Chapter 43

• I found Angelica with Hamund and Liliana. They were in the garden talking on the grass. Angelica was trying to explain things to Liliana without confusing her with worry. Hamund was not far from his mother these last few days. He sensed his mother's need of him. He was more right than he knew.
• Liliana jumped up when she saw me and ran into my arms. I lifted her to sit on my hip, her favorite place to ride. "Mother was telling us about Douderson," she said excitedly. "She said we may visit there soon." I smiled at her happiness.
• "Yes, I do think you may, my love," I responded. I received a kiss on the cheek for my agreement. No different than any other I had ever received from her, but this time it held more pleasure. I hugged her close and smothered her face with kisses. I felt my eyes watering, and pulled it back into myself and smiled as I brought Liliana back to the meeting on the grass.