The Bairn of Brianag

I drew a shaky breath and let it out slowly, willing the nausea into stillness. I would depart for Brianag at once. I must find Robbie and tell him that I was carrying his child. We must be married without delay.

I went into my room and found Lily dozing; I shook her awake. "Make haste! I am leaving at once. Go and tell Luke. Do not dally!"

I went to the dresser and looked at myself in the glass. My face was pale, my eyes huge and dark. By departing for Brianag straight away, I could bring the news of Cathy's child myself, and give Robbie the news of his own child.

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The journey to Brianag was interminable. I dozed and woke, and was obliged to stop the carriage on three occasions that I might vomit into the grass at the side of the road.

Finally there was nothing left to come up, and I sank back into the seat, almost fainting.

When I opened my eyes Lily was staring at me.

"What is it?" I snapped at her.

"Nothing, miss," she said, and looked away.

I was too ill to worry about what she was thinking. The day wore on; the sun was terribly hot. I took off my jacket and hat, and Lily held a parasol over me. It seemed as though the journey would never end; but at last I woke from an uneasy doze when the carriage stopped. I sat up. We were at the front steps of Brianag.

Mrs. Randall was there. "Jessie! My dear! Come in at once!" As Luke helped me down she took my hand. "My goodness, you are so weary! Have you come today from Grant's Hill?

Where is your brother?"

"I came suddenly; there was no one to escort me," I said. "I come with good news."

"Yes?" She led me into the house. "Polo, bring water at once. Come, Jessie, sit." She led me through the hall and into the drawing room. "Lily, go to the kitchen and tell the cook to give you rosewater." I sat in a chair, and breathed in the coolness of the house, my body limp with exhaustion.

I looked up at her, feeling relief sweep me. My nausea receded. At Brianag, my troubles were less frightening. I said, "Cathy is lying in early," I said.

She went pale, her hands clasping her throat. I reached up and took her arm. "Mrs.

Randall, please sit down! Cathy is well, and the child also."