Liberty Hill (Western Tide Series) by Sonja Heisinger Read Free Book Online Page B

pulled her shawl tighter about her shoulders. For a moment, she watched for Lucius, but to no avail. He did not reappear.
    “Now, whom do you belong to, missy?” a gruff voice inquired.
    Evelyn did not bother turning around to see to whom the voice belonged. There were hundreds of men on this ship, not one different from the other in her opinion.
    This comment led to several others. Before long, it seemed as though every man in sight was gawking at her, remarking on her beauty, and inquiring into her identity. She rolled her eyes, but somehow, this seemed to encourage her admirers further. They wanted to know what she smelled like and leaned in for a sniff, then they wanted to know what she felt like and began to pinch her dress.
    “Enough!” she cried, exasperated. She raised her hand and slapped the nearest onlooker in the face. It did not matter if he was the one who touched her or not. The others would get the message.
    “Let’s not spoil her yet!” someone called. “We’ve got a bit of a sail ahead of us, gents.”
    The men laughed and a few lewd responses followed. Evelyn’s face flushed in anger and she sought an escape by kicking Lucius’ bag towards the railing, where she could gaze out at the docks and the many hands waving farewell as the ship cast off. There were plenty of women down there, and she wished she were among them. At least here at the rail, these men had to behave, for they were in view of their wives.
     
                As the ship emitted a throaty farewell, passengers flocked to the deck to witness the nascent of their journey. Evelyn received a few clumsy jabs from shoulders and elbows as men clustered around her, and she was on the verge of screaming in frustration when she discovered one of those elbows belonged to Lucius.
                “What are you doing over here, Miss Brennan?” he wondered. “Now you’ve moved and lost our spot! We shall have to sleep here, you know! Shoved up against this very rail! Everywhere else has been taken. I shall not take any blame if you decide to roll right off the ship.”
                Evelyn sighed.
                “Really, Mr. Flynn. As my guardian, it is your duty to sleep in between danger and myself. It’s high time you showed up, anyway. I cannot believe you left me alone with all of these hormonal dogs. They were after me not two seconds after you scurried off and their women were still waiting to bid them Godspeed from the docks! The nerve, I tell you!”
                “Oh, give it a rest, Miss Brennan. Once they hear how you complain they’ll have no more to do with you. That mouth of yours, as delicious as it may appear, is really your greatest defense.”
                Evelyn opened her lips to speak, but found she had nothing more to say.
                To the ignorant onlooker, the two seemed almost companionable as they watched the Steam Rose drift away from the docks. They stood side-by-side in silent meditation for many moments before Lucius spoke again.
                “I discovered something during my exploration of the ship that may be of great interest to you.”
                He watched her for a reaction, but she was playing aloof.
                “Oh?” was all she said.
                He thought her pride must be wounded, so he smiled to himself. Tormenting Evelyn Brennan was great fun, indeed.
                “Don’t you want to know what it was?” he asked.
                “Could you refrain from telling me if I didn’t?”
                “Certainly.”
                Lucius sealed his lips and continued to gaze out at the sea.
                Evelyn watched him, waiting, but he disclosed nothing.
                “Well, what is it?” she inquired impatiently. “Or do you expect me to beg?”
                “You’re begging now,” Lucius