Read Online Petals on the River by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss - Free Book Online Page B

dedication to the attainment of his goais, showing
    little concern for what others might think or say about him.   He had
    certainly given no heed to the tongues that had started clacking soon
    after the bosun had announced his reason for being aboard the ship.   Nor
    did he seem the least bit disturbed by the rudely inquisitive stares
    they were presently being subjected to.   Apparently he was a man well
    accustomed to being talked about.
     
    .
     
     
    Reaching out a hand, Gage lightly flicked the back of his fingers over
    Shemaine's sleeve where it had been torn away from her bodice. "Unless
    rags have become the fashion, my girl, I'm inclined to disagree with you
    about being fully clothed."
     
    Excruciatingly aware of her ragtag appearance, Shemaine dragged the rent
    together over her bare shoulder.   " Tis a poor, drab servant you've
    bought for yourself, Mr.   Thornton."
     
    The brown eyes snared hers again and probed deeply, seeming to reach
    into her very soul.   They conveyed no warmth beyond the color yet there
    was no coldness in them either.   "Considering where I went to find one,
    Shemaine, I count myself fortunate to have come away with such a rare
    prize."
     
    Her expression became one of confused wonder.   "Have you no regrets
    about laying out so costly a purse for the likes of me, Mr. Thornton?"
     
    Gage lightly scoffed at the idea.   "I came here today with a definite
    purpose in mind, and I'm not one to lament my actions until they've been
    proven irreversibly foolish." He lifted a curious brow and presented a
    question of his own.   "Knowing yourself as well as you do Shemaine
    O'Hearn, would you be thinking I've wasted my wages?"
     
    "I truly hope not, sir." Her voice was small and uncertain.   "It all
    depends on what you want most from me.   Tis no boast when I say that I'm
    capable of teaching your son to wield a quill with a goodly amount of
    skill, to do sums in his head, and to read with the best in years to
    come, but tis a sorry fact that you might have acquired a more capable
    housekeeper, nursemaid or cook by buying Annie or one of the other
    women."
     
    Gage finally glanced toward the group of onlookers, setting them to
    nervous flight with nothing more than a thoughtful scowl.   Of a sudden,
    they seemed in an anxious dither to cross the gangplank and board the
    ship.   He gave little consideration to their undignified haste as he
    looked at her again.   "You made your lack of skills quite clear ere I
    bought you, Shemaine.   I cannot claim I've been defrauded. There'll be
    no taking you back."
     
    Shemaine felt her heart grow light with relief.   " Tis good to know
    that, sir."
     
    Gage gestured casually to her riding habit, having noticed several tars
    watching the girl from afar.   " Tis plain we'll have to do something
    about your clothing.   I don't appreciate the stares you attract, nor
    would I have you shamed by my lack of generosity."
     
    Once again Shemaine tried to read the inscrutable frown that occupied
    his sun-bronzed brow as he slowly perused her, but the man himself
    seemed carefully reserved and enigmatic.   Knowing only too well that her
    appearance could cause even the staunch-hearted to cringe in chagrin,
    she offered hesitantly, "If you'd prefer not to be seen with me, Mr.
    Thornton, I can follow several paces behind you so no one will know
    we're together."
     
    Gage served quick death to her suggestion.   "I didn't lay out forty
    pounds for you, girl, just to have you snatched behind my back. You have
    no understanding of this area, else you'd know there are not a lot of
    women to choose from, especially those worthy of being called pretty.
     
    There are, however, enough trappers and backwoodsmen wandering around to
    give a virtuous maid serious cause to worry.   Any number of them would
    be willing to commit mayhem to get themselves a woman to take back to
    their camps.   You'd be a fine catch for a man like that, especially
    during