“Mummy!”
“Shh, darling, shh, we have to be quiet. We’re playing a game. We’re going to hide from Papa.”
“Scared.”
“Shh. Don’t be frightened, darling. Shh. Mummy will never let anything bad happen. We’re going to have fun. Do you see the magical lever? It’s our little secret.”
*Evangeline*
I awaken to an agonized groaning. At first, I think it’s the thunder, but then I become aware of being in the bed alone, of harsh breathing in the room.
Reaching out to the bedside table, I turn up the flame in the lamp. It chases back the shadows to reveal Claybourne, naked, kneeling on the floor, rocking, his arms wrapped around his stomach as though he’s suffering intense pain. I scramble out of bed and crouch before him. “Luc, Luc, whatever’s wrong?”
He lifts his face, and I see the tears trai
