The Pirate's Widow by Sandra DuBay Read Free Book Online Page B

                                                          
       When they reached the church, they found Sir
Thomas already there, standing by the lych gate.   The elderly sisters greeted him then went on
ahead into the church leaving him and Callie alone.  
       Sir Thomas’ dark eyes swept over
Callie.   “I am happy to see you out of
mourning, Caroline,” he said.   “But I do
not recall choosing this fabric.”
       “No, Sir Thomas, this is the gown I myself
bespoke when I went to see Mademoiselle LaSalle that day.”
       “Was there something amiss with the others?”
       “Nothing at all, they are beautiful.   It is only that I do not know why you should
have given them to me.”
       “I was pleased to hear that you were coming
out of mourning and a beautiful woman should have beautiful things to wear.”
       “I fear your gift has given rise to gossip
in the village.”
       He laughed.   “It does not take much to give rise to gossip in the village.   They love to whisper about the activities of
their betters.”
       “I do not like being the subject of false
rumor and it seems your gift has made them think there is some understanding
between us.”
       “Is it so difficult to imagine that there might
be an understanding eventually?”
       “Sir Thomas, if I have given you reason to
believe—.”
       “Come, Caroline,” he said, taking her gloved
hand and linking in into the crook of his arm.   “The service is about to start.   Would you do me the honor of sitting with me in my family pew?”
       “Which will fan the flames of rumors.”
        “For what do we exist but to entertain
others?”
       “Mrs. Louvain and her daughter are not here
today.”
       “No.   Venetia was not feeling herself today and Flora remained at home to care
for her mother.    Come.”
       As Sir Thomas and Callie walked down the
aisle toward the Sedgewyck family pew, Callie could feel the eyes of the
congregation following them.   When she
brought Jem to live here in this isolated place she meant for them to live
quietly, privately, attracting no attention that could give rise to rumors and
curiosity.   How could she hope to live
quietly when the richest, most powerful man in the area was paying her such
marked attention?
       And another, even more unwelcome thought
occurred to her as she stood beside Sir Thomas while the congregation sang the
first hymn.   What must Finn think of Sir
Thomas’ generosity?   She hadn’t seen him
for several days.   Was he avoiding
her?   Did he think she could be bought by
a man she hardly knew for the price of a few pretty dresses?
       “You are taking this all too seriously, my
dear,” Sir Thomas whispered, as the Reverend Mr. Dougless took his place at the
pulpit.
       “Am I?” she asked.   “I am the subject of gossip and rumor, sir,
much of it I am sure less than savory.   Are my favors to be purchased for . . .?”
       “Your favors?” he interrupted.   “Have I asked for your favors, Caroline?”
       Callie felt a flush creeping into her cheeks.   “No, but . . .”
       “I am not so vulgar, my dear, as to think to
buy my way into your bed.”
       “Sir Thomas!”
      “Well, that is what you seem to think I have
in mind.   Or what you fear the village
gossips may believe.   I do assure you if
I think to become more than your friend, I will rely on more respectable means
to earn your regard.   For now, let us
have done with this worrying and call the gowns what they are, a gift from a
friend.”
       “A very generous friend.”
       He shrugged.   “I am a very wealthy man, Caroline.   In the scheme of things they were not as generous as someone like you
might think.”
       Callie said no more wondering what Sir
Thomas would think if he knew she had a cache of pirate’s treasure at her
disposal.   In the crypt of the