explained as she allowed the black and white Ann to feed first. Pulling up her stool, Sara patted the lean flank of her sweet Ann and rested her cool cheek against the warmth. Grasping two teats, Sara worked the milk into the bucket.
Day dreaming of her child and thinking of names, Sara was surprised to discover that the bucket was full and the utter empty of milk. Ann lifted her back leg in anticipation of her release. Unhooking Ann, Sara tied Gail to the oat trough before opening the back door latch and letting Ann out to graze. Gail lacked the patience of her partner, so Sara worked quickly to accommodate. Filling the bucket and untying the young cow, Sara issued her from the stable. “I’ll be back this afternoon,” Sara promised and headed back to her heavy buckets of milk.
Each week, the lugging of extra weight became more difficult. Thus far, her pregnancy had not been overly burdensome but Sara resented not being as physically capable as she was accustomed. Her progress across the yard was slow. Sara had to stop twice to rest her arms and straighten her back. Her back was contracting in weird twinges. Rubbing the lower portion, Sara again picked up the buckets and proceeded to the back door of the kitchen.
Both Sara and Adam were within, preparing the breakfast and gossiping, “She got the eggs, Adam. Did ye not hear what I said? What do ye suppose that means? He couldn’t have hurt her or anything, but do ye suppose she is avoiding his company?”
“Millie, I suppose I will keep my thoughts to myself about the lord and lady. She got the eggs, now hush up and be grateful about it. I am happy to not have to milk those pushy cows this morning. If the stars be so aligned, mayhap she was inclined to feed and rub down the horses as well.”
“Not so, Adam. I milked the cows, but the horses are up to thee.” Grimacing, Sara set the buckets on the kitchen floor and shuffled to lean over the small chair at the servant’s table.
“Art thou well, My Lady?” Millie asked anxiously.
“Oh, I am fine, Millie. My back hurts a bit, but I suppose tis to be expected.”
“Aye,” Millie offered suspiciously. “Thou must let me know if the pain worsens, though, Lass. Ye never know when the baby might be ready to be born. Sometimes they come early.”
“I doubt it, Millie,” Sara said, her heart racing at the thought. She was not prepared to face child bed quite yet. “I will wake Hannah. She is normally up by now.”
“She has been up and out to the creek to gather water.”
“I will go and meet her, then,” Sara returned. “Perhaps walking will help my back to feel better. I must have slept on it the wrong way.”
“Mayhap,” Millie returned, eyeing her young mistress knowingly.
Sara disliked the observant gaze. Stepping out into the pale sunshine, Sara took great gulps of brisk air and set a steady pace to the stream. She was avoiding her new husband, and she knew this. Twas normal to need some time to adjust, she assumed. It took her several weeks to adjust to her first marriage. This time might take even longer, as she did not know this man she had married.
Making her way closer to the stream, Sara noted a discord to the sounds about her. Birds squawked, and a scuffling sound issued from the saplings shooting up about the creek. Sara rushed up, concerned for Hannah’s welfare. There, two men had Hannah by the arms, dragging her across the stream. Her mouth was gagged, and her eyes were open, wild with fear.
“Hannah!” Sara screamed in horror. “Hannah! My God, someone help! Adam! Gavin, help!” Sara picked up a stone to throw at Hannah’s captors but stilled herself, fearful she might harm her child. “Stop, by God. Leave her be!” She screamed at the men. One man handed the struggling bundle of Hannah to the other and began to cross the creek towards Sara.
Sara knew she had to run. Turning, she picked up her skirts and ran screaming in direction of the kitchens. About thirty yards off,
Day dreaming of her child and thinking of names, Sara was surprised to discover that the bucket was full and the utter empty of milk. Ann lifted her back leg in anticipation of her release. Unhooking Ann, Sara tied Gail to the oat trough before opening the back door latch and letting Ann out to graze. Gail lacked the patience of her partner, so Sara worked quickly to accommodate. Filling the bucket and untying the young cow, Sara issued her from the stable. “I’ll be back this afternoon,” Sara promised and headed back to her heavy buckets of milk.
Each week, the lugging of extra weight became more difficult. Thus far, her pregnancy had not been overly burdensome but Sara resented not being as physically capable as she was accustomed. Her progress across the yard was slow. Sara had to stop twice to rest her arms and straighten her back. Her back was contracting in weird twinges. Rubbing the lower portion, Sara again picked up the buckets and proceeded to the back door of the kitchen.
Both Sara and Adam were within, preparing the breakfast and gossiping, “She got the eggs, Adam. Did ye not hear what I said? What do ye suppose that means? He couldn’t have hurt her or anything, but do ye suppose she is avoiding his company?”
“Millie, I suppose I will keep my thoughts to myself about the lord and lady. She got the eggs, now hush up and be grateful about it. I am happy to not have to milk those pushy cows this morning. If the stars be so aligned, mayhap she was inclined to feed and rub down the horses as well.”
“Not so, Adam. I milked the cows, but the horses are up to thee.” Grimacing, Sara set the buckets on the kitchen floor and shuffled to lean over the small chair at the servant’s table.
“Art thou well, My Lady?” Millie asked anxiously.
“Oh, I am fine, Millie. My back hurts a bit, but I suppose tis to be expected.”
“Aye,” Millie offered suspiciously. “Thou must let me know if the pain worsens, though, Lass. Ye never know when the baby might be ready to be born. Sometimes they come early.”
“I doubt it, Millie,” Sara said, her heart racing at the thought. She was not prepared to face child bed quite yet. “I will wake Hannah. She is normally up by now.”
“She has been up and out to the creek to gather water.”
“I will go and meet her, then,” Sara returned. “Perhaps walking will help my back to feel better. I must have slept on it the wrong way.”
“Mayhap,” Millie returned, eyeing her young mistress knowingly.
Sara disliked the observant gaze. Stepping out into the pale sunshine, Sara took great gulps of brisk air and set a steady pace to the stream. She was avoiding her new husband, and she knew this. Twas normal to need some time to adjust, she assumed. It took her several weeks to adjust to her first marriage. This time might take even longer, as she did not know this man she had married.
Making her way closer to the stream, Sara noted a discord to the sounds about her. Birds squawked, and a scuffling sound issued from the saplings shooting up about the creek. Sara rushed up, concerned for Hannah’s welfare. There, two men had Hannah by the arms, dragging her across the stream. Her mouth was gagged, and her eyes were open, wild with fear.
“Hannah!” Sara screamed in horror. “Hannah! My God, someone help! Adam! Gavin, help!” Sara picked up a stone to throw at Hannah’s captors but stilled herself, fearful she might harm her child. “Stop, by God. Leave her be!” She screamed at the men. One man handed the struggling bundle of Hannah to the other and began to cross the creek towards Sara.
Sara knew she had to run. Turning, she picked up her skirts and ran screaming in direction of the kitchens. About thirty yards off,
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