deep brown eyes kind. "Are you a friend of Jocelyn's?" she asked. "I do love meeting new people."
"My name is Ahaziel."
"He's Siuslaw," Jocelyn interjected. "Not many of them left around here. Smallpox, you know."
Ahaziel smiled quietly and gave a little bow to Phillipa. He even did the same when introduced to Leah. Eve wondered why he had not extended the same courtesy to her. Had Jocelyn said something unfavorable about her? She would have to question her brother thoroughly later. She would find out everything about Ahaziel.
"Let's eat now," Jocelyn said. "I'm absolutely starved."
They all sat down on the blanket. The wind roared past the cave opening but it never slipped inside. Phillipa opened the basket and passed around little sandwiches the housekeeper had prepared. Ahaziel quietly turned one down, which was just as well since there were only four. Eve watched him as she ate. She noticed how his eyes kept straying to the opening, out to the sea, though sometimes he would gaze stoically at her. To all he was very polite and considerate, a perfect gentleman.
But Eve thought maybe he wasn't a gentleman at all—his eyes gave him away. No one else seemed to notice, but she had been watching him carefully, covertly, taking note of his expression, and she felt certain his calm, controlled exterior concealed something volatile.
Though she had planned to dazzle him with whatever wit she could muster, she remained quiet the duration of the picnic, answering only briefly whenever anyone addressed her. Afterward, as they packed up and prepared to go home, she hated herself for not having made more of an effort with him. But when they walked back up the beach she heard him tell Jocelyn he would call in the morning. She would make sure she saw him then, and with any luck she would even be able to initiate a satisfying conversation.
When they reached the house Leah and Phillipa walked back to their homes, nearer to town than Eve's. Ahaziel, after exchanging a few parting pleasantries with Jocelyn—ignoring Eve completely—took off on foot through the woods. He walked regally, as if he didn't mind the distance ahead of him, his back straight and strong. Eve watched him go ruefully, lost in imaginings about how she would win him over.
As soon as the road took him out of sight she snapped back into herself and hurried inside. Esmond would be at the lighthouse, where thankfully he spent the better portion of every day and night, and Eve's mother was resting upstairs. She stopped in for a brief conversation, always concerned about her mother's weak disposition but powerless to do anything except deliver broths and teas. Sitting in the dim room by the bedside made her feel sad but she tried not to dwell on unpleasant things. Her mother would get well, of course.
Leaving her mother's bedside, Eve continued to her own room. She curled up on her bed and thought about Ahaziel. He was so unusual. She could easily imagine his strong, lean arms holding her at night. How wonderful life would be. If he asked to marry her, she'd insist they move somewhere far away. To the opposite ocean, perhaps. She'd never set foot in Oregon again. If Jocelyn wanted to see her he'd have to travel. As for her mother . . . Well, it would break Eve's heart, but sacrifices would have to be made in order to obtain freedom.
Footsteps sounded in the hall. Eve jerked awake. It was dark outside; she must have been asleep for hours.
The footsteps stopped just outside her door. She lay on her back, eyes closed as she feigned sleep. She tried to appear as sexless as possible. She kept her breathing low and even. She wanted him to go away. She wanted to scream.
Now the door was opening, now the footsteps were advancing into her room. She could hear the faint rustle of clothing as he undressed just enough to get his business done. Her chant was silent, the same every night: Go away, go away . . .
"I know you're awake, Eve," Esmond Havelock said. "You always
"My name is Ahaziel."
"He's Siuslaw," Jocelyn interjected. "Not many of them left around here. Smallpox, you know."
Ahaziel smiled quietly and gave a little bow to Phillipa. He even did the same when introduced to Leah. Eve wondered why he had not extended the same courtesy to her. Had Jocelyn said something unfavorable about her? She would have to question her brother thoroughly later. She would find out everything about Ahaziel.
"Let's eat now," Jocelyn said. "I'm absolutely starved."
They all sat down on the blanket. The wind roared past the cave opening but it never slipped inside. Phillipa opened the basket and passed around little sandwiches the housekeeper had prepared. Ahaziel quietly turned one down, which was just as well since there were only four. Eve watched him as she ate. She noticed how his eyes kept straying to the opening, out to the sea, though sometimes he would gaze stoically at her. To all he was very polite and considerate, a perfect gentleman.
But Eve thought maybe he wasn't a gentleman at all—his eyes gave him away. No one else seemed to notice, but she had been watching him carefully, covertly, taking note of his expression, and she felt certain his calm, controlled exterior concealed something volatile.
Though she had planned to dazzle him with whatever wit she could muster, she remained quiet the duration of the picnic, answering only briefly whenever anyone addressed her. Afterward, as they packed up and prepared to go home, she hated herself for not having made more of an effort with him. But when they walked back up the beach she heard him tell Jocelyn he would call in the morning. She would make sure she saw him then, and with any luck she would even be able to initiate a satisfying conversation.
When they reached the house Leah and Phillipa walked back to their homes, nearer to town than Eve's. Ahaziel, after exchanging a few parting pleasantries with Jocelyn—ignoring Eve completely—took off on foot through the woods. He walked regally, as if he didn't mind the distance ahead of him, his back straight and strong. Eve watched him go ruefully, lost in imaginings about how she would win him over.
As soon as the road took him out of sight she snapped back into herself and hurried inside. Esmond would be at the lighthouse, where thankfully he spent the better portion of every day and night, and Eve's mother was resting upstairs. She stopped in for a brief conversation, always concerned about her mother's weak disposition but powerless to do anything except deliver broths and teas. Sitting in the dim room by the bedside made her feel sad but she tried not to dwell on unpleasant things. Her mother would get well, of course.
Leaving her mother's bedside, Eve continued to her own room. She curled up on her bed and thought about Ahaziel. He was so unusual. She could easily imagine his strong, lean arms holding her at night. How wonderful life would be. If he asked to marry her, she'd insist they move somewhere far away. To the opposite ocean, perhaps. She'd never set foot in Oregon again. If Jocelyn wanted to see her he'd have to travel. As for her mother . . . Well, it would break Eve's heart, but sacrifices would have to be made in order to obtain freedom.
Footsteps sounded in the hall. Eve jerked awake. It was dark outside; she must have been asleep for hours.
The footsteps stopped just outside her door. She lay on her back, eyes closed as she feigned sleep. She tried to appear as sexless as possible. She kept her breathing low and even. She wanted him to go away. She wanted to scream.
Now the door was opening, now the footsteps were advancing into her room. She could hear the faint rustle of clothing as he undressed just enough to get his business done. Her chant was silent, the same every night: Go away, go away . . .
"I know you're awake, Eve," Esmond Havelock said. "You always
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