"Where is Robbie?" he said.
"He has gone to the fort," I said. "I was taking a walk for the air. It's so pleasant here!" I said.
Kevin was still staring at me. "I must say, I am consumed with curiosity," he said.
"How did you persuade him?"
"Persuade him?" I said, meeting his eyes squarely. "He loves me, Kevin; I love him. I told you that I would marry him. We are meant to be together."
"Where are you staying?" he said.
"At the tavern," I answered. "I wanted to walk in the fresh air. Is it not pleasant here!"
"Indeed it is. I shall walk with you," he said. We started out together in the same direction I had begun, with his manservant Saul leading the horses.
"Perhaps we shall find Robbie on the way," I said.
"How did you find Orangeburg?" I asked as we walked, and he told me of the business he had conducted there for our father as we continued along the road toward the fort.
Inside the fort, the men straightened up as I passed by; murmurs preceded us and soon Robbie came out of one of the houses.
"Kevin!" he said, and clasped his hand. His face was tired; I wondered where he had slept. I didn't see Pete anywhere near.
"Good morning to you, madam," he said, bowing to me. "I trust you found your accommodations satisfactory."
"Yes, thank you," I said. "Where is Pete?"
"Pete is at the tavern stable with the wagon," he said. "I found him here last night. He met the McDonalds when he arrived yesterday and sent my letter on to the clan."
Kevin was staring at Robbie now.
"Jessie, we shall escort you back to the inn," said Robbie. "I have details to attend to regarding the remainder of our journey; perhaps Kevin will agree to assist me."
I spent the day at the tavern, resting in my room. Rabbit was restless; I sent her out to stay with Pete at the wagon. It was nearly dark when she came up to the room, saying that the young masters requesting that I join them at supper.
Rabbit helped me to dress in a linen gown. When she tightened my stays, the gown sagged; so she loosened the strings. Though the corset shifted about my waist when I moved, it pressed into my breasts. I draped a kerchief about my shoulders. Rabbit put up my hair. The glass in the room was very small; but I could see that my face was pale and my eyes shadowed. I tried to make my mind blank, for so many thoughts crowded there that I could not begin to sort them out. My nausea returned, my heart fluttered. Rabbit came down the stairs behind me.