“He is awful, but I don’t want us at risk.”
Us, that was a word as good asfamily.
She put her palm to his heart. “And our home.”
“Pliny the Elder is attributed to saying home being where the heart is.”
“Don’t know who that is, but I don’t need to. Daniel, I just know I love you.”
He released her chignon, letting her curls falling down about them. “I love you, more. Nothing will break us, Jemina.”
“I’m glad I only remember you. You’re the only one in my soul, Daniel, only you.”
That was more to his liking.
To shield your poet from the burning day:
. . . fan the pleasing fire.
The bow’rs, the gales, the variegated skies
In all my pleasures in your bosom rise.
“I tweaked the last line a bit for you and only you. It’s a jumble of words about gales and stormy skies. You were blown into my life, Jemina.”
“Daniel, I think I know what the poem means. You will share your pillow with me tonight.”
Propping up on his elbow, he rose up to greet her. “Welcome home.”
CHAPTER 58
JEMINA—NOBETTERPLACE
My husband held me in his arms for the first time in weeks. It seemed like an eternity had passed between us.
His whispers in my ear, of love, of hope, were not a consolation for not knowing everything about who I was.
It was the prize.
I’d won.
No penalties or past mistakes clung to my soul. I was whole. I found myself, a woman desired and loved for being me. Was there no greater treasure?
Daniel. Strong, patient Daniel, he was my mast in the storm, and I latched myself to him.
“ ‘His rising radiance drives the shades away,’ ” I said when I caught my breath.
His black eyes smoked with fire and flame. “Madame, have you been stealing my books?”
“If I can’t know me, I’d rather know all of you and your penchant for Phillis Wheatley. You have driven enough of the shadows away for me, Daniel, by being a light, a lamp to show me the way.”
“The way home, my love.” Fully grinning with the tiniest bit of his gap showing, he took my mouth. He tasted of Mrs. Gallick’s currant rolls.
“We will win, J. We will.”
“I’ve won already, Daniel.”
A kiss was a start. I needed to know that I hadn’t ruined us.
