"This rose is so sweet!" I exclaimed to her, softly. "What a gardener Cathy is!"
August's thoughts were all for Cathy; she scarcely looked at me. "Yes, indeed!" she said. "Jessie, is she not more beautiful than ever?"
I used all my willpower to push Robbie and the heat of our passion to the back of my mind. "Ah, she is!" I sighed. "I would not have thought it possible."
August linked her arm in mine. "Let us go up to bed," she said. "We have many delightful days ahead of us! We shall need our rest."
We went up the stairs together. August chattered quietly and happily as I washed behind a screen; then I wrapped myself in a bed gown and sat by the fire while she took her turn.
When we lay down together, she sighed softly and took my hand. "Oh, Jessie, it's so good to be together again! If only Sean were here, it would be perfect!"
"Yes, it is wonderful," I said.
She sighed again, and soon her breaths grew deep and slow. I eased my hand from hers and crept from the bed to sit by the window. I knew that Kevin and Robbie were out in the night, and I felt contentment. Slowly my heart and body eased, and I gave a deep sigh.
Robbie was mine. I remembered the words he had spoken behind the greenhouse and a thrill of joy rippled through my body; goose flesh lifted the hairs on my arms. I drew my knees up and rested my chin on them, looking out into the night. Robbie was mine.
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The next morning I woke late; I had slept deeply and well when I had at last returned to the bed, sunlight was streaming into the bedroom and I was alone. I rang for Lily and dressed quickly and went downstairs.
Cathy and August were in the drawing room, working on their embroidery and knitting.
"Good morning, Miss Lie-abed!" said Cathy, from her chair.
"Yes, indeed! Have you had a good sleep?" said August.
I kissed them both, my heart full of happiness. "Good morning! Yes indeed, I did sleep very well! How restful your home is, Cathy!"
"Yes," she said. "It is odd to think that I once felt like a stranger here."
"Surely you must miss Brianag!" I said.
"Of course I do; it's been since Christmas that I was there," she said. "But I know that I shall go back there when the child is old enough; if all goes well, we shall be there for the Harvest ball. Meanwhile I am perfectly content. My parents come to visit me often. My home is where John is."