The Bairn of Brianag

"We shall stay three days."

Shock vibrated through me. I had forgotten. I raised my eyes to Kevin's before I could stop myself; then quickly lowered them again, looking toward my mother, then my father. I could not spend three days alone with my mother now. I simply could not.

"Is it so? How swiftly the time passes!" said Papa. "And when you return, Jessie shall travel to Grant's Hill with August O'Reilly?"

"Yes, Papa, that is what we have planned," I said quickly, looking from my mother to him.

I could feel Kevin's eyes on me. I threw another swift glance at him, then looked at my mother.

"We shall see," she said.

"Perhaps I myself would enjoy a trip to Charles Town," said Kevin, thoughtfully.

"What say you, Papa?"

"I?" said Papa. "Ach, I have no wish to visit the Town; though you go if you wish, my boy. We have most of the planting done. Go with your mother and sister and enjoy yourself."

Relief and thankfulness flooded me; I again thanked God for my father and my brother Kevin.

My mother's mood remained bitter over the next two days. I did indeed find myself locked in my room that first night; but I knew from experience that she would not keep her promise to keep me locked away for weeks. As a child she had made such threats but my father had prevented her carrying them out; now he did not know about her maltreatment of me, for I was too ashamed to tell him of her accusations, no matter how absurd they were. But Kevin knew without my telling him. He was ever watchful that he might somehow save me from my mother's harsh treatment. My mother would not wish to bring my father's displeasure upon herself. Keeping me confined to my room every night would have provoked comment from Kevin. We were too often together, playing music after supper, or cards.

Going to Charles Town would not be such an ordeal with Kevin along. Perhaps I might even enjoy it. Perhaps it would distract me from my preoccupation with Robbie, and it would give me time to devise a way to convince him that we must be together.

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The trip to Charles Town was quite pleasant. My mother's mood brightened; she enjoyed the town and visiting the shops, the visits with friends, the dances and suppers.

Kevin escorted us everywhere.

Our second night there was spent at the home of the eminent Charles Town hostess Mrs. Smith; my mother had received the invitation weeks ago for supper and dancing. I wore a new gown of emerald silk; it did not flatter me as much as it would have done Cathy, with her red-gold hair and emerald eyes, but nonetheless I felt very pretty. My hair was a nondescript light brown color but Lily had combed it all up and pinned ribbons in it; the dark fabric of the gown darkened my light blue eyes to gray.