Rabbit and I both stared at her.
"Yes, you shall take Rabbit with you," she repeated. "She was only learning to be a ladies' maid before Catherine was married; but she has been found to be a very competent healer. She will be there to help you with your lying in."
Rabbit's eyes were huge, her face frightened.
"Never fear, Rabbit; you shall do well!" said Mrs. Randall. "Do you not wish to serve Miss Jessie?"
"Oh, no, missus; I mean, yes, indeed, missus!" said Rabbit, ducking her head.
An immense feeling of gratitude overwhelmed me. "Mrs. Randall," I began, but she cut me off.
"It is the least that I can do for you, Jessie. I only pray that God will protect you and Robbie and bring you back to us when the time has passed, and the bairn with you."
I did not see Robbie that morning, nor was he at dinner; in the late afternoon I heard a horse and looked out to see him flying across the field, hatless, naked to the waist, toward the barns. I wondered what he was doing. My heart squeezed in me with longing for him. I was torn between my wish to stay at Brianag, and my need to be with Robbie. I lay down upon the bed and Rabbit sponged me with cool rosewater. Though I did not retch, the nausea was continuous.
I did not want to go to supper; but I could not bear to stay in my room. When I went downstairs, only Mr. Randall had come to the table. I wished to say something to him, at least a word of thanks; but I did not want to break the silence, so I said nothing, but sipped at the wine, stirred the food on my plate. We had retired to the drawing room when Robbie entered the back of the house and strode in.
He was dirty and disheveled, and he reeked of sweat. His lips were flattened with weariness; he looked as though he had spent the day gathering maize. I stared at him, wondering again what he had been doing.
He bowed to us. "Pray forgive my attire, madam," he said to me, and to Mr. Randall, "I believe all is ready, uncle."
Mr. Randall said, "Very good, Robbie. At what hour shall you depart?"
Robbie glanced at me. "As early as possible, sir, that we may travel before the heat grows extreme. We shall rest during midday."
"You show good judgment," said Mr. Randall.