Echoes of a Promise Read Online Free PDF Page B

taken his gaze from her face. ‘And when is the Fortitude due to sail?’
    ‘It will be some time yet before the shipwrights have finished and we get the masts up,’ Peter answered, moving his chair closer to hers. ‘After that, we need to find a crew, get the ship rigged, then make a run down the Channel to see how she handles in the Atlantic swell.’
    Aunt Honoria smiled at the men. ‘It all sounds most exciting. I’m sure Victoria would love to see the work going on at the shipyard, wouldn’t you, dear?’
    ‘We’d be honoured to introduce you to the Fortitude , Miss Shelford,’ the captain said, ‘though I must warn you that with shipwrights still crawling all over her, it won’t be safe to escort you on board yet.’
    ‘Thank you, I quite understand – and I promise not to get in anyone’s way. Would it be convenient if I walked down tomorrow afternoon?’
    ‘Yes, please, do come.’
    It was Peter Latham who spoke, and it was not simply his words, but the enthusiasm in his tone that sent a ball of excitement bouncing through her.
     
    ‘Do you know, my dear, I don’t think I’ve felt so well for months as I do at present.’ Lady Honoria chuckled while Victoria fussed about arranging her lace-trimmed pillows at bedtime. ‘Now whisper to me, m’love, have you ever before met a young man as charming and handsome as Peter Latham?’
    ‘Yes, of course I have, Aunt. London is full of handsome—’ She blushed.
    ‘But did any of them make your heart beat the way it did today when Peter Latham smiled and pulled his chair closer to yours?’
    ‘Aunt Honoria, how can you possibly know— Oh, dear, was I so obvious?’
    ‘I was delighted to see the glow that came into your eyes, dear girl.’
    Victoria perched herself on the edge of the bed. ‘A glow? No, whatever you saw in my eyes today was pure terror .’ She gave a little self-deprecating huff. ‘You know that I’m not the sort of girl who – who melts at the touch of a man, yet from the moment I met Peter Latham this afternoon, I felt myself being drawn to him. Never before in my life have I experienced such an extraordinary sensation. And, yes, it did terrify me.’
    A smile played around Honoria’s mouth. ‘Why should it do that?’
    ‘Why? Because I have met him only briefly and I’ve absolutely no idea who he is. There’s been no time to learn anything about his background, or his character, or – or—’ A flush swept into her cheeks. ‘In any case, how could I permit myself to even think of getting to know him better when he’ll be sailing away in a few weeks and not coming back for two years?’
    Honoria raised her brows and clicked her tongue.
    Victoria sniffed, then let out a long sigh. ‘Oooh! Why shouldn’t I beterrified of my emotions when Peter Latham and I have only just met and I know nothing about the kind of man he really is – and yet, despite all that, I can’t get him out of my mind. I know I’m being ridiculous. It’s all happening far too suddenly. It’s totally unreasonable.’
    ‘Oh, my poor darling, do you think that love always provides a reason?’
    ‘Well, it should, because I’d like to know why it is that, if I close my eyes, I can see him waiting for me there on the edge of a great cliff. And, yes, he’s charming and handsome and he excites me, but if I allow myself to move any closer I could very well tumble over the edge with him. And who knows what might be waiting at the bottom.’
    ‘Hmm, I see. What a sensible answer that is, Victoria. You sound just like your mother.’ Honoria squeezed her hand. ‘My darling girl, life is all about taking chances and you must never be afraid to grasp whatever joy it offers along the way. Yes, there’ll be disappointments sometimes, even sadness. But I’ve learned that the shadows have a way of making the rest of life seem all the more brilliant.’
    Victoria lay in bed that night with images of a young, handsome mariner dancing through her brain. All