The Sea Rose (Lords & Ladies of the Sea Book 1) by Mariella Hunt

Author:Mariella Hunt [Hunt, Mariella]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: www.mariellahunt.com
Published: 2023-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

Fifteen

Peter had forgotten all about Jimmy.

He had only been at the orphanage for two days and was dazzled by Rose’s presence. Nothing mattered to him but enjoying sweet moments with her.

When the watchman dropped in for a visit after dinner on the second day, Peter was jolted back to reality. He needed to stay in the watchman’s good graces.

Jimmy accepted a seat in one of the mismatched armchairs, balancing in his hand a chipped teacup Marie had offered him. Dark rings under his eyes denoted tiredness; Peter wondered if the man slept, or if he spent every free moment on watch.

“I’ve got to say,” said Jimmy to Peter, “I’m surprised to see you so cheery in a place like this.” He shot a pointed glance at Rose, who was busy arranging doilies.

Peter wondered if Jimmy could see the truth: Any happiness he felt in this district was due to her presence, her rare laughter, the clarity in her turquoise eyes. These details gave Peter a lightness he never felt with Meredith.

Was it was too soon to call the lightness love? If he hadn’t been in love before, could it be that he basked in the beginnings of it? Rose constantly slipped from his grasp like a beautiful dream; he could not fathom leaving without her.

Jimmy might have been able to guess all of this—he was a man, after all—but it wasn’t the sort of thing Peter would confide to him.

“It must be the sea air,” Peter said, taking the chair next to Rose. “I can breathe in this place.”

“Ironic,” said Jimmy. “You might feel that way because you have the liberty to leave.” His frank words quickly darkened the mood.

Peter bided his time, accepting a cup of tea from Marie. The redhead seemed determined to sit in for the conversation; once certain that everyone had their tea, she retreated to a corner and listened.

Peter felt that she and the other girls overestimated his importance. They hung on his every word as if hoping for a quote worthy of a storybook. If Peter’s life was a fairy tale, he was the cowardly prince who had fled from a damsel.

“Forgive my ignorance,” Peter said, staring into his tea. “My father being who he was, I ought to have paid attention. What happens if one of you escapes?”

“Depends,” Jimmy said gruffly. “Some of us have scales that are easily hidden with clever clothes. Those are the Mer who most often attempt to leave. Not all are so fortunate; my wife has scales on her right cheek.”

He motioned to a spot on his own cheek, as if feeling the mark on his wife’s body. After years together, perhaps they were linked.

“My wife could never leave this place; it would be suspicious if she covered her face with a scarf all day. I have never contemplated an escape; I won’t live without her.”

Peter nodded, solemnly. “Those who leave—where do they go?”

“We have ways. People know people who know people. A Mer who slips out must be scrupulous, never engaging with the wrong person.

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