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When no answer came this time, he turned in the direction of the lamp and lit it. Prudence was gone.
Panic immediately set in. Then he recalled they were on a steamboat sailing up the river, limiting her ability to escape. But where could she have gone and why?
He was suddenly furious. He had had enough of her flights for freedom, especially now since she was his wife. If she didn't mind him, then he'd tie her down. The thought held promise, and he stormed out of the cabin in search of her.
The wind had picked up and the threat of rain appeared close at hand. Zac's fury quickly gave way to worry. He had searched the upper deck and hadn't found her. He was now almost finished searching the lower deck, and still no Prudence.
He made his way to the front of the boat near the stacks of cargo. He walked around them, wondering why he was wasting his time. Prudence would never come here. He was about to turn and walk away. Then he saw her, huddled against a large crate. The wind blew her hair across her face. Her nightgown flapped at her feet and her hands gripped her shawl around her.
He was at her side instantly, kneeling before her to block the raging wind. "What the hell are you doing here?"
Prudence looked up at him, ever so grateful he had found her. "I don't feel well, Zac."
Her voice was weak, her face pale in the moonlight.
He removed his coat, wrapped it around her, and lifted her up into his strong arms. He said nothing. He wanted to get her back to the safety and comfort of their cabin.
She clung to him, her hands fastening around his neck and holding on tightly, her face buried in the crook of his neck. She had no intention of ever letting go.
Zac kicked the door shut with his foot and placed her gently on the bed. She was shivering and she wouldn't take her hands from around his neck.
"Pru, let go," he said gently.
She made no move.
"Pru, let go," he repeated. "We need to get you warm."
When again she refused to release him, he grabbed her hands and pried them loose.
"Don't leave me," she cried out to him.
"I won't," he assured her, and reached for the wool blanket to wrap around her. He threw his waistcoat on the chest and hurried into bed with her, drawing her cocoon-wrapped body into the safety of his arms.
She snuggled against him, anxious to get as close as possible.
He held her firm as she tucked her head beneath his chin. "Why did you leave the cabin?"
"I felt so sick and the closed quarters made it worse." She didn't add how frightened the approaching storm made her. She had never liked storms, having feared them since childhood. The wind and then the thunder, loud and bold, and finally the torrential rain . . . She shivered.
He pulled the blanket away from her. "Let me take that from around you. It's better if you lie next to me. My body heat will keep you warm."
She didn't argue. Actually, she preferred being as near to him as possible. She melted comfortably against him as he arranged the blanket over them.
A crack of thunder signaled the approaching storm. Prudence jumped in fright.
He held her firm, running his hand soothingly up and down her arm. "Have you always had a fear of storms?"
"As long as I can remember. My mother would come to my room when there was a storm and sleep with me. She'd sing to me and tell me stories to help me through the night."
"Well, I'm not much of a singer, but I sure can entertain you with stories."
His sincere concern pleased her. "Fairy tales?" she teased.
"Sometimes I wonder," he said with a laugh.
The thunder rumbled loudly again and a spattering of rain turned quickly into a downpour.
"I'm all ears," Prudence said, anxious to hear anything but the storm.
"Remember," he joked, "you asked for it."
The storm and Zac's stories continued throughout the night. Some brought laughter and some brought tears to Prudence. She learned much about him, and as the storm rumbled angrily off into the distance, she realized the meaning of true love. She had no doubt the ache in her chest, the comfort, the churning emotions she was experiencing, were all part of love. The love she felt for Zac Stewart.
The morning brought sunshine along with mixed feelings to Prudence. She was confused. All her life, she had thought of matters as black or white, proper or improper. Yet the emotion that absorbed her now was beyond anything that simple. There was no easy explanation for it, no sound reasoning. She supposed that was why her friends had scoffed at her and laughed when she had asked for a description of the feelings they were experiencing.
