Daniel had returned from the hospital just before dinner time still in a lot of pain, but his arm was wrapped up tight in a cast, and Dr. Simpson assured him that it would heal just fine so long as he kept the cast dry and went to a doctor within a few weeks of disembarking. Charlie and Jonathan had both stopped by to see him in the hospital as he waited for the cast to dry, and Meg had watched the girls for a bit so that Kelly could as well.When Ruth saw her daddy’s cast she cried, saying she was, “So, so, so, so sorry, Daddy,” and Kelly took it as another opportunity to drive home the idea that she must stay with Mummy, Daddy, or Aunty Meg at all times to which she had added, “Or Uncle Charlie. Or Mr. Jonaffin.” Her mother gave in but insisted that the list could not be lengthened to add anyone else, and Ruth agreed that she would never run off again.Daniel was too tired to accompany them to dinner, so the ladies took the girls and wen

Kelly refused any of the several beers gentlemen began offering her the moment she and Meg walked in the door. She was still nursing Lizzy, after all, and she’d noticed the baby was a bit groggy if she drank anything at all even a few hours before she fed her. Meg, on the other hand, had accepted the first drink she’d been offered, which had cost her an obligatory dance with a rather large Scottish lad named Titus, but the glasses were tall, and she was able to make that drink last long enough she was not forced to accept any of the other offers that came her way.Occasionally, Kelly consented to cut a rug with the more attractive men that asked, but for the most part, she simply flashed her wedding band in the direction of those who’d have her hand, and they’d move along. Meg didn’t mind telling the men no directly. In fact, she wished she’d done more of it in her former life.“We really shouldn’t stay too long,” M

As he pulled away, she cocked her head to one side, the soft skin of her alabaster cheek brushing his and said in a breathy whisper, “Well then, dance with me.”Smiling a crooked grin, Charlie nodded, saying “All right, then, Miss Meg.” Taking her hand in his, he led her out to the makeshift dance floor, muttering quietly under his breath “but you’ll be sorry you asked.”Except she wasn’t sorry. As the rhythm of drums and violin increased, he wrapped one arm tightly around her waist, still holding her other hand in his and began to move her swiftly around the dance floor. Neither of them had any clue how to do the steps the Third Class passengers around them knew so well, but that didn’t stop them from trying, and when they couldn’t figure it out at all, Charlie would take the lead in one of the many ballroom dances he did know, which oddly enough, from his perspective, she seemed to know as well. He twirled h

Meg’s forehead furrowed in confusion. “What? No. I’m not sure I understand what could possibly be so humorous,” she insisted, seeing the amusement playing in the corners of his eyes. “Charlie, I’m serious. There are so many things that you don’t understand—important things.”Charlie did his best to stifle his laughter, and with both of her hands in his, he pulled her closer, saying, “I’m sorry. I’m not laughing at you. I promise. Just listen, Meg, whatever it is that makes you think you’re not good enough for me, it doesn’t matter. You’re wrong.”She shifted her position again, pulling back a bit and turning to face him even more. “No, Charlie. That’s just it. Don’t you wonder why I won’t tell you my last name? Or who I was before I got on this boat? Doesn’t it bother you at all that I won’t answer any of your questions about my family or

Meg had slept in the morning of April 13 well past the last call for breakfast. Kelly had also slumbered on for quite some time, though hungry children were able to poke and prod enough to finally get her out of bed in time for a morning meal. While Daniel was still in obvious pain, he had managed to leave the small cabin with the boisterous little lass, her sister, and their overly tired mother, leaving Meg to roll back over and continue what could no doubt be considered the best sleep of her life.There had been no nightmares, despite the fact that she knew she’d be walking in to a real live one later that evening, and she had dreamt only of Charlie and the life they would have had together had she only done the right thing in the first place. When she finally pulled herself from bed and dressed just before noon, she did so with an air of solemnity. Regardless of how she handled herself this evening—walking into the hornet’s nest without giving him fair wa