Read Online The Hawk and the Jewel (Kensington Chronicles 1) by Lori Wick - Free Book Online

English."
    Brandon's brows rose on this, until he realized he'd never told her how excellent her command of the English language was. He was about to do so when Angus opened the door and held his hand
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    out for Sunny to alight. Brandon followed, realizing as he did that Sunny's doubts had raised a few of his own. As they moved up the steps of a lovely home, he prayed that all would go well in the next few hours.
    **your english is beautiful."
    Sunny beamed over the compliment and fell just a little more in love with her hostess. Cheryl Cosgrove was petite, dark, vivacious, and seven months pregnant. She was only seven years older than Sunny, and her sister, Judith Brompton, was engaged to marry Brandon's brother, Dexter. Cheryl had taken to Sunny with her hesitant smile and soft speech the moment she walked in. Until that moment Sunny did not realize how much she had missed female companionship.
    The four of them lunched together, and it was a lovely affair with mouth-watering dishes of every sort. Sunny found herself wishing she didn't have to go on to England, where she believed the food to be as bland as that which was served on the ship. She also preferred her hostess' dress to her own, with its puffed sleeves, full bodice, and rounded neckline. The beautiful forest-green satin fabric contrasted sharply with the heavy brown wool of her own.
    "Cheryl is right, Sunny," John commented now. "Your English is nearly flawless. How is it that after living so many years in Dar-habar, your English is so polished?"
    Sunny's chin rose in a way that was becoming familiar to all in her company. "It was my father's wish that I be well versed in all things English." Her pride for the moment caused her to forget the emir's betrayal.
    "So you've known all along where you were from?" This came from Cheryl.
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    "Since I was five. It was then I noticed the differences between my sisters and me. Indira was given permission to tell me when I asked her, and a few weeks later, my English lessons began. We studied for two hours every day, right up to my tenth birthday."
    "Who taught you?"
    Some of Sunny's confidence deserted her, and she went on in a hushed, troubled voice. "He was an Englishman. Until I came onto Brandon's ship, I thought the man was my Uncle Graham, brother of my dead father. I realize now that this couldn't be."
    John and Cheryl looked to Brandon for some sort of explanation, and he quietly told them Sunny's story of how she was found after the storm and taken to the emir as an infant. An uncomfortable silence fell over the room until Cheryl broke it with a gentle question.
    "You said that you were versed in all things English, Sunny. Please tell us about the rest."
    Sunny took the offered lifeline, effectively pushing from her mind the bearded English face of her so-called uncle.
    "I am familiar with all of your religious beliefs. They are of great interest to me, as I am more accustomed to everyone having the same beliefs. I am also trained in your history. England has warred with many nations. I do not like war. Darhabar is a peaceful country." The pride was back in her voice, and she smiled at her hosts.
    Listening intently, Brandon realized how much Sunny had told about herself in the last minutes. He had wanted to question her at times, but was reluctant to make her feel as though she were being interrogated. He knew that was the last thing she needed from him.
    Brandon praised God for Cheryl's gentle way of talking to her and the way Sunny seemed to blossom under the attention. Not many minutes passed before Cheryl was taking Sunny from the room to show her the baby's nursery. Breathing a sigh of relief after her exit, Brandon was ready for a break from his young charge.
    "Tell me, Hawk, how are things going?" John's question was as sensitive as the man himself, and even though they were alone, his voice was low.
    "I think they're well, but a few things bother me. I'm not sure if I should be checking into them