Once the small thing went to sleep, I should call to Ashbrook or Mrs. Gallick.
Instead, I hooked my arm about her and went to sleep, silently sobbing, coveting the feel of her little warm body next to my bosom.
CHAPTER 29
DANIEL—AMBROSIA
’Twas too much for this night. Daniel tied his robe and hunted for his daughter.
That feeling that she was hurt or scared whipped through his horrible sleep. Now to find her missing from her crib was abominable.
Running from the nursery, he glanced at the stairs. Nothing. Nothing was below.
Then he heard noises.
Crying.
Not a child’s whimper, but a big girl.
A light spread from under the bedchamber adjoining his room.
He tapped lightly for show but barged inside.
Jemina lay propped up on pillows. Her finger was to her mouth silencing him.
Then he saw little Hope asleep in her arms. “I guess Hope chose the order, mother first.”
“What, Ashbrook? What did you say?”
“Nothing.” He played with the belt of his robe. “Hope had me fretting. She should be in her bed.”
“My lord, she’s fine.”
“We’re back to formalities, Jemina?”
She pushed back a curl from her cheek. He was right. Her loosed locks did reach her waist, those hips.
“If you’re going to lecture me about risks—”
“Why would I do that when you’re not given to listening?”
He moved to the footboard. “Lectures are the last thing on my mind. Your health and safety are everything.”
She blinked at him, and he hungered to know what she thought, what notions danced in her lively head. “Do you need anything?”
“I can’t move.”
He clutched the bedpost. “What? Do I need to get the doctor?”
“No. I meant I don’t want to disturb this little one. She’s sleeping good. How old is she?”
“Four in October.”
“Her balance?”
He bit his lip, then unbuttoned them. Hope’s hero needed to know. “She’s a little slow developing her balance, but she’s getting better.”
Her eyes were filled with tears. His throat clogged a little but he didn’t know how to move forward.
