Forsters 04 - Romancing the Runaway by Wendy Soliman

Author:Wendy Soliman [Soliman, Wendy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Carina Press
Published: 2014-04-28T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

When they sailed into Looe harbour three days later, with a damaged mast and torn sails, they were greeted by a flat calm sea and almost springlike weather. Miranda stood beside Lord Gabriel on deck as the crew manoeuvred The Celandine into a sheltered position and lowered the anchor. Tobias ran around the deck, sniffing everything, as though he knew they were home.

“Who would have thought the weather would change so quickly. She looked up at the clear winter sky and hugged her arms around her torso. It was bright but still bitterly cold. “It must be an omen.”

“After the squall that we managed to stay ahead of—”

“If that was staying ahead of it, I’m very glad we did. Imagine how much more damage there would have been if we’d been caught in the middle of it.”

“I have to agree with you there.”

“Poor Jessie,” Miranda said smiling. “She’s only just now managed to get herself out of her bunk and still looks as pale as a ghost.”

“She’ll be fine the moment she steps ashore.”

“Let’s hope so. She only accompanied us for my sake. I hope she doesn’t blame me for her condition.”

The small harbour and the town itself—situated along a steep-sided valley—came into view. It looked picture-perfect on such a day, adding to Miranda’s conviction that nothing bad could possibly happen now that she was home at last. She breathed salty air deep into her lungs, threw back her head and offered up a silent prayer of thanks. The situation with Mr. Peacock had to have been a horrible misunderstanding. He would be pleased to wash his hands of her, saving himself the expense of her keep, and she would be left alone here in Looe to take up her rightful position as mistress of the Wildes. Somehow or other she would convince Mr. Nesbitt that was the way it had to be.

“We’re here,” she said, unnecessarily. “I did wonder at times if we’d actually make it. I ought to have had more confidence in the boat and in Wright and his crew. They were remarkably calm when the weather was anything but.”

“It’s their job,” Lord Gabriel replied. “I agree with you nonetheless. Can you see the Wildes from here?”

“No, it’s just over the other side of the hill,” she said, pointing in the appropriate direction since there were hills all around them. “However, we do have direct access to a small cove, almost like our own private beach, on the other side of that hill. Only two other properties can reach it.”

Lord Gabriel smiled as though he found her enthusiasm amusing. “It sounds delightful.”

“Shall we go ashore at once?” she asked.

“I’ll send Munford and one of Wright’s crew ahead with the baggage. They can procure suitable transportation from the livery yard—” He fixed her with an expression of polite enquiry. “I assume there is a livery yard in Looe.”

“Naturally. We’re close to the main road between London and Penzance and so the livery stables do a good trade.”

“Then

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