Read Online The Governor's Daughter (Winds of Change Book 1) by Jerri Hines - Free Book Online
Authors: Jerri Hines
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Cathryn paused briefly, “Grandmamma. I have so looked forward to meeting you instead of the exchange of letters.”
“I agree, my dear. I feel so much better with you safely on our shores. We have heard dreadful things about the colonies as of late. And now that you are here, we will have to get to know each other.”
Cathryn spent the next few hours detailing her youth to her grandmother, talking endlessly about Elm Bluff and her father, but never did she mention Sumner or Juriah, knowing well to hold back on the information.
“You have so many relatives to meet, Cathryn. You have your Aunt Esmeralda, Uncle Richard and, of course, cousins. They have heard so much about you. We have such plans for your visit, especially hoping that you will extend it longer than what your father requested. I can’t imagine you going back with the troubles they are having across the ocean,” her grandmother said.
“Have they begun? I know only that Father was concerned about the situation. He wouldn’t talk much to me about the rising conflict,” Cathryn confessed.
“As well he shouldn’t,” her grandmother interjected. “It is not for your ears. Now you are here, you need only to worry about the plans we have made for you.”
Within the week she had met her mother’s brother Richard and his wife Esmeralda. Their three children were older than Cathryn. Their two girls, Cecilia and Drusilla, were both married. Cecilia, Cathryn understood, was expecting her first child and wouldn’t be able to meet Cathryn at this time for she lived up North. Drusilla was in London for the season, had no children, and didn’t live far from her parents in the summer house in Devon.
Their only son, Reginald, or Reggie as his family called him, had as of yet not married. He was decent to look at, Cathryn supposed, but his nose pointed too sharply and his eyes had a waned look about them. He had a personality, though, that she found made up for his lack of good looks. She found him quite amusing and entertaining.
“I need to warn you, cousin, they are in the midst of marrying you off,” Reggie said at the first opportunity Grandmamma wouldn’t overhear his words. “With your looks and money, it won’t take long I imagine.”
“And if I have no desire to be married off?” Cathryn countered.
“Ah, you’re going to break Grandmamma’s heart if she isn’t allowed to match make with you, Cathryn,” he teased. “She has talked of nothing else for the last year after my sisters were married, mind you. Besides, it takes her mind off of me.”
She laughed and found she could never take Reggie too seriously. But she took his warning in earnest about Grandmamma’s desire to marry her off, for she realized that her grandmother’s aspirations for her were different from her own. She never mentioned her lieutenant to her grandmother as a suitor, not yet at least. She would be patient.
She had written her father numerous letters, but had only received one back. One he wrote before he had known she had arrived safely. Communication took a great deal of time which frustrated her to no end, but she had been so busy with all the fittings that needed to be accomplished before she could be introduced. Even though the season had already begun, her grandmother didn’t see the sense in holding Cathryn back. She was certain she would be a success.
Her grandmother had cautioned her only about being too familiar with the servants, but her grandmother took well to little Mary as her companion. It had been decided that Mary would move in with Cathryn when Mrs. Peterson left next month. Her grandparents had even had the Montgomerys over for dinner to thank them for looking after her.
Cathryn had only slipped once concerning her Lieutenant Pennington. It happened while going over the guest list for the ball…unfortunately it had been in front of Reggie.
“I know no one you have mentioned, Grandmamma. Of course, it would be surprising if I did. I
“I agree, my dear. I feel so much better with you safely on our shores. We have heard dreadful things about the colonies as of late. And now that you are here, we will have to get to know each other.”
Cathryn spent the next few hours detailing her youth to her grandmother, talking endlessly about Elm Bluff and her father, but never did she mention Sumner or Juriah, knowing well to hold back on the information.
“You have so many relatives to meet, Cathryn. You have your Aunt Esmeralda, Uncle Richard and, of course, cousins. They have heard so much about you. We have such plans for your visit, especially hoping that you will extend it longer than what your father requested. I can’t imagine you going back with the troubles they are having across the ocean,” her grandmother said.
“Have they begun? I know only that Father was concerned about the situation. He wouldn’t talk much to me about the rising conflict,” Cathryn confessed.
“As well he shouldn’t,” her grandmother interjected. “It is not for your ears. Now you are here, you need only to worry about the plans we have made for you.”
Within the week she had met her mother’s brother Richard and his wife Esmeralda. Their three children were older than Cathryn. Their two girls, Cecilia and Drusilla, were both married. Cecilia, Cathryn understood, was expecting her first child and wouldn’t be able to meet Cathryn at this time for she lived up North. Drusilla was in London for the season, had no children, and didn’t live far from her parents in the summer house in Devon.
Their only son, Reginald, or Reggie as his family called him, had as of yet not married. He was decent to look at, Cathryn supposed, but his nose pointed too sharply and his eyes had a waned look about them. He had a personality, though, that she found made up for his lack of good looks. She found him quite amusing and entertaining.
“I need to warn you, cousin, they are in the midst of marrying you off,” Reggie said at the first opportunity Grandmamma wouldn’t overhear his words. “With your looks and money, it won’t take long I imagine.”
“And if I have no desire to be married off?” Cathryn countered.
“Ah, you’re going to break Grandmamma’s heart if she isn’t allowed to match make with you, Cathryn,” he teased. “She has talked of nothing else for the last year after my sisters were married, mind you. Besides, it takes her mind off of me.”
She laughed and found she could never take Reggie too seriously. But she took his warning in earnest about Grandmamma’s desire to marry her off, for she realized that her grandmother’s aspirations for her were different from her own. She never mentioned her lieutenant to her grandmother as a suitor, not yet at least. She would be patient.
She had written her father numerous letters, but had only received one back. One he wrote before he had known she had arrived safely. Communication took a great deal of time which frustrated her to no end, but she had been so busy with all the fittings that needed to be accomplished before she could be introduced. Even though the season had already begun, her grandmother didn’t see the sense in holding Cathryn back. She was certain she would be a success.
Her grandmother had cautioned her only about being too familiar with the servants, but her grandmother took well to little Mary as her companion. It had been decided that Mary would move in with Cathryn when Mrs. Peterson left next month. Her grandparents had even had the Montgomerys over for dinner to thank them for looking after her.
Cathryn had only slipped once concerning her Lieutenant Pennington. It happened while going over the guest list for the ball…unfortunately it had been in front of Reggie.
“I know no one you have mentioned, Grandmamma. Of course, it would be surprising if I did. I
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