The Bairn of Brianag

I would take a dozen more of my mother's beatings for Robbie. I would go to the gates of hell for him."

Kevin sighed and looked out across the valley. "That you may well do, sister," he said, and went slowly down the steps. I watched him ride away with tears in my eyes.

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I was sitting in the bed again when I heard Robbie's steps on the porch. I drew deep breaths to steady myself, and waited. He strode into the room, wearing only shirt, breeches, and boots.

"It is almost dinnertime, lass," he said.

"Dinnertime!" I said. "Why, I have only just finished my breakfast."

"Here, the meals are much earlier than in the lowcountry," he said. "You will be expected to rise earlier. Dinner is at noon."

"At noon!" I said. "How strange! Perhaps Rabbit can bring a cold dinner to me later, as she brought my breakfast this morning."

Robbie looked at me, his green eyes clear, and said, "Jessie, heed me now. This is not the lowcountry. If you wish to be accepted as my wife, you must accommodate yourself to our ways here. You are not the mistress, nor yet the child of the master. You are but another member of the family, and shall be expected to follow our customs."

"'Our' customs?" I said, and anger rose in me. "What do you mean, Robbie? That your customs are different than mine? When at home, your customs and mine are the same!"

"This is our home now," he said, turning toward the door. "I shall expect you to sit beside me at the dinner table."

"Robbie!" I leapt off the bed, reaching out and taking his arm. "Why did you notwhere did you sleep last night? I thought you would be here with me! I wanted you!"

He looked out of the window, his eyes narrowing in the bright light. "I shall be sleeping at the men's house," he said, "until haymaking is done."

"At the men's house! With the servants?"

"Not only the servants, but other McDonalds as well. It is more convenient for everyone that way."

My throat swelled with tears, and I swallowed them back down. "I am afraid, Robbie! I cannot stay here in this cabin all alone! So near the road! Suppose the outlaws-"

"The road is guarded night and day," he said; "we all have our turn as sentries.