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I met her serious gaze with one of my own. “Of course. Mama,” I said hesitantly. “Do you think it possible Henry also has the gift? Or a similar one?”
She took a deep breath. “I could not say. He was never a sickly child, but he has always had you.”
“Yes,” I said thoughtfully, “but he did have a few colds when he was a baby. I was not allowed to touch him so he would grow strong, remember?”
“Yes, yes. Well, we shall see what Robin says before we make any judgments. Perhaps Henry is only sensitive.”
I thought about that as we made our way down the stairs. It could be possible. Henry had always been the most sensitive of all my brothers. He always seemed to know who was upset and in need of comfort, or who was nervous or scared. Mother left to fetch Robin and I popped into the kitchen. We would know soon enough.
Cook had indeed saved me a large meal and I tucked in with gusto, knowing I would need it for the day ahead—both to heal Jane and to weather Miss Bingley and her unpleasantness. I was halfway through my meal when Robin bounded into the dining room and sat down beside me.
“Mama said I was to come and see you,” he said.
He was so guileless. I hoped he never changed. “Yes, I wanted to ask you something.”
“What?”
I reached out and touched him. “Do you feel anything when I touch you?”
He looked at me as if I were stupid. “Of course, Lizzy. I feel you touching me.”
I smiled. “I know that. I meant, do you feel anything else? Any other sensations?”
“What sort of sensations?”
I shrugged. “Like when you are running on the carpet and then you touch something.”
“Like a shock?”
“Yes, but it might not be that. It could be something else.”
He looked thoughtful, then reached out and touched my arm. “No, I do not feel a shock. I only feel you.”
I breathed a sigh of relief.
“Why are you so hot, Lizzy?”
“What do you mean?”
“You are always warm when I touch you.”
“You are warm as well.”
“But you are hotter than everyone else. Is it because you eat so much?”
I choked on my carrots.
Robin slapped my back as I coughed. “Are you all right?”
“Yes, I am well, thank you. It went down wrong, that is all.”
He accepted that answer and reached for a piece of bread from the basket set in the center of the table.
“Robin,” I said carefully, “do you notice anything else about me besides that I am hot?”
“You are very strong,” he said before shoving another bite of bread in his mouth.
“How do you mean? Because I can pick you up?”
