The Bairn of Brianag

I obeyed him, looking up at him, feeling my head lighter, the pain less. I reached for him.

He sat on the bed holding my hand as Rabbit administered to me. When she had finished they helped me to the chair and gave me breakfast. When Rabbit had brought the tray, Robbie sent her away. He sat on a stool close by me, watching me eat, his hands clasped between his knees. The whisky had dulled my appetite, but I drank tea and ate a bit of biscuit and a spoonful of grits. The taste of the hominy and salty butter was exquisite to me. I couldn't remember when I had last eaten.

Finally he spoke. "I must go to Grant's Hill, to bring my aunt and uncle home," he said. "If I leave at once we will be home for supper."

Terror struck at me. I could not speak when I first attempted; only a strangled cry escaped my throat. I swallowed and said, "No, Robbie, you must not leave me! Suppose my father should come for me!"

His face changed as understanding spread across his features. He took the hand I held out to him.

"Send Pete," I said, grasping his hand, my heart thudding.

"Yes. Yes. I will send him at once, with a letter for them. They must see what your mother has done. They will give us permission to marry."

Tears of happiness rushed into my eyes, and my fear abated. "Yes," I said. "Let Pete go now."

He rose and went out of the room. I wondered what he would say in his letter to bring Cathy's parents back to Brianag, so soon after the birth of her child; remorse swept me, and my tears poured faster. I drew my feet up under me, leaning forward with my face in a napkin, and sobbed for a long while. I was still weeping when Robbie came back into the room. I felt him touch my hair.

"Oh, Jessie, lass! Do not weep anymore!"

I raised my face to him. "I am sorry to take Cathy's parents from her now!"

His fingers touched my uninjured cheek. "You know that Cathy would come herself if she knew what has happened, if she were well."

I nodded; I did know this. Cathy would have taken me away from Gillean herself, she would have defended me against my mother, had she been called upon to do so.

"You must lie down again," he said. I did my best to stop sobbing, and allowed him to lead me to the bed. He helped me ease back onto the pillows, and knelt beside me.