Josephine placed the cloth back in the basin then filled a cup with cold water. Helping Laurin sit up to drink, she encouraged her to sip slowly.
“Sister of my heart, I cannot tell you how happy I am to see you awake and without the fever.”
Laurin smiled and thanked her. Falling back against her pillows, she asked, “The Gladius?”
“’ Tis safe with Graeme. And it will remain in his possession until we have a daughter of our own.”
Laurin envied her friend, but not with spite or malice. “I be so verra glad that ye have found true love,” she told her.
Josephine returned her smile, leaned in closely to whisper in her ear. “If you open your eyes and your heart , I believe you will discover you have found it as well.”
Confused, her brow knotted. “What do ye mean?”
Josephine pressed a tender kiss to her forehead. “Look about the room, my sister, and you will find I speak the truth.”
Laurin looked at Albert with a confounded expression.
Josephine whispered one last thought before quitting the room. “He never left your side.

Suzan Tisdale