Free A Leap of Faith (The Hands of Time: Book 2) by Irina Shapiro Page B

lean against him, to feel his arms around her, holding her tight.
    “What’s you r name?” she whispered.  She wasn’t sure if he heard her above the rustling of the wind, but he did.  He waited a moment before he answered, no doubt startled by the question.
    “Christopher, but the people who matter call me Kit.  What is yours?”
    “Louisa, but the people who matter call me Lou,” replied Louisa playfully, despite the hammering of her heart.
    “That’s a beautiful name for a beautiful woman, but I prefer Louisa to Lou.  It’s more feminine.”  Louisa could feel his breath in her hair.  He was much taller than her, so his mouth was just above her head.  Had he moved closer or was it her imagination?  Louisa gripped the wheel tighter to avoid her thoughts.  Her body was leaning back on its own accord, looking for the comfort of his.  Christopher’s fingers began to caress her hands under his own, and she heard him suck in his breath. 
    “Thank you, Mr. Sheridan.  I ’d better go back to my cabin now.”  She withdrew her hands from under his and turned around, finding his face only inches away from her own.
    “Yes.  You’d better.  Good night … Louisa.”

Chapter 16
     
    Louisa woke up sometime in the middle of the night.  The air in the cabin was close and warm; the darkness almost impenetrable.  She threw off the covers, lying there in her linen shift.  Agnes was sound asleep, obviously feeling better.  Louisa wondered if the girl had reached puberty yet.  Most girls did by the age of fifteen, but Agnes was small for her age and might have been underfed her whole life.  Lack of proper nutrition would forestall the onset of puberty. 
    The reason Louisa was wondering was because she needed some practical advice.  Her period began a few days ago , and she had already gone through her stash of tampons.  She had only two left, and needed something to use in their place.  She supposed women used some kind of rags, but she didn’t have any, and had no idea what would hold them in place if she did. 
    Louisa had been forced to part with her bra and panties once Agnes moved in.  The girl went through all her things and washed her undergarments as needed.  It wouldn’t do for her to see these items.  Louisa didn’t mind going braless , as much as she minded the lack of underwear.  She felt strangely exposed despite the petticoat and long skirt, and kept pressing her legs together, conscious of her nakedness.  She supposed she would have to get used to that, among other things; like not washing on a regular basis.  The sailors provided some seawater upon request to wash with, but it made Louisa’s hair feel coarse and brittle.  What she wouldn’t give for a hot shower and some good conditioner.  A cappuccino wouldn’t hurt either.  She hadn’t had a cup of coffee since her last morning in 2012, and she longed for caffeine. 
    The fare on the ship was horrible.  Cook usually gave them biscuits and ale for breakfast, some kind of salt meat and bread for lunch, and a stew of some sort for dinner.  The captain occasionally got a chop or a roasted chicken, which he frequently offered to share with Louisa, to the chagrin of the other passengers.  She didn’t want to encourage the captain’s attentions, but at this point, she would do almost anything for a piece of chicken and a vegetable.  She would probably have kissed him for a piece of fruit. 
    Agnes moaned in her sleep and turned over, facing the wall.  The light outside the porthole was beginning to change from inky blue to a misty gray, signaling the arrival of a new day.  So far, the weather had been lovely, with a brisk wind that carried them at a good speed.  The captain was pleased with their progress, hoping to make it to the West Indies within a few weeks.  They would resupply the ship, and take on fresh water, before continuing on to Virginia. 
    Louisa waited until the milky light reached all the corners of