“Not at all. I’m not, either. I was just having a good, deep sleep. Need to freshen up a bit.”
“I will tell him it will be a few moments then.”
Abigail staggered over to the washstand and splashed the cool water on her face. It took a few doses of that to make her feel more awake. Drying her face, she then cleaned her teeth. What she really needed was a good night’s sleep.
After a quick brushing of her hair, she tied it back with a ribbon and smoothed down her skirts then began to make her way down the stairs. She walked into the parlor and saw Betsy sitting in the far corner of the room with her children. Mrs. Beaton was getting sneaky about chaperones, she decided, then smiled at Matthew.
“They were in here when Mrs. Beaton sent me in,” he said quietly as he bent to gently kiss her cheek.
“Chaperones. The woman is very good at sneaking one or more in. Very devious.”
He laughed softly. “Shall we go for a stroll then, Abbie?”
“That would be very pleasant, Lieutenant MacEnroy. I will just get my coat.”
Matthew gave Betsy a quick smile while he watched Abbie in the hallway put on her coat and the woman grinned and winked at him. “Nice to see ye again, ma’am. How is your husband?”
“He is doing just fine, sir. The wounds are healing beautifully.”
“Abbie is verra good at tending wounds.”
“She certainly is.”
Abbie was just buttoning her coat up and talking softly with Rose when he stepped out into the hall. He moved to stand beside her and wondered about the reason behind the deep serious looks both women wore. Something was still not right at the Beaton house.
“Oh, it looks to be a lovely day. This coat may be more than I need,” said Abbie as they went down the front steps.
“I believe I would not be put to the test too hard if I had to carry it for you.” He smiled when she laughed.
“It is good to get out of there for a little while.”
He took her arm and they started walking. “Is Julia still causing problems?”
“I fear so. It would be too easy to get angry with her except I know it is because she is not really well. I had hoped the baby would pull her free of what ailed her, but it does not seem to have accomplished that. Last night she took that newborn baby out to his father’s grave. She didn’t even get dressed or wrap the child in extra blankets. Just stepped out of bed, picked up the child, and went. If I had not tied a bell to the door, I fear we may have found both dead on his grave.”
“It might just take her a wee time to shake free of the grief.”
“That is what I am hoping. Just some time and then the child will reach her and she will slowly stop seeing Robert everywhere and talking to him and see his son instead.”
“She sees and talks to Robert?”
“I fear so.” Abbie sighed. “It is why I have Rose keeping a watch over her while I am out.”
Seeing no one else out, he put his arm around her shoulders and tugged her up against his side. “It will pass. Grief is an odd thing. Some soldiers get through it just fine and it can actually break some but, I think, most are someplace in the middle of that.”
“If she would just inch into the middle it would help. Where are we going? This is a new direction for us.”
“We are going to the riverside. One of the men put up a rough bench so he could sit and watch it. Said it soothed him. I thought it might help ye.”
“Oh. It just might although I had not thought myself too uneasy.” She thought about it for a minute. “I might be though. I worry about the child.”
“Only right. A bairn that small cannae do anything to help himself.”
As they walked down a small slope away from the road, she saw the river and smiled. It was not a soothing sight at the moment since it was swollen from melting snow and all the rain they had had lately, but the sound of the water rushing over the stony riverbed was calming in an odd way. She sat on the bench after checking on the roughness of the seat and then looked out and sighed. Even if she found no ease in the rushing water, the forest on the opposite bank was pleasant to watch.
“It is a bit fast and loud today,” Matthew said as he sat beside her.
“Yet strangely fascinating, but the trees opposite are very soothing. Peaceful and green, with the promise of better weather.”
Matthew smiled faintly. He had been concerned when he saw the state of the river for relaxing was not something one could do near such a torrent. Yet she found something to slowly wash away the tension he had sensed in her. He put his arm around her and pulled her closer, pleased when she rested her head on his shoulder.
Glancing behind him he saw that the back of the bench had been made smooth so he leaned back taking her with him. He had not had any plan for being with her today except to get her away from the demands of Julia, but he was beginning to get a few ideas. He grinned and kissed her cheek.
“Are you certain it is safe out here?” she asked, looking around.
“We have found no sign of the Rebs or the marauders in days,” he answered, and turned to pull her into his arms then kissed her.
Abbie relaxed into his kiss, returning it with all the desire she felt for the man. It was dangerous, a voice whispered in her mind, reminding her of the situation Julia was now in, but Abbie ignored it. There were times when one just had to roll the dice and pray for the best outcome.
Matthew pulled her onto his lap, positioning her so that she straddled him. When she rubbed against him, he growled out his approval. Kissing her throat, he slid his hand beneath her skirts so he could stroke her. When she gasped softly he kissed her again. Her arms tightened around his neck and he felt her damp heat against his fingers.
Fighting to control his rapidly mounting need he undid her bodice and kissed the gentle swell of her breasts. He gave a little start of surprise when he felt her slender fingers undo his coat and shirt. She ran her fingers over his chest and he was surprised by how much that tentative, innocent touch fired his blood.
When Abigail kissed him, he freed himself from his pants and clasped her by the hips. For a moment the feel of her heat against his skin was enough, but that satisfaction quickly grew into a greedy hunger. He lifted her up a little and settled her over him then, keeping in mind that she was still a novice, slowly joined their bodies.