I laughed. "You know that is not possible," I said.
"We shall receive with the Randalls and John and Cathy," he said, "so be down early."
He kissed me again, and I went up the stairs. When I reached the top, I saw Cathy standing at her door. She looked at me, and I felt my cheeks warm. She smiled and I smiled back, and my strength flowed into me. I hurried into the bedroom to dress.
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I dressed as carefully as if I were going to my very first ball. Susan put up my hair, and applied powder to my cheeks and shoulders. My gown was the most delectable shade of pink; always my favorite. My waist was quite tiny, which pleased me considerably; but my bosom was not as full as it had been last summer. I stared at myself in the mirror. I was thin.
"You look very lovely, dear," said Cathy, and I turned to look at her.
She was as ravishing as ever in a dark green gown; her condition was evident in the bloom of her cheeks and the fullness of her bosom, and her skin was like alabaster, sprinkled with ground nutmeg. Her eyes sparkled and her beautiful auburn hair shone in the candlelight. "Oh, Cathy," I breathed. "You are so beautiful. Does John Belden know what a fortunate man he is?"
"And Robbie?" she said. "Has he begun to appreciate his own good fortune?"
I blushed. "Perhaps. We shall see. I am too thin, Cathy! For how long have I been so?"
"You have been disregarding your food, since the winter," she said. "But perhaps now that Robbie is home, you shall feel more like exercising and your appetite will increase."
I blushed but she only smiled at me serenely. We linked arms and went together down the stairs.
John and Robbie stood at the bottom, and I felt my heart pounding, my cheeks warming once more as we reached them. They both bowed and kissed our hands, and we all went toward the door where the Randalls waited to receive our guests.
Robbie picked up a box from the table by the door, and handed it to me. "I purchased this on faith," he said. "I hope it pleases you."
With trembling fingers I opened it, and gasped. It was a thick gold chain, between the links of which had been set at least a dozen emeralds. Cathy and Mrs. Randall leaned near to look, and I lifted the beautiful thing from its velvet nest.