The Bastard (Darling #2) [complete]

Chapter Five

L O U E L L E  C L E M E N S had never been outside of the castle walls in her eighteen years of existence. It was not that she was afraid to do so, she was just never allowed. Her father never permitted it for either of his daughters. Even if he sent guards with them for their own security, he still felt it was too dangerous. She never wished to truly leave, either. She enjoyed her life in the castle. She had a routine of her own to upkeep there.

However, after the events which transpired at the harvest festival, she knew her routine would have never been the same. There was no more routine. She had to give it up.

When she arrived at Miss Wright's home in the middle of the night, the only thing she needed to do was place her hand over her belly. Miss Wright - the midwife - did not need Louelle to explain herself in words, understanding what the young lady was attempting to express with even being half asleep. It wasn't just that. Miss Wright had often been woken in the middle of the night by other ladies who seeked her help.

The midwife was an outcast in her village because of the profession she chose. It was not the safest of procedures. She had deceased bodies on the table more than she had recovering bodies. Most of, if not all, her fellow villagers called her a murderer - both to her face and behind her back. At first, the words had stung her and she wished to give up her work. What others had said about her were true. She had murdered several ladies. Of course, unintentionally.

It was never Miss Wright's intention to cause such harm to another human being. She was aware of the inevitable fate most of the ladies would fall into if she performed the procedure. She only wished to be of assistance. They all had come to her; all so helpless.

And because of her need to please others, she agreed to continue. Her new requirement for any new subject would be for them to wait forty-eight hours to ensure they were certain with their decision. Most of the times when ladies "decided", it was impulsive behavior. What she had chosen for her life's work involved life and death.

She had stood strong on the rule she implemented several months prior when Louelle appeared on her doorstep last night. The lady, just like the others, had appeared to be crying for hours - days, even - when the midwife first laid eyes on her. She was tightly wrapped in a black cloak and was shaking. Miss Wright was unsure if it was due to the chill in the air or because of the lady being frightened. Most of them shook when they arrived. It had just been too early for her to decipher it just yet.

After ushering Louelle into the warmness of her home, she caught a glimpse of the carriage that delivered her riding away. Her heart fell to the pit of her stomach when she recognized the Royals crest on its side. She presumed it to be yet another one of the king's mistresses.

Throughout the years of her profession, several of the king's past lovers came to her for her aid. It made her feel sick to her stomach that Darling's so-called leader would leave many young women to resort to the possibility of ending their lives, rather than helping them. Whether it be financial or shelter, King James should have given whatever assistance was needed of him. He had well more than enough resources to do so.