"Yes, madam," I said, turning toward her.
She walked to the window. "What a delightful day!" she said. "The weather is perfect."
"Yes, indeed," I said, smiling at her. "How fortunate we are."
She looked at me. "Jessie, I do not wish to take liberties, but I feel it is my duty to warn you to take care tonight at the ball. I realize that I am not your mother; but as your mother is no longer with us, and I feel that Robbie is my own child, I-I hope you will not think me presumptuous when I tell you that I think of you as my daughter, and I would not have you exert yourself excessively so soon after your illness."
I felt my tears well afresh, but they were tears of gratitude. "Madam-you are most gracious," I said.
She patted my arm. "Though I must say, you appear completely recovered. You look quite lovely, dear."
"Thank you, madam," I said. "I shall rest between dances."
"Good." She smiled and suddenly kissed me quickly on the cheek. "I must attend to the servants. Please, do not forget to eat, Jessie."
"No, madam," I said.
She went down the stairs. I could hear laughter from the drawing room below. Over my gratitude and happiness at Mrs. Randall's words, I felt the pain of Robbie's taunting well up into my throat. In spite of our marriage, in spite of the bairn I had lost, he still thought of me as a child, a playmate to tease and torment. I was nothing but an instrument of amusement to him.
August appeared serendipitously and put her arm around my waist, and saying, "Good morning, Jessie dear! How well you look!"
I tossed my head and laughed, refusing to allow myself any more tears. "Good morning, dear friend! Shall we don our cloaks and take a stroll on the lawn? The day is quite fine!"
"A most welcome suggestion," she said, and we went downstairs together.
I did not see Robbie again that day. Guests continued to arrive through the afternoon; we ate of the pork and venison and other good things that were served from tables on the lawn, and later went upstairs to rest before dressing for the ball. I awoke from my nap feeling quite refreshed and happy. The house echoed with voices and laughter and I almost danced down the stairs. I was startled when Robbie appeared from beneath me.