This next kiss was soft. His words against my throat felt like flames.
Elated with hope, you no longer mourn,
My soul expands, each grateful touch of you, your bosom burns,
While in my hands our pleasures we behold
The silken reins, you shine supreme.
His voice wrapped about me. His nimble fingers undid me, my ribbons.
“More Wheatley, Daniel?”
“Technically, yes, but a little of my words.”
“I suppose this means you like me.”
“Um. Yes, Jemina.”
A second kiss took hold, followed by a third.
Then he stopped. He seemed hesitant.
A first time, a first memory with a man I felt so much for, who I mostly loved and definitely wanted, shouldn’t fill me with nerves. Nor should it cause my husband to withdraw. “Be with me, Daniel.”
I stood on tiptoes to encourage him.
But he lifted his head. His eyes had lost their sparkle. The heat of his body went away. “That’s Hope. She’s crying.”
My hands fell to the footboard. I finally heard her screams over my heart. “Yes.”
Daniel was out the door almost as fast as me. He caught me at the nursery.
Hope’s scream echoed. “Mama! Mama, the water!”
I reached out to her, but my vision blackened. My feet were on theMinerva. I tried to hold on to the mast, tried to keep our heads above the water. Ours. My baby and mine.
“I’m here, Hope.”
That was Daniel’s voice.
“Your papa’s here.”
When I blinked, he had his daughter in his arms, bouncing her against his chest. “Hope, please. Wake up. You’re safe with me. Your papa’s here.”
I didn’t know what to do, but the words to my lullaby came from my insides. “ ‘Il était un petit navire. Il était un petit navire.’ ”
Hope reached over Daniel’s head. “Mama, save me. Get us from the water. Mama, please.”
My husband looked helpless, but he turned and put the little girl into my arms.
Snuggled against me with her toddler arms clutching my robe, Hope calmed. “Water’s everywhere. So dark. No let go.”
No let go?
My heart broke.
One glimpse at Daniel said his secret. Hope had been on theMinerva, too.
