Midnight Pearls by Debbie Viguié Read Free Book Online

nothing wrong with that.”
    “I guess,” Pearl whispered, unconvinced. She took a breath and pressed further. “Where do you think I came from?”
    “My, you’re full of questions today.”
    “Haven’t you ever wondered?”
    Mary set the goose down hard and stared into Pearl’s eyes. “No, I haven’t. You were a gift from God, a child He wanted to be protected, and that was all I ever needed to know. You worry too much, Pearl.”
    Pearl nodded, recognizing the tone in Mary’s voice and knowing there was no use trying to talk to her more about it. It has to be painful for her when I ask such things, a reminder that she’s not my birth mother. A wave of remorse swept over her. “I’ll go wash up so I can help you.”
    “Pearl.” Mary’s voice trembled slightly. “I love you. I couldn’t love you any more even if I’d given birth to you. Sometimes I think I love you more because I didn’t. You are the most precious gift I ever received. We want only your happiness.”
    “I know, Mama,” Pearl answered softly.

    The rays of the setting sun seemed to touch the ocean. Pearl knew that she should probably be getting home, but James still hadn’t said a word, just paced up and down the sand. Her eyes followed him as the fading sunlight danced across his black hair. He must have come straight from dinner. He was still dressed in all his castle finery, and it unnerved her a little. Sometimes she almost imagined that he was two different people: the prince of Aster, and her friend James.
    “How was your day?”
    She jumped at his voice and laughed shakily. “Well, I embarrassed myself in the marketplace and had to face Thomas.”
    “Thomas?” His brow furrowed in thought. “You mean the blacksmith?”
    “Yes.”
    “I’m afraid I don’t understand. Was he cruel to you?”
    “No.” She took a deep breath. “Last night my father told me that Thomas had asked for my hand in marriage.”
    “What! He’s like a hundred years older than you!”
    She couldn’t help but laugh at his exaggeration. “I know.”
    “You refused, of course.”
    She hesitated long enough that he spun around and locked eyes with her. She sighed. “It’s not that simple, I’m afraid.”
    “Of course it is. You just say no. That’s all there is to it.”
    “No, that’s not all. If I am to be a dutiful daughter, I should accept. He is … a kind man and I … I would always be provided for.”
    James’s eyes narrowed and he pursed his lips. He stared at her long and hard, and it unnerved her. She wanted to look away but couldn’t; there was something in his eyes that shot through her. He stepped close to her suddenly. “Is Finneas forcing you into this?” he asked, grasping her upper arms.
    “No. I know he thinks I should accept, though,” she answered, shaken by his intensity.
    James barked a short laugh. “Ha, you can do much better than Thomas.”
    Pearl felt tears welling up in her eyes. “Look at me, James.”
    He did, staring deeply into her eyes. His hands still grasped her arms, and she realized with a shiver just how close he was standing to her. Another step and she would be in his arms.
    She swallowed hard, forcing herself to continue. “All the other girls my age are married. Thomas is the first one to ask for my hand … and there won’t be any others.”
    He released her and stepped back. “Of course there will be,” he said, with the ease of someone always surrounded by possibilities and a variety of choices.
    It was moments like this when she felt how different they really were. Any woman would gladly marry a prince; James could have anyone he wanted. She, on the other hand, was just the daughter of a poor fisherman, with a strange appearance and dismal prospects. Frustration welled up inside her, “Look at me! Who else would want a wife who looks so strange and who is constantly tripping over her own feet? Nobody, that’s who! It’s not like I’m royalty that I can pick and choose whomever I