Page 27 of Murder on the SS Leviathan
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The knocking on her window jolted Cecile awake.
It was still dark; the middle of the night.
Lucrezia rushed inside as the door unlocked. ‘Did you not hear me banging? You sleep like the dead,cara!’
‘What is it? What’s the matter?’ Cecile’s mind raced through the many awful things that might have happened. ‘Tell me, Lucrezia! Is someone…’
‘Calm yourself.’ Lucrezia grasped Cecile by the shoulders. ‘Maud fell. She is not badly injured, but Mr. Robinson went for the doctor. It seems her ankle is only a little turned, but there is the matter of the baby…’
‘I must go to them.’ Whirling about, Cecile began looking for her dressing gown and slippers.
‘No,cara.’ Lucrezia stayed her arm. ‘Let them be alone. If all does not go well this night, better to let Henry comfort his wife without feeling he must have the brave face for you.’
Letting out a long breath, Cecile went to sit on the chaise. ‘You’re right. I’ll wait until morning.’
Nodding her approval, Lucrezia sat beside. ‘I summoned Claudette when I heard, to fetch tea and whisky. I tell her to remain close, in case she is needed. She sleeps in my room tonight and so I must ask if I may stay here with you.’
‘Stay? Yes, of course. It was kind of you to think of it.’
’Grazie,piccola.’ Lucrezia placed a kiss on Cecile’s forehead. ‘And do not worry too badly. All will be well. There is love between your brother and his wife. No matter what happens, they have each other.’
That was true. Cecile was aware of the strong bond between them; a connection she did not fully understand, but which she respected.
Going through to the bedroom, she and Lucrezia made themselves warm beneath the covers. At Scogliera, they’d often lain side by side, whispering their secret thoughts before falling asleep.
Lucrezia turned on her side. ‘I’m unsure your sister-in-law is so happy about the baby. Perhaps, it will not be so bad if she loses it. I wonder, even, if she fell on purpose.’
‘Lucrezia! Don’t say such things! Of course Maud wants her child.’
‘Some women are not meant for this.’ Lucrezia sighed and shifted position. ‘Myself, for instance. I do not think I shall have them, nor be a wife to any man.’
‘You can’t know that, Lucrezia. Your feelings might change.’ It was a conversation they’d had many times before, and Cecile usually avoided contradicting her friend.
Perhaps, it would be as Lucrezia said, but one never knew. If the right person were to enter one’s life…someone you couldn’t bear to let go…
‘But, I do.’ Lucrezia’s whisper grew more emphatic. ‘We have our freedom as we never would as a man’s possession. I knew enough of that in Scogliera. Why would I allow my liberty to be taken from me again?’
‘For love?’ In the dark, the word hung between them.
Lucrezia didn’t answer immediately, but Cecile could hear her breathing.
At last, she said, ‘To care for someone and wish only their happiness, yes? If this is ‘love’ then I have it already, for this is my feeling for you—and you feel the same,cara?
‘Yes, of course.’ Finding Lucrezia’s hand, Cecile placed her own over it.
And yet, some corner of her heart was fearful. Lucrezia was a dear friend, but she lacked patience. She was easily bored. Mightn’t she, one day, outgrow their friendship?
Back in London, Cecile had thought she knew what she wanted: to see more of the world before settling down. What girlish notions she’d had—not only of becoming a woman of adventure, but of meeting someone who would understand that part of her.
Briefly, she’d dallied with the idea of marrying Lucrezia’s brother, of becoming his countess. How rudely she’d been woken to the folly of that dream.
‘Goodnight,piccola.’ Lucrezia draped her arm across Cecile’s waist.
It wasn’t long before her rhythmic breathing indicated she’d fallen asleep.
Cecile, meanwhile, lay awake.
