A Stranger's Touch by Anne Herries Read Free Book Online Page A

perhaps,’ he said and his eyes moved to Morwenna. ‘I must have had a reason for coming here, though as yet I cannot recall it, or my own name. I have asked that I be called Adam for the time being.’
    ‘As you wish, Adam. What will you do next?’ Jacques asked. ‘You can stay here until you feel able to leave, but Michael would not be pleased to find you still here when he returns.’
    ‘Your elder brother is averse to strangers?’ The stranger looked up as Morwenna ladledstew into the bowl in front of him. ‘Thank you, mistress. I am sure it will taste as good as it smells.’
    ‘Morwenna is a good cook. She needs a husband, someone to keep her in the manner to which she is accustomed,’ Jacques quipped, but his smile faded as his sister glared at him. ‘Sorry, I know you shouldn’t be waiting on us the way you do. It was merely a jest, dear heart.’
    Morwenna made no reply. She finished serving the others and then took her own place at the far end of the table.
    ‘I think I shall find somewhere else to stay tomorrow,’ the stranger said. ‘I wonder if I should stay here in the cove for a while in case someone comes to look for me. News of the shipwreck will have reached London by now, I dare say, and my family—if I have one—may look for me here.’
    ‘What makes you think they will hear of the wreck? Do you come from London, then?’ Jacques asked, his gaze narrowed.
    ‘I do not know if I have a family, but I must have friends, people who know me. I think it is in London that ships are registered when they founder. I feel that I may have come from there—just as I feel I may be an artist. I cannotknow anything for sure, which is why I perhaps ought to stay close until someone comes who can tell me who I am and whence I came.’
    ‘There is no need to leave for a few days. Michael will not return for a while. Stay here in case your fever returns. He has no need to leave, has he, Morwenna?’
    ‘He may stay until Michael returns if he pleases.’ She kept her gaze lowered. ‘It is no trouble to feed an extra man.’
    ‘That is kind. It would suit me to stay—if I may?’
    ‘We shall not hear of your leaving for a few days, until we are sure you have recovered,’ Jacques said. ‘‘Tis a pity the sea took your papers, for you might have known where to begin your search. If you feel you came from town, why not return to London when you are completely well and be seen there? If you are known, someone will hail you and you may find your family sooner.’
    ‘That was my first thought.’ The stranger glanced at Morwenna. ‘I feel I owe your family something, because your sister saved my life. Once I regain my memory I may be able to repay her in some way.’
    ‘Morwenna wants for nothing. She does not need your money, sir.’
    ‘Perhaps there are other things more important to Mistress Morgan. I may know people who would sponsor her in town so that she could find a husband best suited to her needs.’
    ‘She has a suitor if she wants one.’ Jacques threw him a challenging look. ‘Captain Bird would be happy to oblige, would he not, Morwenna?’
    ‘I will thank you not to discuss me at table—any of you.’ She glared at her brother and then at the stranger, surprising a look that might have been concern or sympathy in his eyes.
    ‘Help yourselves to bread and cheeses and the oatcakes. There’s honey if you want it, sir. I’m going up to my room. I’ll come back later to clear up, Bess.’
    She rose from her chair and walked from the room, her back very straight. Behind her there was silence until Jacques laughed.
    ‘I fear I have offended Morwenna,’ he said. ‘It was a mere jest, of course. Morwenna wouldn’t have that militiaman if he paid her his weight in gold.’
    Hearing the stranger laugh in response to Jacques, Morwenna smarted with anger andhumiliation. How dared the brother she loved and trusted discuss her in front of a stranger? How dared the stranger suggest that if he