The Bairn of Brianag

It stayed, infusing my insides with heat and dulling the pain on my skin. I vowed once more never to beat anyone or anything again for as long as I lived.

Later in the morning I woke feeling others in the room; I opened my eyes to see Robbie and his aunt and uncle.

Mrs. Randall looked as Cathy would look at her age, though perhaps not as beautiful; her golden-red hair had begun to fade at her temples but her eyes held the colors of pine trees, green with points of amber in their centers. I looked up at her, wondering what she must be thinking of me; but her face was only kindness as she came forward.

"Jessie, dear," she said. Robbie and his uncle stood near the foot of the bed. Her eyes searched my face, taking in the injury and the ravages of my ordeal. "Gentlemen, please leave us," she said.

Robbie and his uncle went from the room. Rabbit pulled back the sheet.

It had been two full days since my mother's attack on me; three since the assault upon me by the servants. Black marks stood out vividly on my legs and arms where their fingers had gripped me; the stripes my mother had given me were beginning to darken to purple. I knew that I looked ghastly; I did not look up at Mrs. Randall.

"Rabbit, help her turn that I may see her back," she said.

Rabbit took my hand and as she gently drew my arm around I turned with it, and Mrs. Randall moved my shift to look at my back. She did not speak. Rabbit eased me back and drew the sheet up again. At last I looked into Mrs. Randall's face. Her eyes were as serene as ever, but her lips were pressed together so tightly that they were almost white.

She gazed away from me for a long moment. I continued to look up at her, afraid to speak. She finally turned back to me and said, "Besides your injuries, have you any pain?"

I did not fully understand her, but I shook my head.

"No pain at all in your belly?" she asked. "No bleeding?"

My face grew hot. Had Robbie told them all? I was afraid to answer.

"Robbie has told us of the child," she said.

I felt the color drain away from my face. I drew in my breath and answered her. "Oh.

No, madam, there is no pain nor bleeding. I believe my child is well-seated."