AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Willa laughed.
The door burst open and Warrington plunged into the room, holding a letter. ‘The Sinclairs are not taking her.’
Melina looked up. ‘They are not?’ She pulled Willa into her arms. ‘That is terrible.’
He threw the letter from his hand. The paper fluttered down. ‘They wish for her to stay with her mother.’
She brushed her hand over the baby-fine hair and pressed a kiss to Willa’s head. ‘They must be mistaken. If they are addled, it is best for Willa not to be with them.’
‘They received a letter, amazingly with mine. And they sent it to me along with their change of heart. The missive is from a woman they believe is Willa’s mother asking them to not take her one and only precious little girl. The only baby she might ever have. That this woman wants her and needs to keep her. She loves Willa. The letter made them think I was forcing her—you—to give the child away.’ He paused. ‘Blast it, Melina. No one would be better for her than the Sinclairs. They are a good family. You should not have meddled.’ He stood over her. ‘And stop hiding behind the child.’
‘I am not. We were playing.’ Melina let Willa move to the floor.
‘You were playing. With the child’s life. You are not her mother and you should not have written to the Sinclairs. You have no right to do such.’ He took a deep breath. ‘She could have had two loving parents.’
‘She has two loving parents.’ She stood. ‘Me. And Broomer...’
‘What in blazes...?’ His voice hurt her ears and he looked as if he had just spit vinegar. Willa’s lips trembled.
‘Skase. You’ll frighten her.’ She gave the baby a quick hug.
‘I should be scaring you.’ He lowered his tone and ran his fingers through his hair, pushing it back from his face. ‘What do you mean, Broomer and you?’ He leaned his head forward as if he could not hear correctly.
‘He and I have discussed it. He would like to be a father and feels he might never get another chance. I already love her. We do not want to part with her and we both agree that two parents would be best. He is going back to Melos with me—and he will stay. He will keep me safe from Stephanos and be a kind father for Willa. And she will have my sisters for aunts.’
‘I forbid it.’
‘You cannot stop us.’
‘You cannot take Willa without my permission. She is my legal daughter. And Broomer is my servant.’
Melina looked at the window, then turned her gaze to Warrington. ‘I would not say Broomer is your servant. He has left. He has agreed to work for me, at no cost, because you were tossing aside a dear child. Broomer and I want her. If you choose anything otherwise...’ her voice rose ‘...then you are a beast. You are less than a man. You are worse than Stephanos. You are worse than Ludgate.’ Her fingers fisted. ‘You must do the right thing and give her to us. Broomer and I will live on the dowry money. And you do not have to send us a single pence.’
His brows furrowed. ‘Are you planning to wed him?’
‘We have no notion of it, but the people on Melos will readily assume he is my husband, and it would be best if Stephanos thinks I am married.’
He took a step back. ‘You are completely daft. And so was I. I trusted you and Broomer and you both made plans behind my back.’
‘Yes. You are fortunate to have two such caring people in your life. Or, should I say, to have had two such caring people in your life.’
‘I cannot believe you would do this. Again, a woman misled me.’ He glowered. ‘And I will not let you take the Ascalon back to Melos.’
‘I have already had Broomer make arrangements with Captain Ben. On the ship. Your brother said he will have no trouble sailing Ascalon to the island, as you have already given the command, and he knows it is what you meant. And you might have trouble finding him to give him any changes, as Gidley is not to let you on board. Gidley has to do as his captain commands. He does not believe in mutiny.’
‘I own that ship,’ his voice thundered.
‘Only half. And Captain Ben thinks if he sails his half, your half will follow without argument. He said it is odd how ships work that way.’
‘You did— You led them all—’ He held out a palm, shaking it in the air. ‘You are as conniving as Cassandra. I want no part of you.’
She stood. ‘Willa’s things are already on board the ship, as are mine and Broomer’s. I was just waiting to tell you. And...’ she picked up Willa, holding her tight ‘...I am keeping those hideous dresses. And your pillows. I quite like them and they will make her a soft bed on the ship.’ She stopped at the door and turned back. ‘And the milled lilac soap. You should probably alert your housekeeper that you are running quite low on it.’ She sniffed at Willa’s hair. ‘It makes her smell so precious.’
