The Fragrance of Her Name Read Online Free PDF Page A

was bound to Connemara House as long as Lauralynn was lost. And yet he encouraged her to leave, telling her that she needed to be away from him…to live life without the constant reminder that he was unable to be at rest. She had missed him sorely, longed for their talks and sleuthing adventures, missed his stories, his voice and the piercing blue of his eyes.
    Did she love him? Lauryn wondered at that moment. She had wondered that many times before. But today it was different. For the first time in most of her life she had been separated from the Captain. And she wondered, Do I love him ? Of course she loved him! More than almost anyone! But loving him didn’t mean she was in love with him. Yes, she loved him. But his heart belonged to Lauralynn and hers belonged to…no one.
    In fact, as much as Lauryn loved the Captain, as much as she desired to help him find Laura and his peace…she was lonely. It hadn’t been so noticeable when she was a child. But as she grew, matured and began to realize that someday, if all went well as she wished, someday the Captain would be at rest and she…she would be alone.
    In her adolescence, Lauryn had begun to wonder what would become of her. Who would she love? Would anyone love her? And as ever, after her parents had consoled and encouraged, there was the Captain to soothe her worries. And always he promised her happiness. She did not know how or if he could guarantee it…but she believed him.
    She believed in her dreams as well. Her dreams of finding the perfect man…that is, the man perfect for her. A handsome, rugged, strong man who would adore her the way the Captain did Laura. A man of intelligence and wit. A man who would desire to protect and keep her to himself. Often she spoke to the Captain of her “perfect man” and he would always smile and encourage her dreaming. But there was one day, one afternoon in particular, that something happened. Something that threw Lauryn’s very soul into a whirl as far as her future and her dreams were concerned. Never had Lauryn been able to decide if that particular moment with the Captain, that revelation, had been a profoundly good thing, or a destructive thing to her dreams.
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    "Now, tell me again," the Captain teased Lauryn as she demonstrated to him her progress in the cross over step while they waltzed in her bedroom one dreary, winter’s afternoon. "This perfect man you're always talking about, what's he like?"
    Lauryn closed her eyes and sighed dreamily. "Perfect!" she sighed. "Yet…at the same time, not so perfect."
    "How so?" the Captain asked as they continued to dance.
    "Well, he looks perfect, of course. Handsome and tall, just like you. Eyes that could burn a hole right through you when he's angry…or melt your very soul with enchantment when he’s passionate.”
    The Captain raised his eyebrows in a rather surprised expression.
    “ Oh, go on with you,” Lauryn scolded. “Passion is a good thing. And you know what I mean.”
    “ Are you meaning to tell me that you plan to kiss this man at some point?” he teased.
    “ Of course! Are you insane? Kissin’ is the moment when two souls are most met,” Lauryn sighed.
    “ Really?” the Captain chuckled.
    “ I’ll continue with my description now,” Lauryn stated, ignoring his teasing manner. “Dark hair…strong jaw…I can almost see him if I close my eyes.” Lauryn closed her eyes for a moment and once again tried to picture her dream of the man she would love. But as always the vision was just beyond her mind’s eye. Forever elusive.
    "What else?" the Captain asked and Lauryn opened her eyes again, smiling at him.
    Inhaling deeply, she looked past him dreamily and continued. "He'll always, always kiss me when he wants to or when I want him to…no matter who's lookin'…"
    "Is he a scoundrel then?"
    "Somewhat. All interestin' men are, you know, Captain," Lauryn giggled. "He'll cause me to feel safe, be witty and able to make me laugh, champion me when I