The Hellion Bride by Catherine Coulter

Author:Catherine Coulter [User]
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Romance, Fiction - Romance, Historical fiction, General, Romance & Sagas, Music
ISBN: 9781857974768
Publisher: Orion
Published: 1994-02-13T21:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER

12

The English Channel, seven weeks later

SOPHIE AND JEREMY stood side by side on deck, the fog-laden wind blowing into their

faces, tightly holding the wooden railing because the water was choppy, the waves

splashing high and rocking even the solid barkentine 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 in Fowey, but Ryder's home—Northcliffe Hall.

The trip had been long and uneventful. Captain Mallory and his first mate, Mr.

Mattison, both puff-chested Scotsmen 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 and

navigation, the first mate taught him geography and gave him access to his collection of

novels and plays that filled his small cabin 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 enthusiasm, 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 to Northcliffe 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 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. He

turned red in the face and actually sputtered at me. Even the top of his head turned red. It

was a remarkable sight."

Sophie chuckled. "Some of those plays are fairly racy.

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