Read Online The Sea Maiden by Mary Speer - Free Book Online Page A

Harmon the next morning?”
    “Just tell them that I have a Scottish lover who I am very much in love with and that he came for me in the night so I ran away with him to the Scottish highlands.”
    “Karina I have never lied to your father, he will know it.”
    “Lynnette please stop your negative thinking and just do what I say, alright? Actually I wrote father a letter that I placed by his bed back at Pembroke Hall. It’s for him to read when he gets back. You can tell him it explains everything.”
    “What about Lord Harmon? He will want details about your lover what am I to say to him?” Karina was starting to lose her patience with her and placed her hands on Lynnette’ shoulder, trying to remain calm.
    “It does not matter darling make something up just don’t mention New England, Jonathan, Peter or the Sea Maiden! Please Lynnette I need your help and I need you to stay positive, can you do this for me?”
    Lynnette sighed in silence and nodded, then after a brief pause.
    “I just wish that I could go with you and Peter…but…I can’t leave mother, Tommy or Danny.”
    “Just keep in mind that I will come back, and so will Peter.” Karina assured her.
    “I really wish you didn’t have to do this Karina.”
    “I know darling but I have to try.”
    They squeezed each others hands when dinner bell rang.
    “Ready?” Karina said
    “Yes.”
    “Alright let’s go eat.”
    Lord Harmon sat at the head of the table; Karina and Lynnette sat next to each other with Karina on Lord Harmon’s left next to him.
    “I’m afraid your father will not be joining us. The medication Dr. Carrington gave him has caused him to fall into a deep sleep. I checked on him earlier and he looked peaceful. I will have his dinner brought to him if he awakens, he did have a biscuit and tea before he fell asleep.”
    “That’s very kind of you Lord Harmon, thank you.”
    Dinner consisted of a tasty cream soup, flaky biscuits and grilled salmon in lemon butter with steaming vegetables and boiled potatoes. Unlike Karina, Lynnette forgot her troubles as her eyes feasted on the meal before her doing her best to cover her rumbling stomach. Karina felt hungry also but her thoughts were elsewhere. The three ate and the servers filled their wine glasses. The meal was a delicious, but Karina had lost her appetite in contrast to Lynnette who delighted in the meal.
    “Lord Harmon, I was wondering if tomorrow perhaps Lynnette and I could visit some of the shops in town, like a seamstress or a tailor. You see Lynnette has young brothers and we both need to get some of our garments altered. If we could go early we could be back early.” Karina requested.
    “Why that’s an excellent idea, my dear.” He was happy to hear since he had business to attend to in the morning. “I do apologize that I cannot accompany you due to some business matters I must attend to but perhaps my assistant Clifton can accompany you. He knows this harbor town well. He will be done with some errands late morning will that be alright?”
    “Yes that would be perfect.”
    Karina smiled pleased with the outcome. Lord Harmon squeezed her hand and said,
    “I think things are going to work out just fine my dear.”
    Karina tensed but smiled back. She dismissed the awkward moment by focusing on her plan onto a good start. Lord Harmon went on talking about his plans to go to France for their honeymoon. Karina tried her best to seem agreeable and polite. The scent of cinnamon and apple pie filled the air as fresh baked apple pie was served. Lord Harmon reached out once more and caressed and kissed the back of her hand before releasing it.   Karina tried to hide her discomfort; she only had a small slice of the pie and left most of it. Lynnette on the other hand had another slice and was eyeing Karina’s unfinished one.
    “If you don’t want that just slide it over.” Lynnette whispered.
    They were a world apart Karina thought; of course Lynnette was not threatened