Read Online The Immortelles by Gilbert Morris - Free Book Online

sailor, I’m afraid.”
    In their lively conversation, Damita learned a great deal about Esther McCain—mainly that she was completely in love with her husband.
    Esther admitted as much when she said, “I feel sinful, loving Robert as much as I do.”
    â€œSinful! There’s nothing sinful about loving your husband.”
    Esther smiled and shook her head. “I’m ashamed to tell you this, Damita, but I almost worship him.”
    Her words amused Damita. “Well, you have become an idolater, then.”
    â€œI almost have, but I know that I must love God first and Robert second. But I do love him as much as a woman ever loved a man.”
    Damita had never talked with a young bride like Esther, and she was interested. She inquired, “Do you mind if I ask you a very personal question?”
    â€œWhy, of course not. Anything.”
    Damita colored slightly. “I don’t know anything at all about being a wife, I
mean about—” She broke off and sought the proper words. “I mean, about, well, the intimacies of married life.”
    Esther McCain put her hand over Damita’s. “I didn’t know a thing about it, either,” she admitted. “I was scared to death on our wedding night, but it was all right. It will be all right for you, too, if you marry a good man. Robert was so gentle. He knew I was afraid, and he spent, I think, more time talking to me and telling me he loved me than any man ever did.”
    Damita felt the young bride’s contentment. She sighed and said, “I’m so glad you’re happy, Esther.”
    â€œWe’re going to have a wonderful life, Damita. We’re not going to get old the way other people do. We’re going to stay fresh and young. Robert has promised me that. Even when we’re gray-haired, he’s going to write me love letters, and I’m going to write them to him, too. We’re going to have children, and I’m so excited about the days and years to come.” She asked Damita, “Have you ever been in love?”
    â€œNo, I never have.”
    â€œThen you must pray that God will give you a man as good as Robert.”
    Damita felt a warm glow in her face. “I never met a woman who loved her husband the way you love yours. I hope the same thing happens to me.”
    The sea grew rougher all day, and word came that the ship’s staff would serve no evening meal in the dining room because of the vessel’s pitching. Instead, stewards would bring sandwiches to the passengers’ cabins.
    Juanita could only cling to the bunk silently; she could not eat at all. Damita ate just half a sandwich. She was frightened. The ship not only nose-dived and then rose up slowly, it also wallowed from side to side. She had no more appetite than her aunt did. She finally jumped down from the top bunk and told Juanita, “I’m going to see what it’s like up on deck.”
    â€œBe careful, Damita. Don’t get near the rail.”
    â€œI’ll be all right. You lie still, ma tante .”
    As she climbed the stairs to the deck, Damita felt as if a hand were closing around her heart. The sky was black, and although most of the sails had been furled, the wind was whipping through those that still gave the ship forward motion. The sailors had rigged ropes to hold on to while moving from place to place, and Damita clung to one just a few feet from the staircase. She stood watching as the prow went down and slowly rose again.
    â€œPretty rough weather, Miss Damita.”
    Startled, Damita turned to see Yancy Devereaux, who had come up from another set of stairs. She nodded and said, “This is terrible.”
    â€œI’m hoping it’ll get better.”
    â€œHave you talked to the captain?”
    â€œYes, but he says the glass is still falling.”
    â€œThe glass? What does that mean?”
    â€œIt’s an instrument that tells what the weather is, more