Read Online Justified Treason (Endless Horizon Pirate Stories, Book 1) by Cristi Taijeron - Free Book Online
Book: Justified Treason (Endless Horizon Pirate Stories, Book 1) by Cristi Taijeron
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Authors: Cristi Taijeron
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yes. Mary, I know. It is just that…”
Mary saw how I was lost for words and as usual, she did not force the issue. “You just relax, darling. I am going to fill the tub for you before breakfast. You don’t need the rest of the household wondering why you are covered in mud, and smelling of sea salt, and what is that, sandalwood?”
I fluttered over the thought of smelling like Sterling and inhaled the fabric of my nightgown to confirm it. It was all him and my heart warmed in the magic of his aroma.
While Mary got the bath ready, I thought about my relationship with her. She had been serving me for two years and was hardly twenty-five. Her thick dark hair contrasted against her light skin, and her eyes were an enchanting gray-blue color. She was kind and patient like a servant should be, but she always went the extra mile to be more than that. She was comforting and warm like a good friend. In fact, she was the closest thing I ever had to a friend. All of the other girls I knew would come and go between the island and England, but as much as I was intrigued by the tales of their travels, I always felt left out having no stories of my own. I had never thought so far into my relationship with Mary but I realized it would be nice to have someone to talk to, and if I could trust anyone with my secret, it would be Mary.
My skin was cool and damp from sleeping in my wet nightgown, so the warm bath water felt more soothing than usual. Having hardly slept at all, I was tempted to fall asleep as Mary washed my hair, but in my dreamlike state of mind, I managed to tell her my story.
I started by emphasizing the level of trust I expected of her, then I attempted to polish the introduction of my tale, but after stumbling on my words I finally just blurted out, “I am in love with a buccaneer.”
It felt so good to say it out loud, and I was delighted to see Mary’s eyes lift up in fascination. Mary had come to Jamaica from Ireland and knew plenty about adventure and diversity, so it was easy for her to accept the forbidden nature of my secret romance.
We carried on as Mary dressed me in my gold colored gown, and she truly seemed to be just as awestruck by my encounter with Sterling Bentley as I was. While she fixed my hair she asked, “So what will you do about Mr. Braddock?”
“All I know is that I will not be marrying him.”
“Oh, Miss Charlotte, this is going to be tricky, but I will help you in any way I can.”
“I cannot thank you enough, Mary.”
Breakfast was quietly awkward. The tension in the air was heavy and thick. I contemplated the notion of acting in means of piracy and tried to capitalize on the silence by reading everyone’s faces. Hester was irritated and stiff, picking at her plate, but hardly eating. Father’s plate was almost empty, but he seemed worried and unnerved. The silence surrounded me like a cloud of guilt and I couldn’t help but feel responsible for their disgruntled moods.
As soon as my father cleared his plate he stood up and ordered, “Young lady, you will be meeting me in the garden after your breakfast.”
After his strict demand, he walked out towards the pavilion. Hester rose like a chicken ruffling her feathers and she headed to the parlor. The room was silent while I finished my ham and eggs, but my mind was a ruckus of anticipation. Once I was done I took a deep breath and headed out to the garden to meet with my father. I was determined to see this discussion through.
The rain had stopped for the moment but the ground was still wet and the sky was covered in clouds. Father waited for me under the pavilion, and as I approached him he invited, “Sit down, my dear.”
Relieved to hear the tenderness in his voice, I sat next to him on the bench and smiled as if nothing was wrong.
He took a deep breath before he announced, “ Charlotte, there was a break in at the Patterson’s home the night before last. Maureen was attacked and the parlor was destroyed.” My
Mary saw how I was lost for words and as usual, she did not force the issue. “You just relax, darling. I am going to fill the tub for you before breakfast. You don’t need the rest of the household wondering why you are covered in mud, and smelling of sea salt, and what is that, sandalwood?”
I fluttered over the thought of smelling like Sterling and inhaled the fabric of my nightgown to confirm it. It was all him and my heart warmed in the magic of his aroma.
While Mary got the bath ready, I thought about my relationship with her. She had been serving me for two years and was hardly twenty-five. Her thick dark hair contrasted against her light skin, and her eyes were an enchanting gray-blue color. She was kind and patient like a servant should be, but she always went the extra mile to be more than that. She was comforting and warm like a good friend. In fact, she was the closest thing I ever had to a friend. All of the other girls I knew would come and go between the island and England, but as much as I was intrigued by the tales of their travels, I always felt left out having no stories of my own. I had never thought so far into my relationship with Mary but I realized it would be nice to have someone to talk to, and if I could trust anyone with my secret, it would be Mary.
My skin was cool and damp from sleeping in my wet nightgown, so the warm bath water felt more soothing than usual. Having hardly slept at all, I was tempted to fall asleep as Mary washed my hair, but in my dreamlike state of mind, I managed to tell her my story.
I started by emphasizing the level of trust I expected of her, then I attempted to polish the introduction of my tale, but after stumbling on my words I finally just blurted out, “I am in love with a buccaneer.”
It felt so good to say it out loud, and I was delighted to see Mary’s eyes lift up in fascination. Mary had come to Jamaica from Ireland and knew plenty about adventure and diversity, so it was easy for her to accept the forbidden nature of my secret romance.
We carried on as Mary dressed me in my gold colored gown, and she truly seemed to be just as awestruck by my encounter with Sterling Bentley as I was. While she fixed my hair she asked, “So what will you do about Mr. Braddock?”
“All I know is that I will not be marrying him.”
“Oh, Miss Charlotte, this is going to be tricky, but I will help you in any way I can.”
“I cannot thank you enough, Mary.”
Breakfast was quietly awkward. The tension in the air was heavy and thick. I contemplated the notion of acting in means of piracy and tried to capitalize on the silence by reading everyone’s faces. Hester was irritated and stiff, picking at her plate, but hardly eating. Father’s plate was almost empty, but he seemed worried and unnerved. The silence surrounded me like a cloud of guilt and I couldn’t help but feel responsible for their disgruntled moods.
As soon as my father cleared his plate he stood up and ordered, “Young lady, you will be meeting me in the garden after your breakfast.”
After his strict demand, he walked out towards the pavilion. Hester rose like a chicken ruffling her feathers and she headed to the parlor. The room was silent while I finished my ham and eggs, but my mind was a ruckus of anticipation. Once I was done I took a deep breath and headed out to the garden to meet with my father. I was determined to see this discussion through.
The rain had stopped for the moment but the ground was still wet and the sky was covered in clouds. Father waited for me under the pavilion, and as I approached him he invited, “Sit down, my dear.”
Relieved to hear the tenderness in his voice, I sat next to him on the bench and smiled as if nothing was wrong.
He took a deep breath before he announced, “ Charlotte, there was a break in at the Patterson’s home the night before last. Maureen was attacked and the parlor was destroyed.” My
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