The heat in her chamber was nearly suffocating. Climbing out of bed, she tiptoed on bare feet to the window and threw open the shutters, hoping for a breeze that would offer some relief from the humidity that had robbed her of her sleep. But the night air was calm. Sighing, she returned to bed. Although she blamed the heat for her restlessness, she could not deny it was the thought of Nathaniel’s return that was keeping her awake. The captain was expected to arrive home within two days’ time, and she could not recall when she had dreaded anything more. As Rosalind tossed and turned, silently cursing even the smallest lumps in her bed, she came to realize she no longer appreciated the luxury of having a bed to herself. She craved the company of Nellie and Elizabeth and their giggles as they exchanged silly stories before nodding off to sleep. The silence in Rosalind’s empty chamber served only to magnify the disturbing thoughts that constantly had plagued her of late.
