"Oh, he thinks I am bad... Wait until he does see ye face to face, ma. And if ye bludgeon him tae death with that powerful swing o' yers, not only would I make sure yer prison cell is well appointed, but I'd stay with ye if I could. I love ye." She said this, and her mother would probably be able to see the truth shining in her dark eyes. She had grown up fast since this began, she'd taken the brunt of the hurts the world had to give to her for the situation not entirely of her making. It was sad that the men of the world could get away with lifting all the skirts they could, but heaven forbid a woman act with lust.

Jacob gave a great yawn and snuggled into his grandmother, ever comfortable in her presence. He loved her, and Ruth was trying not to grin over the rim of her tea cup at the sight that softened her mother's face with joy. Jacob was going to be a good lad, and he was proving to be quite smart. And she thought about the way he adored Edward... almost as much as she did. Then her eyes kind of went blank as thoughts of his face interrupted her conversation. She thought of every beloved line, the stray lock of hair, the frazzled appearance of a scientific man. Not only did she adore him, but her heart was starting to beat for him alone. Angus never made her feel the butterflies that Edward gave to her.

This wouldn't do, she straightened her spine and looked down. "Ma, there's somethin' I should tell ye. I think I am fallin' in love truly this time, but I..." she paused, her voice having cracked, "I have no business lovin' anyone right now, let alone Mister Blackwood." She set the cup down, then covered her face, and a true sob shook her frame, "I love him so, and I shouldn't, and I don't know how to stop, ma. He doesn't know and I... I don't tell him, and I try ta stay away, but he will only eat if I am there, or come out of his thoughts with me, and he only ever treats me with kindness and respect, and... god, he is so smart and... I love everything about him, especially how he looks at me boy as if he loves him as much as I do. And I can't tell him cause it ain't proper, especially me about to divorce me husband."