The Hellion Bride - Bride 02 by Catherine Coulter

Author:Catherine Coulter
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2011-11-25T23:52:55+00:00

CHAPTER

12

The English Channel, seven weeks later

Sophie and Jeremystood side by side on deck,the fog-laden wind blowing into their faces, tight-ly holding the wooden railing because the water was choppy, the waves splashing high and rocking even the solidbarkentine with their force. Jeremy was nearly squealing with excitement because he'd been the first to see the English shoreline through the thick fog bank.Gravesend, he'd shouted. As for Sophie, she wanted to shout hallelujahs as the English coast neared. She felt equal parts of anticipation and belly-deep fear as she watched the billowing fog bank just off port. Nearly home, but not really hers and Jeremy's home inFowey , but Ryder's home—NorthcliffeHall.

The trip had been long and uneventful. Captain Mallory and his first mate, Mr.Mattison , both puff-chestedScotsmen who had nearly identical bald heads, had kept Jeremy and her entertained with the best tall tales they'd ever heard.

Sophie had tried to structure the days as best she could. She gave Jeremy French lessons an hour each morning. Captain Mallory tutored Jeremy in astronomy andnavigation, the first mate taught him geography and gave him access to his collection of novels and plays that filled his small cab-in to overflowing. Jeremy was nearly through the Restoration. As for Sophie, she too had nearly read her way through all the first mate's books as well. She occasionally wondered what she'd do when she turned the last page and closed the last book.

One afternoon several days before, Sophie and Jeremy were playing chess in their small cabin. A light rain splattered against the single porthole. The room was warm. Sophie played with verve and enthu-siasm, but not much strategy. Jeremy, on the other hand, excelled in patience and tactics. He invariably beat her soundly, but it was slow torture, and Jeremy was heard to groan frequently.

She said after she'd moved her queen's bishop, "We will be home soon. Rather, we will arrive in Southampton."

"Yes, Ryder told me that a carriage would get us toNorthcliffe Hall all in one day. He didn't want us to have to stop at an inn for the night because we're alone. He said I had to grow another foot at least before I could protect you properly." Jeremy smiled then and added, "Ryder's going to teach me how to fight."

"I'm delighted it pleases you so, but heed me, love, one doesn't necessarily need a man. I'm not a fool or Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

helpless."

"Of course you're not like most girls," Jeremy said, not looking up at her, his entire attention now on the position of his pieces and his burgeoning strategy. "Ryder said you'd say something like that. He also said that he was responsible for both of us now and that was the end to it."

"Perhaps you would like to discuss some of the plays both of us have read."

Jeremy easily accepted her change of subject. "I was reading one of the Restoration plays and Mr.

Mattison saw it. I thought he'd throw it overboard he was so upset.

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