The Governor's Daughter (Winds of Change Book 1) by Jerri Hines Read Free Book Online Page B

you are different than I imagined.”
    “I’m not sure what your meaning is, Lieutenant. I am only who I am. If someone asked for help, do you not at least try?”
    “You are much as your father. Are you not?”
    A small smile emerged upon her face with the reference. “I feel I must apologize though, Lieutenant, for my behavior yesterday. I still don’t understand why I behaved in that manner.”
    “You have nothing to apologize for, Miss Blankenship. You were hurting. You cared and there is never any reason to apologize for caring. I hope to see you later.”
    He bowed slightly and reached for her hand. His hand lingered on hers. She shivered with his touch. Confusion suffused through her as she watched him walk away.
    * * * *
    Cathryn spent the majority of the next week within the fold of the Montgomery family. The boys, eleven and thirteen, were a bundle of energy ready to explode as they had fully recovered from their sickness.
    Despite the woman’s tendency to gossip, Cathryn discovered she enjoyed Mrs. Montgomery’s company. The woman loved her family. Although, Mrs. Montgomery acknowledged to Cathryn she lacked her nursing skills.
    “I have never had the ability to nurse others. Livy, my maid, has been with me since I was a child. She does such a better job than me, but you, my dear, you did a remarkable thing,” Mrs. Montgomery said while they sat upon the deck. “Of course, I should have never allowed you to help…but we won’t mention it to anyone.
    “You understand, I know. It wasn’t proper, but there wasn’t another option at that time, but people wouldn’t understand. Your father would frown upon it I am certain, but I’m no monster. That poor child. I don’t know what’s to become of her now. If she returns to Charles Town, what will be left for her?”
    “I have been thinking about Mary,” Cathryn said, turning slightly to get better light for her sketching. “Don’t you believe I may need a companion? I know she is young, but her being from my home, it would give me a sense of well-being.
    “I’ll be honest with you, Mrs. Montgomery. I am nervous about England. I don’t know anyone. I have family, I know, and will no doubt be well looked after, but do you think it may be a viable option?”
    “She could never be a chaperone, my dear.”
    “I understand, but I shouldn’t need one in reality. I have my grandmother. Since I’m only planning on being here a year, it would give Mary time to recover fully…to give her time to come up with other possibilities for her.”
    “You have a good heart, my dear, but let me check with Mrs. Peterson. What will your grandmother say to such a suggestion?” Mrs. Montgomery asked as she watched her youngest trying to climb up the mast. She reprimanded, “Peter, climb down from there. You’re going to fall. I don’t care if your brother dared you. Pray, Cathryn, excuse me for a moment.”
    From that day forward, time passed pleasantly. Mrs. Montgomery kept her word and talked to Mrs. Peterson. Mary, timid and shy, stayed close to Cathryn’s side.
    Cathryn had become her protector.
    The weather improved greatly, not even a sprinkle after the initial storm. The days were spent on the deck in the sun, reading and sketching. It was the nights that were the hardest.
    The passengers weren’t allowed to use lanterns for fear of fires. Cathryn learned to stay above deck until she had no choice but to retire.
    Moreover, a change had occurred in her relationship with Lieutenant Pennington, Jake, as she called him in private. She looked for him at certain times and found herself quite disappointed if he didn’t appear.
    She had the time to draw. She sketched the faces of the two young Montgomerys, which in itself took time, for neither would stay still long enough. Mrs. Montgomery seemed pleased with the results when she finished.
    When he wasn’t looking, Cathryn found herself sketching Lieutenant Pennington. He looked so handsome in the ocean sun