“Well, if you only feel sick when at sea, your early pregnancy is going better
than some. Of course, as far along as you are, you are likely almost done with the unpleasant part anyway,” Dr. James informed her. “Around the fourth month,
most women begin to feel better. Now that I'm convinced you're healthy, I'll leave you in privacy. Be sure you keep eating and drinking normally. And congratulations.”
“Thank you, Dr. James,” Christopher said woodenly as the doctor let himself
out of their cabin.
Katerina looked at her husband in stunned horror. He looked back, his
expression mirroring hers. They leaned forward and hugged each other in fierce
silence. There was nothing to say, so they just held on tight while the whole world shifted and changed around them.
CHAPTER 19
T he voyage progressed more slowly this time, with less cooperative
winds, and the ship did not sail into Southampton until the end of the
first week of April.
After so many days of traveling, walking into the house felt like a dream come true.
Home, Katerina thought, admiring how it suddenly looked and felt perfect. In their absence, the furniture they'd ordered had arrived, and their employees had
placed it. The music room now contained two comfortable armchairs and a table.
Paintings hung from the walls, and scarlet curtains at the windows warmed the
space. Katerina smiled and sank onto the piano bench, warming up her rusty fingers on an instrument belonging to her alone.
Welcome home, the instrument's smiling curve seemed to say. I'm here for you.
She closed her eyes and played the Moonlight Sonata without a second
thought. The notes seemed to express her confused feelings, which ranged from
mournful to frantic.
Christopher approached carefully, making sure to stay in her line of sight, and embraced her, urging her away from the piano and up the stairs. “Let's rest, love,
in our own home. In our own bed.”
She nodded, allowing him to lead her up the stairs. Between their bedroom
and the furnished guestroom down the hall, a third remained empty.
Katerina looked at the blank walls and bare floors for a long, silent moment.
Christopher slid his arm around her waist. He didn't say it would be an ideal
nursery. He didn't have to; it was obvious. He could sense her discomfort, and it
didn't surprise him. This is a heavy burden for a woman still so unsure of herself.
In the morning, Christopher headed off to work, late as usual.
Katerina, after a long bath and a hearty breakfast, scrawled a brief note to her
mother-in-law, letting her know they were home and sent it by messenger. Julia
arrived for a visit two hours later.
“Oh, how lovely this house is,” she exclaimed, claiming a spot on the sofa while Katerina rang for tea.
“Thank you,” Katerina replied, her tone subdued.
“And how was Italy?” As usual, Julia bubbled with enthusiasm. She seemed
not to notice Katerina's lack of excitement.
