Music for My Soul by Lauren Linwood Read Free Book Online Page A

She must hear what else that snake said about her.
    Bertrand snorted. “Her family’s name. Nevertheless, she is my master’s wife.”
    “What shall we do when she boards?”
    “Let her suspect nothing. Simply post a man outside her cabin. Confine her there until I arrive with additional help.”
    “And if for some odd reason ‘tis not whom you seek?”
    “I have paid for several men to watch the harbor. If she seeks passage on any ship from London, I will know of it.”
    “Very good,” replied the other man.
    Madeleine waited as the men shuffled off in the opposite direction. Her heart sank. Tears spilled silently down her cheeks. What was she to do? She could not board that ship, nor could she reclaim the vast sum the captain had charged to take her as a passenger.
    She huddled on the ground, her growing despair clouding her mind. She tried to think of a new escape plan, but she couldn’t focus. Her fear was too great. The bitter taste of defeat began closing in.
    She was startled when a young boy rounded the corner and ran smack into her. His eyes widened first with surprise, and then they glowed with mischief.
    “Evan! Evan, come out at once before I throttle yer bones, and ye know I will.”
    The boy put a finger to his lips, his eyes wide and playful.
    Madeleine started to rise, but he placed a hand upon her wrist and tugged her back down.
    “Evan, ‘tis the last time I take ye anywhere with me. Oh, go hop in the water and swim away with the mermaids, for all I care.”
    The boy burst out laughing at her words, and immediately a petite woman leapt from around the corner. She took a step back when she saw Madeleine crouched there. Then she spotted her son.
    “Evan, me boy, ye are the bane of me existence. If I could give ye back to God in His heavens, I would. I’d say to Him, ‘Mister God, me Lord, sir, ye’ve made a dreadful mistake. Ye meant to give me a good boy, I’m sure, but somehow me good lad was replaced. Instead, I’ve got the silliest rascal, a tyke descended from elves, no doubt. Could ye please let me return this imp?’ And Mister God will say to me, ‘Now, Gwenith, I only give ye what ye deserve.’ So of course, I’d say back to Him, ‘Mister God, I . . .”
    The boy squealed, throwing himself into his mother’s arms.
    “There, now,” she cooed to him. “Maybe God didn’t make such a mistake after all.”
    Madeleine watched all this in bewilderment. She rose, wiping her tears, then blurted the first thought that entered her mind. “You’ve got the most gorgeous hair!”
    The woman before her laughed heartily. “I’m delighted to find out ye like this red mop o’ mine. Gwenith’s me name.”
    Madeleine smiled at her. “I am Madeleine Bouchard.”  
    Gwenith grinned at her. “Pleased to meet ye, Madeleine Bouchard.” She poked Evan in the ribs.
    “Pleased ta meet ye,” the young boy echoed. “Mama, can we go now? Ye said ‘twas a nasty place here.”
    “And then why’d ye run off from me, lad?” Gwenith scolded.
    Evan considered this. “Why, to protect ye, o’ course. Ta keep all the bad ‘un’s away.”
    Gwenith’s rich laughter tinkled musically. “Ye are a scamp, me little one. A charming one, but a scamp, nonetheless.” She squeezed his shoulder affectionately as she glanced across at Madeleine.
    “Well, we must be off.” Gwenith began to turn as a tear slowly trickled down Madeleine’s cheek.
    Gwenith peered at her with concern. “Are ye lost, Maddie? Did ye fight with yer Mister Bouchard?”
    “No,” Madeleine said hastily. “Mister Bouchard is . . . well . . . he’s . . .” Her voice trailed off and suddenly her tears began flowing freely.
    “There, there, me girl,” the young woman said, and placed an arm around Madeleine’s waist as she balanced the squirming boy in the other. “Ye look like ye could use a friend, love.” She gave Madeleine a squeeze.
    “’Tis a long story”.” Madeleine sighed. “I find my plans have . . .