31

Chapter 31

Susan brought someone with her when she came to check on Madison. “This is Joan.” She patted the older woman on the shoulder. “She’s the best midwife I know, and used to be one of my professors when I was in medical school.”

Madison shook her leathery hand, impressed by the strength remaining in the deceptively fragile fingers. “How do you do, Joan?”

Joan tipped her head. “More importantly, how are you, miss?”

“I managed to eat some breakfast.”

“And you’ve had a change of accommodations,” noted Susan, clearly pleased. “I’m glad for that.”

“I’m not,” said Madison with a rueful twist of her lips. “I’ve just traded one prison for another.” And the man who had put her in that tower to start with inhabited this cell.

Susan squeezed her shoulders in a one-armed hug. “He’ll come around.”

Madison shook her head. “I don’t want him to, Susan. I just want to get through this, have the baby, and be allowed some freedom. The last thing I want is to reunite with Tiernan.”

Joan cleared he