Page 43 of A Sonata for the Fiery Lady
“Fear not, my child. I, too, have lost a babe this way. Come, we must get you out of bed and moving. It’s the fastest way to get this over with,” Signora Davone said, tears running down her cheeks as she helped Melisa to her feet. “Don’t look down, Lady Quinn. Just keep your eyes forward as we take you to the bath.”
Melisa sobbed the entire way down the hallway to the washroom where a small copper tub resided. It was quickly prepared with hot seawater from the cook’s stove, and as Signornias Gabrielle and Vivian came to assist their mother, the three ladies surrounded Melisa with their love and understanding as Melisa’s body miscarried.
The hot water helped to sooth the pain in Melisa’s body, and as Lord Stanton came to check on his daughter, bringing a bottle of brandy, the liquor then helped take away the rest of the pain, leaving Melisa in an exhausted state. For the longest time, Melisa simply listened to the comforting words of the other women around her. Signora Davone even washed her hair while the two ladies sang softly to Melisa, the beautiful Italian words helping Melisa to relax.
The bath was changed three times before the ladies agreed that the miscarriage had been completed. Though Melisa had been able to soak for many hours in the hot water, she still felt sore from the process. And as she stepped out of the bath for the last time and was dressed by her pupils, she was left feeling very empty inside.
“Now we shall walk to ensure your health, Lady Quinn,” Signora Davone said softly.
“I am so tired, though,” Melisa replied with her arm around the older woman.
“I know, my dear. But we must do this to make sure,” Signora Davone replied as Signornia Vivian came to Melisa’s other side and placed her arm around her waist, helping to support Melisa’s body.
“We’ll do this together,” Signornia Vivian said, fresh tears in her eyes. Melisa could only nod her head then as she allowed the women to lead her from the bath, down the hallway, and up onto the main deck.
The sun was setting after another long day at sea. The wind was breezy, a refreshing feeling to Melisa as she walked slowly across the deck. The last rays of sunlight fell over the ship, casting many shadows as night waited to set in. To Melisa, it was as though the sun was even mourning for her loss.
It seemed word had spread of her plight as many of the sailors stopped in their work to give Melisa their condolences. She could only nod her head in response, Signora Davone kind enough to accept their words on her behalf. After a time, they were joined by the men as Oliver, Lord Stanton, and Signore Davone approached the women.
Oliver didn’t say a word as he came to Melisa and wrapped his arms around her, taking her weight in his arms as the two women stepped aside. Melisa clung to him, unable to shed any more tears as her body felt completely dried up. Melisa felt her father’s hand on her shoulder then, and she turned her face to look at him, grief clearly on his face. For the first time in her life, Melisa went to her father with her own grief, wrapping her arms around the man and holding him tight.
“I’m so sorry, my dear,” Lord Stanton said as he held his daughter close, tears streaming down his cheeks. They stood together like that for a long time, till the lanterns had been lit on the main deck to allow the sailors to see during the night to watch over the ship.
Eventually, the Davone family bid Melisa and Oliver goodnight, saying they’d come to check on Melisa in the morning. Melisa thanked the Davone women profusely then.
“Think nothing of it, my dear. I have gone through this before and wouldn’t wish it on any woman. But I promise you, Melisa. You will recover from this and one day shall bare many children,” Signora Davone said as she hugged Melisa one more time. As the two women parted, Melisa allowed Oliver and her father to escort her back to her room.
When Melisa reached her cabin, she feared seeing signs of the ordeal she’d just experienced. But as she stepped into the room, she saw that fresh linens had been placed on the bed, and if she had to guess, she was sure the mattress was different as well. But even though all the evidence was now gone away with, just the sight of the bed made her grief fresh.
“Come now, my love. Let’s get you settled,” Oliver encouraged as he helped Melisa get under the covers, the scent of peppermint strong. She could only imagine someone must have used their special oil to give her some comfort as the aroma surrounded her, allowing her to feel calm.
“I will visit you in the morning, my dear,” Lord Stanton said as he came to her bedside and placed a small kiss on her forehead. All Melisa could do was smile up at her father as he exchanged nods with Oliver before leaving the room.
For a while, Oliver and Melisa simply looked at one another as Oliver held her hand tightly in his. Eventually, Melisa patted the space beside her, signalling that Oliver should join her in bed. He moved carefully, coming to lay beside her as he wrapped an arm around her waist. As Oliver rested his hands on her middle, Melisa could already feel the void there. She let the tears come again as she and her husband grieved over the loss of their child.
Chapter 23
As the ship made its way towards England, Melisa continued to recover from her ordeal. With each new day, she regained her strength as much of her seasickness had left her. As Oliver watched her become healthy again, he could agree that Melisa was starting to be more active. However, there was sadness in her eyes, even when she smiled.
At night, he tried to talk to Melisa about how she was feeling. She’d assure him that she was feeling better, but he could still note the haunted way her eyes looked at her bed. And even though the cabin beds were quite narrow, he’d taken to sleeping with her at night to help comfort her during those dark hours.
Even more disheartening was that Melisa had started to avoid his shows of affection. Though she was willing to return his kisses, anything more than that and she’d push him away. Even if Oliver didn’t expect intimacy from his wife, he still wanted to feel loved and wanted in return.
It was in this state that Oliver stood port side of the ship along the gunwale as he watched the sun set. Melisa had retired early to bed after dinner, and Oliver had taken a short walk along the main deck, wondering what he could do about her deteriorating mental state. It was here that he was found by Signore and Signora Davone.
“Good evening, Lord Quinn,” Signore Davone said as the couple came to join him. “Just a few more days and we shall be in sight of England once more.”
“Indeed, Signore Davone. I look forward to the end of this voyage,” Oliver admitted as he turned his face from the setting sun and focused it on the older couple. The last few months he’d spent with the Italian family, the more the couple had become like a second set of parents to him.
“I am sure that Lady Quinn would agree with you. How is she doing, really?” Signora Davone asked with concern laced in her voice.
Oliver tried to smile, to think of some encouraging words, but he couldn’t fake how he felt inside. “To be honest, I am worried about my wife. She is acting so disconnected to everyone around her that I fear for her,” Oliver said honestly as he crossed his arms, trying to contain his raging emotions. He certainly didn’t want to cry at a time like this but couldn’t help how he felt.
“I understand what it’s like to lose a child this way. Would you mind if I went to her now and talked to her for a bit?” Signora Davone asked with a kind smile.
“I think she would appreciate some female company. Perhaps she just needs someone who understands to talk to,” Oliver agreed. Signora Davone left them then, leaving the two gentlemen alone.
“My wife lost her first child as well, Lord Quinn,” Signore Davone said. “It took a long time for her to recover from such a terrifying experience. It was almost a year until she felt comfortable to make love once more.”
