Present Day
Tillie was relieved that she had not overslept. She dressed hastily, binding her breasts as per the instructions from the nursemaid who seemed well versed on all things involving babies and motherhood. She edged carefully around the nursemaid and wetnurse, who slept curled together on the floor, and held her breath that Sterling did not stir.
The baby seemed to possess a keen awareness of her presence in relation to himself that she was not sure was entirely normal, but since the arrival of the nursemaid and wet nurse, he seemed more content and settled, which allowed her increased freedom. Combined with her brothers preferring to sleep in the antechamber with Sylvin’s pages and squires, she had regained something that she had not possessed since the fall of Erith – idle time.