Moontide Embrace (Historical Romance) Read Online Free PDF

Spaniard who had died, leaving her desperate. Bandera had been the issue from that marriage. Ursula had then married Louis Bou dreaux, and Liberty had been born to them.
    "Do you not think you will one day be pretty, Liberty Boudreaux?"
    Remembering the scolding she had just received, Liberty swallowed a mouthful of sweet potato before she answered. "No. Mother says the runt of the litter very rarely turns into a beautiful princess. I do not mind not being pretty, because I would detest having to go through all the rituals Bandera is forced to endure. She spends hours at her toilette each morning before she is allowed to come downstairs. She can never go abroad without a bonnet to protect her skin. At night she cannot go to bed without following a strict regime that my mother has drawn up for her. You cannot believe the torture she has to undergo each day. I believe it would be very tedious to be beautiful."
    Zippora frowned. "So your mother believes you to be the runt of the litter? What does your father think?"
    Liberty giggled. "My father is blinded by his love for me. He believes me to be a great beauty. He thinks I look like his sister whose name I bear."
    Zippora looked into blue eyes with long sooty lashes. The sprinkle of freckles across the bridge of Liberty's nose gave her the look of a precocious child. There was a hint of something beyond beauty. Perhaps it was the laughter in those blue eyes . . . perhaps it was the proud tilt to the head. Whatever it was, the old woman knew this young girl would one day grow into a real beauty, admired by all who met her.
    "I believe you are not a runt, but rather a bud that has not yet blossomed."
    Liberty wiped butter from her chin with the back of her hand. "Do you think so?" she asked, doubtful that Zippora's prediction would ever come to pass. She did not believe she would blossom into a beauty.
    The old woman frowned. "You will never be a lady if you act with such disregard for manners. Never wipe your mouth with your hand. I am appalled that your education has been neglected. How old are you?"
    Liberty hesitated for only a moment. "I—Today is my fifteenth birthday."
    Now Zippora read hurt in those blue eyes. "It is your birthday, and your mother and father have forgotten."
    "It isn't important. My mother is preparing for a dinner at our house tonight, and my father is in New Orleans."
    "I see. Perhaps you can spend the day with me and Reuben. Together we will make it a special day for you."
    "I must return home at once," Liberty said, coming to her feet. Slipping out of the borrowed robe, she pulled her gray gown over her head. "May I help you clean up?" she asked, stacking the dishes together.
    "No, it is your birthday. I will give you a present, Liberty Boudreaux. It was given to me by someone special many years ago when I was young and beautiful. It has brought good luck to me; perhaps it will do the same for you as well."
    Liberty watched the old woman take a bright red tin from the mantel and remove an object wrapped in blue paper. She held her breath as Zippora handed her a ring on which was set a huge pearl surrounded by several diamonds.
    "It is beautiful," Liberty exclaimed. "But surely you do not mean for me to take it?"
    "That is my intention."
    "I could never accept this ring from you. It is much too valuable," Liberty said, holding the ring out to the old woman.
    "Nonsense. It is mine to give, and I want you to accept it as a token for saving my grandson from the slavers. You will take it to please me."
    "I could not."
    Zippora took the ring and pushed it onto Liberty's finger. "My daughter is long dead, and my grandson will never have any use for this ring. I will like knowing it is on your finger."
    "But why me?"
    "I told you before, I have been watching you for a long time and I like what I have seen."
    On a sudden impulse, Liberty took the old woman's hand. "If it is your wish, I shall wear it for you. But should the time come when you want it back, you