AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“As do I, for I despise that set of people who have more coin than brains.” A fair amount of bitterness clung to his words as he hid behind his paper.
What had occurred in his life to make him have that attitude? “I think it would be rather nice to experience that world just once,” she said in an effort to make conversation. The longer they spoke, the easier it was for her to maintain the silly daydreams more appropriate to a girl just out of the schoolroom. But he’d been kind to her last evening, and his teasing had made her feel as if she wasn’t the plain woman she knew herself to be.
There had even been that slight pause where she thought he might have kissed her… But of course, that would never happen. Especially to her and at her advanced age.
Obviously, wishful thinking on her part.
“Humph,” was his reply. When she thought he’d return to reading from the paper, he folded it. “What are you working at over there?”
“Oh, it’s a set of handkerchiefs.” She held up her project for his inspection. “See how I’ve put the initials in one corner? I’m using black, gray, and silver thread so it won’t be garish. More suited for a male.”
“For whom do you toil? I wasn’t aware you had a suitor.”
“I don’t.” Heat went through her cheeks. How embarrassing to admit! “These are for Luke.”
“What?” The captain’s eyebrows raised into his hairline. “Why?” Surprise etched over his face. “You barely know him.”
“That doesn’t matter.” She couldn’t help her smile. “Why should I not? You’ve adopted him. He’s part of your family, and I am too—at least peripherally.” Was that too presumptuous? “Besides, the boy has a habit of wiping his nose and mouth on his sleeve. If you’re trying to teach him the manners of a gentleman, these handkerchiefs will help.”
“Yes, I suppose you’re right.” He finished folding the newspaper then laid it at the small round table at his elbow. “Thank you, Miss Cowan. That’s quite kind.”
Another round of embarrassment went through her, for she wasn’t used to finding herself the center of a man’s attention. “I’ve made a set for your mother, but I suspect she won’t use them.” After she finished with Luke’s set, she would do another for the captain. Everyone should be remembered at Christmastide, at least in a small way.
His sensual lips curved downward into a frown. “How do you know that?”
Felicity uttered an unladylike snort. “I’ve made similar gifts for her these past three years. Your mother never uses them, no matter what the items are. Instead, she gives them to her maid.” Last year, she had cause to witness that for herself. The maid had been embarrassed, but Felicity had merely shrugged and told her to use the embroidered petticoat in good health.
“My apologies for my mother’s rudeness.” His eyes reflected how appalled he was. “She needn’t be like that, but I suspect she enjoys it too much.”
“Indeed, she has her quirks, and I like her.” Felicity shrugged. “I’m glad someone has the good of the gifts she’s cast off. In her own way, I’d like to think she appreciates the effort.”
“You and me both, on many things,” he said almost to himself. Then, with a shake of his head, he caught her gaze. “Why is gift giving so important to you?”
For whatever reason, she wished to share a part of her history with him. “My father always gave my mother little gifts—trinkets or tokens of his affection—for seemingly every occasion that commemorated a milestone in their lives, both together and apart.” Felicity laid her handiwork in her lap. “It made my mama happy, especially since she’d had so many problems conceiving or trials in bringing a live infant into the world.”
Oh, dear, I hadn’t wished to share that much.
“I’m sorry to hear that.” The soothing tones of his voice brought her gaze back up to his. Compassion and a trace of embarrassment pooled in those blue depths. “Producing offspring is an enormous feat. I have nothing but respect for women who can do so successfully.”
“Yes.” The word was barely audible. How would he feel about her when she suspected her mother’s traits would have likely been passed down to her?
“You lost your mother, didn’t you?”
“I did.”
“That must have been difficult, at such a young age.”
“Not so young.” Her laughter was a tad hysterical. “I haven’t been young for a long time, Captain.” Even now, time insisted on passing her by and she was powerless to stop it. If she were honest with herself, she’d never realize the dreams she had for her life. How could she? “But, that’s how the world is. Fate gives opportunity and luck arbitrability. It seems the people with better connections and more coin have more fortune.” Her voice wavered and she dropped her gaze to her fingers. “In any event, that was ten years ago. My brother also perished at that time.”
“You have my condolences, Miss Cowan.”
To her mortification, tears filled her eyes. On a usual day, she didn’t dwell much on what she’d lost in life, for most of her attention was taken up with trying to survive the present, of worrying over her future. It was only when she allowed herself to remember that grief came pouring in, and she experienced that loss all over again.
“My existence was irreparably changed that day. I no longer had a mother to talk with, and Papa was busy running his business.” She traced the initials she’d embroidered on the handkerchief as her cheeks heated with embarrassment for sharing something so personal with a veritable stranger. “That’s why I believe everyone should know a little happiness in life. It makes the rest of it bearable, and if I can do that for the people around me, I will.”
What will he think of you now, silly goose? Desperate and a watering pot besides.
“Except, my mother is resistant to your efforts of making life better, or at the very least, happier.” He rubbed a hand along his jaw. “God, I don’t know how you’ve lived with her these last three years. As much as I love her, I was never so glad as to get away to the sea and be my own man.”
