Nostalgic

You do not intend to go out wearing only that?"

Deborah paused at the foot of the east staircase
hearing the rich voice behind her. She finished tying
the long, thin scarf that held back her unruly waves
and turned to face the dark-skinned woman standing in
the doorway of the breakfast room.

"I'm only going up to the greenhouse, Nailah.
I will not catch my death in that short length
of time." Deborah refastened the sash of her
dressing gown more securely while her friend
regarded her skeptically. Smiling, Deborah crossed
to the lovely woman and gave her a hug. "I did not
ask you here to look after me," she said. "You are
here to pursue your own pleasures without obligation."

Nailah pushed her intricately woven braids back from
her shoulder and frowned up at Deborah. "We have been
friends too long for me not to worry about you. It is
still misting and you will be soaked through by the
time you reach the south hill."