The Bargain: A Port Elizabeth Regency Tale: Episode 2 by Vanessa Riley

Author:Vanessa Riley [Riley, Vanessa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gallium Optronics, LLC
Published: 2015-05-22T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven: Cabin Fever

Precious sat with her back to the firm mattress of the small bed in the women's cabin. She'd never been more pleased to be anywhere than on the floor of the women's cabin, reclining on the sturdy pallet. Taking a deep breath, she rejoiced, for she was out of Lord Welling's room, away from his irritating charm, and definitely out of his bed.

He said she begged for him to kiss her. Had she done that? Deep in her heart was there something inside that wanted what Eliza had; a beautiful son, a handsome husband?

She rubbed her neck, as if the shame could rub off. There was a small part of her that wanted happiness like Eliza. The day she tried on the emerald silk, she wanted to be like Eliza, but that never meant taking Eliza's place. She loved her too dearly, never wanted her hurt.

But kissing her Lord Welling? That must be wrong.

His kiss had been gentle. It wasn't sloppy or full of spittle. It was just right. And that made Precious sad.

She could never think of it again or act upon it. No more fodder could be shoveled onto that. All the crew, even her quiet cabin mate, Mrs. Narvel, had to think of her as a harlot. The captain's woman. Oh, why did she have to fall overboard?

Jonas's chubby palm lifted her chin. "Mamie sad?"

Precious gathered him up in her arms. "Not with you, sweet boy. I missed caring for you."

He surely had grown an inch on this voyage. Six weeks had passed since leaving London, but just two since her drop into the ocean.

Mrs. Narvel's voice floated down from the bed. "He's been an angel. It was my pleasure to tend to you both. Need to make myself useful before my time of confinement."

The lady crawled to the edge of the mattress and stretched, tapping Jonas's nose. The glow of the woman's tan skin had increased as her stomach grew. "Truly, I like helping. I was a governess before I married Mr. Narvel. I haven’t felt so useful since. Don't mistake my words; I love being a wife, I just don’t like being idle. Once the babe's born, I'm going see about helping with the missionaries. I want to help bring light to Port Elizabeth. I think that will help in Lord Welling's call for peace."

Nodding, Precious lifted another piece of biscuit to Jonas's lips. "Thank you for your kindness; I should've listened to you."

"Hoot." The little boy made another noise, blocking out Mrs. Narvel's acknowledgement or condemnation. That was all well and good. Precious couldn't hear so much over anger at herself. Well, at least she had a new nightmare of being sucked down into the abyss, instead of hungry Charleston eyes coming after her.

Mrs. Narvel leaned her head over. Her smiling gaze had become something Precious counted on seeing. Even with her own tiredness from the babe growing big in her belly, she took care of Precious when she was so weak.

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