Sail Away by Lee Rowan Read Free Book Online

dress and gentle in your manner. Even though your father does not give you a great deal of consideration, you love and defend him."
    "My father is kind to me, sir, and most generous. We disagree on some matters, but that is natural, I think."
    He smiled. “You prove my point. Furthermore, you keep a tidy house and your grandmother has called you the best housekeeper in Trenton. From what she has told me, you have been doing a woman's work since you were little more than a girl, without complaint."
    "Grandmama underestimates herself, then. I could not have managed without her."
    "That may be true, but I think it would have been difficult for her to have managed without you, as well. You are a superb cook, you manage the household with only one servant, you are well-read and I enjoy your conversation. If you also play a musical instrument—"
    "I learned to play the piano when I was a child,” she said. “My father has promised to bring one from England, when things settle down. He gave me a Spanish guitar three years ago, and I have learned to play it a little. Do you enjoy music, sir?"
    "Only singing. ‘Alas, my love, you do me wrong ... ‘” he began, and she joined in, “to cast me off discourteously...” They walked along singing Greensleeves , and Cynthia was certain that the townsfolk who noticed must think she had run mad. But it was worth their possible censure to learn that Paul did indeed have a marvelous voice, and not only did it tingle down to her toes, it produced extremely pleasant sensations in other parts of her anatomy. If she held his arm a little tighter than was absolutely necessary, he did not seem to be troubled by it.
    They nearly walked past the fishmonger's a second time, but Cynthia called a halt and procured the necessary victuals, a section of fresh halibut that would do beautifully for dinner. She introduced Commander Smith to Mr. Herbert and confirmed the rumor that the Lancaster family was indeed leaving Trenton.
    She had thought that the musical interlude and the stop at the fishmonger's had ended Paul's embarrassing catalog of her supposed merits, but she was mistaken. They were no sooner out of the shop than he resumed.
    "So, then, Miss Lancaster, on the subject of your virtues, I would say in conclusion that yours far outweigh those of young ladies who have cultivated only superficial charm."
    "And I would say that you are either a gentleman of acute perception, or a seriously deluded lunatic who has been at sea far too long!” she responded.
    "You are too modest,” he said. “I have only been at sea for some ten years."
    They walked along quietly for a time and were within sight of the house when Paul cleared his throat once more. “Miss Lancaster,” he said. “I realize this is extremely irregular—and I should have spoken to your father first, but I have spoken to your grandmother—and considering that you will shortly be leaving the area and I will in all likelihood be returning to England—"
    They had reached the door, and her heart was beating so fast she thought he ought to be able to hear it. “Just a moment, sir, if you please.” She quickly took the halibut into the kitchen and left it with Noreen for cleaning, then took Paul into the parlor. Oddly, her grandmother was not in her usual seat by the window.
    Paul looked at her, and in those deep brown eyes she saw the answer to her question. But he was a dutiful man, and continued with what he'd been saying as they arrived. “I do appreciate your father's concern for your safety, Miss Lancaster, and his intention to provide you with a suitable husband—"
    As interesting as it was to watch a man of such force and decision floundering so profoundly, Cynthia could tolerate it no longer. “Captain Smith."
    He took the interruption mildly. “Yes, Miss Lancaster?"
    "You have my permission to appreciate my father's decision on my behalf as well as your own, for I promise you, I do not appreciate it at all."
    He blinked