When he slowly left her Abbie became all too aware of what they had just done. She hastily pulled and tugged at her clothes to make sure everything was covered when he moved to the side. Her first clear thought was: What did someone say afterward? Should she politely thank him or yell at him and leave? Then he brushed a kiss over her mouth. Moving her hands, he carefully redid the buttons on her bodice.
“Abbie?” he said softly.
“What?” she asked as she searched out her drawers and tried desperately to put them on again without exposing herself.
He put his arm around her and gently kissed her on the forehead. “I cannae tell if ye are just embarrassed or upset with me.”
She rested her head against his shoulder. “Neither can I.” She smiled faintly when he laughed. “I just didn’t know what one says afterward or if one says anything.”
“I have no idea. Interesting thought. Compliments?”
“About what? None of the things that happened are things I can speak about.”
“Of course.”
“And how could I give compliments? You must have guessed I have never done this before.”
“Um, yes, I noticed.”
“Lieutenant? Miss Jenson?”
“Oh no, not again,” Abbie groaned, and thumped her forehead against his chest.
“That you, Mabel?”
“Yes, miss. I was sent to tell you that Julia, well, it is time.”
“Time for what?”
“The baby, miss. She is having the baby.”
“Oh no! I will be right there.” Abbie hastily checked her clothes and decided they were in relatively good shape, then began to dig around for the ribbon she had had tied in her hair.
“Here,” Matthew said, and waved the ribbon in front of her face. “And may I suggest ye cease to act so guilty if ye dinnae want anyone asking questions.”
“I was not acting guilty.” She quickly tied her hair back and reached for her coat.
“Oh, aye, ye were.” He stood up when she did and yanked her into his arms to give her a hard kiss. “I will speak with ye later so think on some compliments.” He grinned at the sound of annoyance she made before hurrying off with Mabel.
As he picked up things and put the wineglasses away, he decided to check and see if the family had left any children’s books behind. Walking up the stairs he looked around and approved of the woodwork even as he looked for a child’s room. Finding one at last he searched it and found three little books; in another he found a big book that had a collection of tales. Satisfied, he carried them back downstairs and put them in his bag before continuing to clean up.
They would not come back to this place, he decided. Being found here twice was enough. If he got another chance to get Abbie alone he did not want to fear an interruption. He hoped all went well for Julia. Robert had been a good man. He deserved to have his child grow up straight and proud.
He stepped outside and scowled up at the sky. A raindrop hit him in the face and he started to run. He hoped Abbie got home before this, and a quick glance at the Beaton house as he rushed by reassured him. If Abbie was still out the light would be on. All he had to do was get himself inside. When the skies opened and the rain began to pour down he ducked into the infirmary. Maybe he would visit with Boyd again.
Chapter Nine
“Julia has gone somewhere.”
Abigail looked up at Maude and frowned. “Where? I thought she had started her labor and that was why I was fetched.”
“None of us knows and she spoke to no one so we have no idea.”
For a moment, Abbie thought about where Julia would go. The woman had been so sunk in her grief for the last three days it was hard to think she had anyone she wanted to visit or even that she may have gone for a walk. All Julia wanted to do at the moment was lie in bed and cry and her labor beginning had not lessened that at all. It was an effort to get her up and move or to eat for the sake of the child she carried. Then Abigail suddenly knew exactly where Julia had gone, despite the cold rain pouring from the sky.
“I have an idea of where she is,” Abbie said as she tossed her needlework aside and jumped up. “I thought I was having a nice break from her labor. Should have known better. Foolish girl has gone to Robert’s grave.”
“In this?” asked Mrs. Beaton as she stared out at the rain pouring down.
