The English Lily (Tales of the Scrimshaw Doll)

The English Lily (Tales of the Scrimshaw Doll) Read Online Free PDF Page B

Book: The English Lily (Tales of the Scrimshaw Doll) Read Online Free PDF
Author: Kae Elle Wheeler
Tags: Regency
shoulder. He could feel her collarbone. “Lie back, Kendra. You are not quite ready to storm the ship, I fear.” He wanted to kiss her, if only to soothe his own relieved feelings after the terrifying hours of her illness. But he dared not.
    Her brow wrinkled. “I’m hungry.”
    Thank God.
    ****
    The next morning, Kendra felt almost new. The storms had subsided and her walk above decks left her winded, but, all in all, she felt quite ready to embrace the world. First on her agenda was a private meeting with one schoolmaster, Mr. Charles Thomas. She made her way to the top deck, desperate for the fresh sea air. They were to meet near the stern. She cared naught about the impropriety. ’Twas too late for that. Besides, there were plenty of crewmen about.
    “Lady Kate. You look none the worse for wear, my dear.” The gruff voice reminded Kendra of her late maternal grandfather, though Grandfather would not have grasped her hand in such an intimate gesture. And he would have let go.
    She tugged her hand from the Marquis Bute’s stubby fingers, shivering inwardly. “My lord, indeed, I feel like a new person.” She smiled, politely.
    “I’ve a matter of utmost import to speak to you. Mayhap, you’ve a spare moment?”
    “I’ve other business—”
    He took up her arm, most possessively, despite her protestations. His high-handed maneuver set her teeth on edge. The aggression with which he directed her sent a prickle of unease up her spine. His clasp, firm, allowed no quick escape.
    “Lady Kate, there you are. I understand you were desirous of speaking with me.” Charles Thomas offered a short bow, eyeing the marquis.
    Kendra swallowed and managed to disengage herself from Bute. He had no choice but to let go, lest he risk a scene. “Yes. Yes, I was, Mr. Thomas.” She turned to Bute. “If you will excuse me, my lord.”
    The marquis’ nostrils flared, fury obvious. The menace in his eyes frightened her. Surely he would not dare anything uncommonly bold before a witness.
    “Of course, Lady…Ken—Kate.” He tipped his hat and moved aside.
    A flicker of apprehension coursed through her, and she stepped back. He would be a dangerous man to cross. “If you would permit me time at a later date, my lord?” she said not meeting his eyes.
    “I shall look forward to it.” His voice conveyed a pledge she would have difficulty avoiding.
    Kendra clasped Mr. Thomas’s arm. Once she and Mr. Thomas were beyond sight of Bute, she said softly, “My sincere thanks, Mr. Thomas.”
    “I fear you may have provoked an adversary, Lady Kate.”
    “ ’Tis of no consequence,” she said, not without impatience. Relieved to find no one within earshot, she said, “There is another matter on which I wish your indulgence, sir.”
    “Of course. What is it you wish to know?”
    Kendra cleared her throat. Now that she had Mr. Thomas’s complete attention, a wave of heated embarrassment swept over her. “In the course of your career, have you ever run across—” She paused. “That is, have any of your pupils—” Kendra inhaled deeply and looked out over the open sea. Frustration filled her. How did one ask for help without sounding like a complete simpleton?
    “My dear,” he said gently. “I’ve no idea the question you wish to pose, but if it will appease your fears, please take heed that I have seen much in my decade of teaching.”
    “Yes, yes, of course, you have. It’s just a…a difficult subject for me to broach.” She took another deep breath and plunged forward. “I-I have trouble reading, sir. What I mean is, I don’t see letters properly. They shift from—well, from one letter to another. I’m certain this makes no sense...” Her voice trailed off at the humiliation of what she’d confessed.
    He nodded slowly. “Ah. I have seen this phenomenon on occasion.”
    “I am not…not stupid,” she said—a bit angrily, she was appalled to note.
    He smiled, a very kind smile that began to lessen her
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