He nodded and looked over at the child who was being passed around. When no further questions came, Abbie decided it was time to go and relieve Matthew. He had been kind to take watch over the children, but she suspected his patience might be waning after so long. She walked over to the parlor.
Abbie took one step into the room and stopped. Matthew sat on the settee laughing while Mary promenaded around in his hat. A boy sat on each side of him, also laughing. He appeared to be quite content where he was.
“Ah, Abbie,” he said as he turned toward her and smiled. “Is Julia a mother now?”
“Yes.” She started toward him as she ran her hand through her hair. “It went well, as far as I can tell.” Peter moved so Abbie sat down next to Matthew.
“Tired?”
“To the bone.” She noticed the children talking to each other and then they started toward the door. “Where are you going?”
“To see the baby,” replied Peter.
“Don’t get underfoot.”
“We’ll be careful,” said Sam. “Are you going to read us a story in a while?”
Even though she just wanted to go and crawl into bed, Abbie said, “Yes, so go to your room and be ready after you see the baby.”
When they left, she sighed and leaned against the settee back. “I guess I must read a story soon.”
“Can someone else not do it? You need to get some rest.”
“If they can, they will offer as I leave to go up the stairs, but I suspect it will be me. Maude is out with your major and Rose is just as tired as I am and probably already in bed.”
He put his arm around her and let her rest against his chest. “Is Julia truly well?”
“The birth was fine but I think she is still well, unwell in her mind.”
“Ah, so you are still keeping a watch over her.”
“I am, but not as closely as before.” She started to close her eyes and sat up quickly. “No, that was too comfortable and I will fall asleep. I think I will go collect the baby, read the story, and find my bed. I am hoping Julia has a restful night.” She kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you for keeping the young ones busy.”
He stood up and helped her to her feet. “I did not do too well in keeping Noah corralled.”
“I doubt anyone could successfully manage that.”
He bent to kiss her and idly wondered if she knew how completely exhausted she looked. “I will come around sometime tomorrow.”
“I will see you then,” she mumbled as she left the room and headed to the sitting room.
Matthew picked up his hat from where Mary had tossed it and left. If she was not rested when he came tomorrow, he would see to it that she got away from this house and to somewhere she could actually get a good sleep. He grinned. It was an odd thing for him to want to get her alone for.
* * *
Abbie put the sleeping baby into the small crib Betsy had loaned them before they had come to stay with Mrs. Beaton for a while and then went to the children’s room. She did her best to read them a story and was relieved when they all looked more than ready to go to sleep as she got up to leave. She only went a few steps when her skirt pulled at her and she turned back to find that Noah had grabbed hold of it.
“What is it, Noah?” she asked softly as she went to his bedside.
“Are you going to keep a watch on the baby?”
“Yes, until his mother can do so.”
“Good.” He let go of her skirt and closed his eyes. “He needs to be watched because I don’t want him to be shot like my baby sister was.”
Abbie sighed, reached out to brush the hair from his forehead, then went to find her own bed. She did not even want to know how his baby sister had died. She had had enough of sad stories. Despite her effort to put it all from her mind, she did feel a surge of pity for Noah. The boy had seen too much, lost too much.
So had Julia, she decided as she checked the woman to be certain she still slept deeply. The woman had not had a particularly difficult birth, but it had been enough to put her to sleep for what Abigail prayed would be a full, long night. She undressed and crawled into bed after tying a small bell she had found to the door. Just in case, she told herself as she lay down and closed her eyes.
