White Water (46 page)
Authors: Pamela Oldfield
She sat down again and opened the letter once more, turning her back on the breeze so that it did not tear the page from her fingers.
‘ … what news of Beatrice? I trust the sickness does not still trouble her. Another child after so long. Mayhap ’twill be another girl … ’
Maria did not ask the question that must be uppermost in her mind, thought Felicity. When would she, Felicity, give Allan a child? It was to Maria’s credit that she did not ask. Felicity smiled. Soon she would write to Maria and tell her what she longed to hear. That their first child would be born in six months’ time, at the end of January. Even Allan did not know yet! Felicity had waited for the right moment.
‘I long to see the twins,’ Maria continued. ‘When they are a little older mayhap you will bring them to visit me — or I will come to Heron on some pretext. To arrange Piers’ betrothal, mayhap. Lucas … ’
Hastily she folded the letter. She did not want to remember that Lucas was still unwed. Poor Lucas — but surely he would wed in time. Deliberately she thought of Allan, of their nights together, of their tender loving moments during which their child had been conceived. Felicity had discovered a deep love for Allan and gradually he, too, had felt the stirrings of real love where before there had been only respect and affection. Now even their bodies were in harmony and the final seal was set on Allan’s happiness. But perhaps not the
final
seal. That would come with her news of the coming child. Faintly the echo of hoof-beats reached her and she stood up, folded the letter and walked towards the sound. As horse and rider rounded the hill, she saw Allan outlined against the sun and waved her hand.
‘Allan!’
He raised his hand in greeting and she knew instinctively that he smiled. She stood for a moment watching him as he drew nearer. Suddenly she glanced around. There was no one else in sight. She put her cupped hands to her mouth and shouted.
‘Allan Kendal! I love you, Allan Kendal!’
She heard his amused laughter. ‘And I have news for you, Allan Kendal!’ she whispered as, smiling, she gathered up her skirts, and ran towards him.
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