УItТs crowning, my lady!Ф Nevyn crowed in victory. УSoon, very soon.
NowЧbear down.Ф

Lovyan stayed at the window until she heard the high-pitched wail,
a good, healthy cry at that. She turned around to see Nevyn and the
serving woman laying Donilla down on the pallet prepared by the
stool and laying the babe, still attached by the cord, at her breast.
With trembling fingers the lady stroked the soft fuzz on her childТs
head and smiled in wide-eyed triumph.

УA son, Your Grace!Ф she croaked. УIТve given my lord another
son.Ф

УAnd a fine healthy one, at that,Ф Lovyan said. УShall I go tell his
lordship the good news?Ф

Donilla nodded, her eyes on the tiny face already nuzzling at her
breast.

As she went downstairs, LovyanТs heart was heavy, and she felt
badly about it. Of course Donilla deserved this moment of triumph,