The Sea Maiden by Mary Speer Read Free Book Online

he would move a mountain for you so if you’re a true friend you must come with me to Harmon Hall tomorrow and help me find him!”
    Lynnette was dumbfounded when she realized Karina was referring to her new suitor, Peter.
    “You mean Peter? Karina I barely know Peter! Yes he seems very sweet to me but I don’t think he can help, and I would certainly never request anything of him.”
    “Oh Lynnette, he’s totally taken with you, you have more power over him then you realize. So just keep him interested and smile pretty. Gentlemen will do almost anything for a ladies approval and trust in the beginning, it’s the perfect time.”
    “Oh really and just how do you know all this?”
    Lynnette mocked, knowing Karina had never had a suitor.
    “Well Bessie told me; also I read several books on the subject.” Lynnette smiled as she was reminded of her romantic encounter with Peter the night before until Karina said, “Just don’t get too  physically familiar with him.”
    “Physically familiar? Karina I have only met with Peter three times, he’s still very much a stranger to me how could you think I will be getting  physically familiar with him?” Lynnette said sounding offended.
    “Lynnette that breathless kiss you shared with him is definitely getting familiar.”
    “Excuse me but that was totally unexpected on my part! I never encouraged it!”
    “No but you enjoyed it and that will start breaking down your resistance so stop sounding offended Lynnette, I need you to be in control that’s all, or you’ll be like a small mouse in front of a hungry cat. It will work in your favor trust me. Right now you have a certain amount of power over him, and I want you to use it. Wait! When did you see him a third time?”
    Karina turned and looked at Lynnette and Lynnette realized she said too much.
    “Well he came by again yesterday evening around sunset.   I meant to tell you but you were so upset. We did get a little romantic but I kept things under control…and NO, I did not get physically familiar with him!”  
    “Lynnette, be careful! He’s a ship bound seaman…they don’t spend much time on land he could be very aggressive with you. So be sweet but keep him at arms-length.”
    “Well…that shouldn’t be too hard, he left.”
    “Yes…but you will see him again soon…that is  if you come with me to Harmon Hall tomorrow. You want to see him again don’t you?” Karina tempted. “So can I count on you to come with me to Harmon Hall tomorrow and help me get to New England?”
    “It sounds crazy Karina. What if you get caught and we both end up in a lot of trouble?”
    “Lynnette relax don’t think like that.  I have a plan and all you have to do is not think like you always do. Think about Peter he is so handsome and he is so smitten with you.” Karina tempted.
    Lynnette sighed thinking of their last encounter. “So you think he’s really smitten with me not just toying with me?”
    “Absolutely!”
    Lynnette smiled and nodded, “Of course what kind of a friend would I be otherwise?”
    Karina embraced her, nearly knocking her off balance.
    “Thank you Lynnette I will never forget this.”
    It worked, Karina congratulated herself. Now she could concentrate on planning other things.  She only had a narrow window of opportunity for her plan to work. Like pieces to a puzzle they were all needed. Going to Harmon Hall was the next important one.
    “So what do you have in mind?”
    “Tonight we prepare for the trip to Harmon Hall. We will be leaving very early tomorrow and you must not tell your mother anything other than you’re accompanying me and father for a few days. We will talk about this tomorrow. For now we must prepare for the trip, now go!”
    Both girls parted, Karina full of anticipation, Lynnette petrified, she wanted to see Peter again but she definitely had to be resistant to his seductive charm.

CHAPTER 8
Journey to Harmon Hall
     
    Early Wednesday morning a