Deborah Hale by The Captain's Christmas Family

Author:The Captain's Christmas Family
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

No wonder the poor lady had not been able to fully embrace the joyous spirit of Christmas.

As the patter of Miss Murray’s footsteps retreated into the distance, Gideon stood frozen in the grip of pity and anger far too powerful for his comfort. He had experienced something similar when Harry Watson confessed to the bullying he’d endured. But those feelings had been tempered by the belief that he had the power to remedy the situation. He’d turned out to be wrong, but he hadn’t known that then. In this case, he knew very well there was no assistance he could render Marian Murray.

Whatever she’d suffered as a child at that charity school was over and done. But he sensed it had left wounds that might never fully heal, like the old injury to his hand that made it ache in certain types of weather. The scars on her spirit must trouble her more at Christmas, when the pervading happiness of the season created such a severe contrast to her childhood memories.

A potent conviction welled up in Gideon as he recalled the anguish in her eyes. He must do everything in his power to make this Christmas one on which she could look back fondly in future years. He must also encourage Miss Murray to confide in him about her experiences. After all, he felt much more at peace since he’d told her the truth of what had happened aboard the Integrity. The least he could do was offer a sympathetic shoulder on which to unburden her troubles. Knowing what she did of his past, surely she would realize he was better capable of understanding than most people.

He changed into his warmest clothes and ventured outside to join Miss Murray and the girls in the snow-covered garden. Sensing his unexpected appearance flustered her, he refrained from asking any more questions about her experiences at the charity school. Instead, he put aside his accustomed reserve and larked about with the children until he glimpsed a tentative smile on her lips.

Later, as they headed back inside to dress for Christmas dinner, he made a point of saying, “I hope it is understood that you must accompany the girls whenever they dine with me. While I have come to enjoy their company more than I ever expected, I am all too aware of my lack of experience with children. I am certain we will all be more comfortable together if you are with us.”

“Thank you, Captain.” She acknowledged his invitation with a curtsy. “Of course I shall supervise the girls at all times if that is what you wish.”

“It is.” He did not care to be reminded that Miss Murray would only join in the festivities as part of her terms of employment.

Remembering the mission he had set himself, to give Miss Murray as happy a holiday as her pupils, Gideon went out of his way to include her in table conversation while they ate Christmas dinner. To begin with, he banished the tall

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