Oh, no, she couldn't!
Ellie patted Lindsay's hand and shot Ben a pleading glance. No way did she want him leaving!
'Lindsay, I'm an A and E nurse, not a midwife,' she pointed out hastily. 'I'll be here to help Ben and give you moral support, but I can't take responsibility. You know I can't. It wouldn't be right. And I've known him long enough to know we can trust him. And, anyway, I've got one of my feelings.'
Lindsay groaned. 'Good or bad?'
'Good,' Ellie said in a definite tone. She had to convince Lindsay. They needed a doctor. Her eyes slid to his broad frame but he was still watching Lindsay, his eyes flicking down to his watch as she was racked by another contraction.
'Only three minutes since the last one,' he said softly. 'I'd say this baby is in rather a hurry.'
'Oh, God, I didn't want this to happen. I didn't want to have it at home.' Lindsay gave a whimper of panic and Ben crouched down so that he was at her level.
'Home is a great place to have a baby, Lindsay. Where I've been working, home is where everyone has their babies. I realise that you don't know me, and you're right to be cautious...' the look he shot Ellie was meaningful, 'but in this case I promise you can trust me.'
Lindsay stared at him dubiously. 'It's just that, well, you don't look like a doctor.'
That was true enough, Ellie reflected. He looked like a film star.
The corner of his mouth moved slightly. 'Because I need a shave? Do you want me to call someone who can vouch for me? Or you can give me razor and I'll shave here in your bathroom if it will make you feel better.'
There was humour in his tone and something else—a calm confidence that seemed to reassure Lindsay. 'No—there's no need to do that, and I'm sorry if I sound rude but I'm just panicking.' She winced and shifted her position slightly. 'You see, the baby is breech and they think I'll need a section. I'm nobody's idea of a good candidate for a home birth.'
Ben was suddenly still, although his expression didn't change.
'In that case I need to examine you and see if we've time to get you to hospital.'
Not by a flicker of an eyelid did he betray his concern, but Ellie knew he must have felt it. Even with her limited obstetric experience, she knew that breech births should take place in hospital.
Lindsay was looking at him with frightened eyes. 'And what if there isn't time? What happens then?'
"Then I deliver a breech here.' He sounded so relaxed and confident that even Lindsay started to look less traumatised.
'And have you done that before?'
'Of course.'
Ellie looked at him curiously, wondering if he was bluffing. Had he really delivered a breech?
Lindsay still looked worried. 'Everyone told me that breech babies should be born in hospital. What if it all goes wrong—?'
'It won't go wrong.' Ben rose to his feet with athletic grace, totally in control and sensationally attractive. 'It seems to me that three of us and a baby cramped together in this small bathroom is pushing the realms of comfort. Let's move into your bedroom, shall we? Then I can take a look at you. If there's time to get you to hospital, I promise that I'll get you there.'
Lindsay looked at him and then nodded, and Ellie breathed a sigh of relief.
CHAPTER TWO
WITH considerable help from Ben, Lindsay struggled through to the bedroom and settled down on the bed with a groan.
'Don't get too comfortable,' Ben said immediately, pulling off his jacket and tossing it to one side. 'I'm just going to nip down to my car for my bag and then I'm going to examine you.'
Ellie glanced sideways at her cousin, knowing what a private person she was and wondering how she'd react to the prospect of being examined by Ben, but Lindsay was breathing steadily, clearly thinking of nothing but her baby.
Ben strode out of the room and was back only minutes later, a large bag in his hand.
Lindsay lifted her eyebrows and gave a weak smile. 'You must have been a Scout. Are you always this prepared?'
'Since I started working in remote parts of the world.' Ben gave a glimmer of a smile as he pushed up his sleeves and made for the bathroom. 'Experience has taught me that it's wise to always carry at least a basic supply of equipment with me.'