“Theodosia?” Lillian said. “Is something the matter?”
Quickly, Theodosia feigned a smile and reached out to caress Lillian’s cheek. “I may not look my best, Lillian, but you certainly do. You have finally put on some weight and look better than I have ever seen you.”
Lillian looked at her husband. “Shall we tell her, Upton?”
“Yes.” Upton put his arm around Lillian’s shoulder. “Theodosia, we have exciting tidings to share with you.”
Lillian laid Theodosia’s hand over her lower belly. “I am with child, darling, and am well past the first trimester. Indeed, I have almost reached my fifth month. All four physicians who have examined me believe that I will give birth to a healthy baby.”
The moment Lillian’s announcement registered in her mind, Theodosia felt as though the world had been turned upside down. Off balance both physically and mentally, she felt her legs weaken.
“Upton!” Lillian shouted.
He caught Theodosia just as she began to slip to the floor and helped her to the small wooden bench near the window. “Bring some water, Lillian,” he said, patting Theodosia’s alabaster cheek.
Lillian rushed to get the water. “Theodosia, forgive me,” she gushed. “But I had no idea that our news would give you such a shock. I’m profoundly sorry to have given it to you so suddenly.”
Theodosia watched Lillian’s lips move, but her sister’s voice sounded as if it were coming from a hundred miles away.
Lillian and Upton did not need the child she carried.
The realization tightened around her like a thick rope, at first choking her with disbelief, then suffocating her with overwhelming despair.
Escape, she thought desperately. She had to escape Lillian and Upton. The house. Her own stunned emotions.
She had to think. Alone. Outside. Yes, outside.
Oh, God, what was she going to do?
“Theodosia?” Upton murmured, holding the glass of water to her mouth. “Drink a bit, my dear.”
She did as bade and, with much effort, forced herself to appear in perfect control. “Your news has astonished me. I am thrilled for you. Truly thrilled. But I fear that my excitement has taken a toll on me, and I feel the need for—”
“Of course, Theodosia, darling,” Lillian blurted. “You must lie down and rest. After a nap, you will feel—”
“I would rather walk outside first, Lillian,” Theodosia protested. “After a bit of fresh air, I will rest.”
Lillian nodded. “I shall accompany you,” she said, then turned to cross the room and fetch her outerwear.
“Oh, no, you will not,” Upton said, catching his wife’s hand. “You will nap while Theodosia walks. Then when she returns to rest, you will have sufficient energy to fuss over her, which I know full well you will do. You must think of the baby, Lillian. Go along, Theodosia, but don’t venture far, and don’t tarry. It will soon be dark.”
Grateful for his intervention, she left quickly and, once outside, hurried away from the house. Following the road that led out of town, she passed the area where the country fair had been held. Only a few people remained there, disassembling booths and loading livestock back into wooden crates.
Paying little attention to her surroundings or where she was going, she continued down the soft dirt road, rounded a sharp curve, and soon came to an empty pasture. Masses of dead brush, clusters of large jagged rocks, and scraggly cedars scattered the deserted field. Near an old and dilapidated shed, a flock of sea gulls screamed and fought over a small dead animal.
Theodosia welcomed the ugliness of the landscape. Bending, she slipped between two fence rails and ram into the pasture.
She stopped beside a group of the craggy rocks and leaned into them. They pressed into her, and they hurt.
But not as much as her heart.
She thought of the child Lillian carried. The babe would be blessed with both parents and a warm and loving home.
She thought of Roman and the child they’d created together.
I want my baby, Theodosia!
His words screamed through her.
