Embark | h.s

Four

Embraced by the warmth of his body and comfort of his scent, Celia's eyes fluttered open. It was the first night that she had slept through since Nerissa's birth, thanks to the nursemaid that Harry insisted on employing for the journey. Celia was grateful, of course, but eager to land in the New World and resume her motherly duties.

Celia slithered out of his arms and slid her nightgown over her head, clothing her shivering body. She wrapped a quilt from the end of the bed around her arms and padded across the room, her feet stinging from the prickling coolness of the wooden boards, and stopped at the window. Her eyes were momentarily blinded by the morning sunlight that reflected off of the waves as they lapped against the side of the ship.

"Good morning," Harry mumbled from their bed.

Celia glanced over her shoulder. "Sorry if I woke you." He shook his head and sat up, rubbing his hazy eyes. She turned back around to look out at the seemingly infinite sea. "I miss Nerissa."

"She's just next door, my dear," he said. Celia heard shuffling around as Harry got out of bed and began to dress himself. "Just because there is a nursemaid, it doesn't mean that you are cut out of her life for good. We aren't back at Greenwich." He walked up behind her and placed a kiss on top of her head. "You may do whatever you wish now; no rules, no expectations."

Celia sighed and leaned into his chest, his arms immediately finding their way around her waist and pulling her close. "Then I want to spend the day with her."

Harry smiled. "Your wish is my command."

✿

"Good day, ma'am," the nursemaid said as Celia entered the room. She curtseyed and kept her eyes low until Celia flashed a small smile her way.

"Good day," Celia replied politely. She walked across the small room to the crib that was placed below a window, the friendly rays of sunlight warming the cheeks of her sleeping baby. "How did she sleep?" she asked, looking down at Nerissa and smiling.

"She woke a few times, but that's to be expected at her age," she said.

Celia nodded. "Last night was the first full night of sleep I've gotten since her birth. Thank you for allowing me to take that pleasure."

"Of course, ma'am."

"I'd like to spend the day with her," Celia said. "You are dismissed until this evening."

"As you wish, ma'am," she said as she curtseyed.

Celia pulled over a chair and sat down, watching as Nerissa slept peacefully below her.

✿

She scooped Nerissa into her arms and brought her to the balcony that overlooked the weather deck. The fresh air did both of them some good; revitalizing their senses, especially Celia's as the salty air filled her nostrils and cleared her mind.