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Melina nodded. ‘Do you plan on taking in other children?’
Sinclair shook his head. ‘We didn’t plan on Thomas, but once we heard about him and met him, we decided he should have a home with us. He’s a good lad and my wife thinks another child would be dear. Tom’s six, but she’s already worried about him growing up so fast.’
Melina talked more with the couple, aware of Warrington sitting beside them, occasionally moving his boot, or rubbing away a speck on his clothing or a mote from the nearest surface. He looked to have no more attention for the conversation than he might if the cook explained how a chicken was plucked.
Melina rose, pulling Willa up with her. ‘We will be sure to let you know of Warrington’s decision. But he is still a bit undecided on letting her leave.’
His eyes darted to her. His jaw was locked. His decision was plain to see in his black stare.
He spoke a few courteous words to the Sinclairs as he walked them to the door and left, still talking to them.
Melina hugged Willa tight, but the cherub pushed away, and Melina lowered her to a standing position.
When Warrington returned, he had Willa’s nursery maid with him. The woman picked up her charge and left the room.
‘I would like to speak to you a moment, Melina.’ Warrington shut the door and then walked to her. He put both hands on her shoulders. ‘They are good people. The kind of people who should make up the world.’
‘But not right for Willa. I want to take her back to Melos with me. I will be a good mother.’
His fingers tightened. ‘They are already parents of a son. They are more right for her than either you or I. They can care for her without knowing what has gone before. They will be good family for her. You will start a family of your own.’
‘And Willa can be my first child.’
‘No. If you want what is right for the child, you can see the family she will have. She will be here where she can grow up surrounded by those fripperies women like so well. Not on an island that is used as a harbour for ships full of men who’ve left their morals behind. Willa can have two parents who will have the same love for her they have for their other child. I will see that she has no financial needs. The man does well in his business and he would do well by her should I not send a coin their way, but I will make sure they have no concerns. I will convey a message to them in the morning asking them to let me know when they are ready for Willa.’
Melina wanted to tell him to go to the devil. Wanted to hit him. But it would do no good. She walked from the room. Cassandra. Melina hated a woman she’d never met.
* * *
Hours after the Sinclairs left, Melina crept to Willa’s bed, watching her sleep. The child should have two parents.
Melina pulled a chair near. She’d worried herself about the little girl, but now she felt calm. More at peace. She’d approached Broomer secretly, asking for all he knew of the couple, and he’d told her what decent people they were. He’d told her of his life and how he’d only had one parent, and how he’d wished for a father. She understood why Warrington relied on him so. The man, with all his loudness and size and capability for violence, still had the heart of a boy who longed for the love of a family. She trusted him, as well.
She knew the hour past midnight when Warrington walked in without knocking.
‘Have you been hiding from me to punish me?’ he asked.
She shook her head, then realised he might not see the movement in the darkness. ‘I just had to think. To understand.’ She felt spears of anger, but she tamped them down. The hurt ran deeper.
Fingertips touched her shoulders, rubbing gently, sending calming shivers into her body.
‘You’ve been through a lot, Melina. You’ve slept in a room where the mermaids were.’ His fingertips closed over her shoulder. ‘I’ve actually had a fire lit this time. Come with me and we can watch flames instead of unlit coal.’
She rose from the chair and he followed her out of the room.
‘It’s not easy for me, either, Melina,’ he said, sitting.
She sat at one end of the sofa, he sat on the other—his shirt open at the neck, no waistcoat and his hair ruffled a bit, as if he’d run his fingers through it. He looked to have been in bed, then left it and dressed again. His elbow propped on the back of the sofa and his legs sprawled in front. ‘I want to go forward.’
She didn’t answer.
‘Jacob is my child. And he looks...’ He smiled. ‘Poor child, I suspect he looks exactly as I did at the same age. And I have seen him plan mischief and seen Ben in his face, as well. I will never let him near the sea.’
