I went with Raphael, carrying Paolo to his cradle in Pearl’s chamber before we looked in on Penny and Francesca, sharing a bed, both sleeping peacefully in the room next door.
Raphael’s arm came around my waist and he pulled me close. ‘I can barely believe what I’m seeing,’ he whispered.
I turned to place my hand on his face. ‘There’s been so much for you take in.’
‘Come.’ He took my hand and let me from the room. ‘Let’s go to bed.’
We undressed in silence, not touching each other. I knew his thoughts were fixed on his visit to his father tomorrow, wishing I could be with him yet glad in so many ways that I could not. We climbed beneath the quilt and he pulled me into his arms. Now was the time I should tell him of my fears about another child, but I could not bring myself to do it. He
