Free The Shipmaster's Daughter by Jessica Wolf Page B

door, his feet sliding off the desk. Esther stood in the doorway, her small hands curled around the doorknob. She was dressed in her nightgown, much too long for her, and her hair was in disarray. Reed beckoned her over. She grinned and scampered onto his lap. Her head settled underneath his chin.
    “Did you have a good day today?” he asked.
    Esther nodded. “Oh yes. Did you?”
    He hesitated then found himself answering with full honesty. “Of course.”
    “I think Miss Renaldi had a good time, too. She smiled a lot, didn’t she?”
    The memory of Luciana’s smile—triggered by Jack dropping the contents of his ice cream cone—flooded into Reed’s mind. Her life had been filled with such sorrow since her arrival that her smile was startling. It was almost as if he was witnessing a secret.
    “She did seem like she was enjoying herself.” He rubbed Esther’s shoulder.
    “It was a good day,” she whispered, her voice small and sleepy. “The best day.”
    Reed smiled when a few moments later her snores filled the room. She was a snorer, like her mother before her. He sat with her awhile, listening to her snores, feeling the gentle rise and fall of her chest against his. It struck him that she was growing; growing faster than he’d anticipated, and he was missing it. It seemed like just yesterday she had been born, screaming and screeching. Now she still screamed and screeched, but out of joy and excitement.
    When the clock on the mantle struck one, he rose from his chair, walked down the hall, and around the corner. The nursery door hung open, poor Mrs. Peters fast asleep in a rocking chair beside the bed. Reed tucked Esther in her sheets and kissed her forehead before heading to his own room a few doors down. He tugged off his boots, dropped back against the bed, and fell asleep seconds after he blew out the candles.

    The next morning was greeted with a raging headache and a shriek outside his door. Reed sat up, cradling his forehead. Apparently he’d drank more than he’d realized the night before. White spots swam before his eyes. He staggered as he rolled out of bed. His toes curled as they touched the cold wood floor.
    “Miss Esther, please don’t hold it like that! Argh! Miss Esther!”
    “But, Brigette, it really won’t hurt.”
    The mingled sounds of his daughter’s imploring voice and Brigette’s screeching were too much for Reed and his poor head to bear. After buttoning his shirt and drawing his hair back into its usual low tie, he threw open his door. The words poised on his tongue failed at he took in the sight before him. Brigette stood pressed against the wall, hands covering her face. Esther held a rat up by its tail. The creature squeaked and grabbed at the air, wiggling and thrashing.
    “Esther, what on earth are you doing?” he demanded.
    Esther spun around on her heel, pushing the rat toward him. “Look at what I found. Isn’t he wonderful?”
    Reed grimaced. “No. It’s disgusting and not something a young girl should be playing with, nor torturing the staff with. What has gotten into you?” He took a hold of her shoulder. “Apologize to Brigette and let the animal go.”
    Esther’s lower lip puckered, but Reed was determined to win. He held her gaze and when he didn’t relent, she did, turning to Brigette. “I’m sorry, Brigette. Forgive me?”
    Brigette sagged away from the wall. “‘Course, miss. I can…take that outside if you like, sir?” She worried her lower lip as she awaited his answer. When Reed nodded, her shoulders drooped and she hastened down the hall, holding the squirming rodent by its tail.
    “Wasn’t that funny, Father?” Esther asked, turning her doe eyes to him.
    “No, Esther. Far from it. You’ve been idle too long. It’s time you returned to your studies.”
    She pouted. “But I hate studies.”
    “All the more reason for you to return to them.” He guided her down the hall toward the staircase. “I’ve asked Miss Renaldi to consider