Upon Your Return Read Online Free PDF Page B

murmured absently, suddenly captivated by his eyes again.
    “And you, Mademoiselle Bellamont?”
    “My name is Fara.” Her mother had named her, had claimed it was English for 'beautiful'. No one knew that except her mother and father. She supposed most people could guess it wasn't a French name, like Capitaine Hill's. But she refrained from telling anyone because she knew how odd the French acted about origins. If one wasn't entirely French in every way, there was something low about it. It was a narrow-minded and proud society.
    “Tis' a beautiful name, Mademoiselle .”
    “Thank you.” She frowned. “If you are the man who came to my rescue, then why did those sailors run away?”
    His eyes darkened with mischief. “They were cowards. Once they put you aside, they were quick to find out what an accomplished swordsman I am. One technique and they ran for their lives. There was no sport in it.”
    She looked away. Masculine conceit was not something she wished to indulge. Men, she chided, could be so like children at times.
    “Hmm...I see.” She managed a smile and looked up at him again. “I'm very grateful for your concern for my welfare.”
    “A lady in distress is worth it. I was, however, worried that you might be unconscious for much longer.” He frowned. “What were you doing out there so late? You should know it is dangerous by the docks at night.”
    “I know. I was to meet someone there.”
    “A man?”
    She nodded. “ Oui .”
    “Any man who directs a lady to that side of town at that hour is either desperate or an idiot.”
    She smiled. “Well, desperation comes to mind...”
    “Was he a suitor?” he inquired.
    Perhaps she had said too much. “Really, Capitaine Hill. I would not think it would be of interest to you.”
    “Call me Grant, Mademoiselle . I merely feel this man was in some way out to do you harm. Most civilized men would never lead you there.”
    “I fear I am somewhat responsible for being there.”
    An eyebrow rose skeptically. “’Twas not your suggestion surely.”
    “No, but I was not well acquainted with this man. He very well could have been crazy.”
    “And no doubt conniving.”
    “Yes,” she replied softly. “It seems he set me up.”
    He frowned. “They were hired?”
    She nodded. A long silence stretched between them, but it did not bother her. She was content to lie back among the pillows. Her head throbbed, and her jaw ached terribly.
    “ Mademoiselle --”
    “Fara.” His need for formality after all he'd done perturbed her.
    “Fara,” he repeated easily, and she couldn't help thinking how intimate her name sounded on his lips, like the gentle sigh of a lover. She winced. Dear God, what was the matter with her? She could not think such things, even if he was terribly attractive. “How long have you been in your uncle's care?” he asked.
    “Since my parents died...” Her voice broke on the note and she looked to the rafters for guidance.
    His hand curved around hers in a gesture of sympathy. “I am sorry. How did it happen?”
    “As a child, my father traveled often on business and for that one trip, my mother went with him. I was left in the care of my nursemaid for it was only to be a short while. On their way back from Turkey, their ship was taken by pirates. Few survived.
    “My parents never made it back to Marseille. I was sent to live here with my uncle in La Rochelle. The law claimed that I was to be placed in the home of the next of kin. I was eight then.”
    He pulled his hand away. “And now you are of marrying age...”
    “ Oui ,” she agreed, trying to pull away from the pain of the past. She blinked and then looked at Grant again.
    His dark eyes filled with regret before he glanced away. “I, too, was orphaned at an early age.”
    She grimaced. “How unfortunate for us both to have had this experience.”
    He nodded, but rushed on as if to shift the conversation away from the uncomfortable subject. “Have you no