The Bairn of Brianag

Eleanor has given permission for Rabbit sleep here with you; she will be company for you."

He patted my hand, and I pulled it away. "Come now, lass. Make haste. I shall wait for you and we shall walk up to the house together, and you will find many to visit with."

"I cannot eat now; I shall be ill," I said, feeling my stubbornness well up in me, knowing it, and yet unable to stop myself. "Please make my excuses."

"As you wish." He put on his hat. "Supper is at five o'clock. See that you are rested and dressed for supper at half past four, and I will come for you." He went out.

I heard his boots going down the steps, then heard him whistling as he passed the bedroom window. I turned my face into my pillow and wept.

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Promptly at four-thirty I was dressed for supper. It seemed very strange to be dressed so early, and I was sweating in the pink silk gown, but I was determined to be composed and elegant when Robbie came for me. Rabbit, though her skills as ladies' maid were not exemplary, did her best to put up my hair, and I myself pinned ribbons in it. I wished for a necklace; I tied a ribbon around my neck. I went out and sat on the porch.

I could hear Robbie whistling long before I saw him. The cabin faced away from the main house, and he came around from my left and bounded up the steps, stopping short when he saw me.

"Mrs. Stewart!" he said, bowing, and then laughed loudly.

My cheeks grew hot. "Stop laughing, Robbie!" I said. "Why do you laugh every time you say that! I see nothing amusing in it!"

He tried to straighten his face, but could not stop grinning. "Ach, lass, it's right you are! There is no amusement to be found in marriage!"

I stood. "And please stop talking with that brogue; its crude," I said. "You sound like an ignorant, back country-"

"What? Look about you, lass; this is the back country, and you live here now. You'll be speaking the brogue yourself before long, I'll warrant." He offered me his arm. "Let us go up to supper."

We were silent as we walked. The heat was oppressive. Sweat trickled down my neck. As we mounted the porch stairs, Hamish rose from his chair.

"Jessamine, how do you fare this day?" he said.