The Sea Maiden by Mary Speer Read Free Book Online Page B

keep an eye on things as well as for its beauty. Karina was thankful for the convenience; having access to the ships in the harbor to aid her escape. She had to be careful, not to get caught; she needed to work fast and smart. According to Nate, whose daughter, lived near Harmon Hall, they would arrive early Thursday afternoon. The engagement dinner would be Saturday evening this meant she had Friday to try and find Peter. Karina planned to request a tour of the town for her and Lynnette to familiarize herself with the area. Once in town they would look for the Sea Maiden. Peter told them she would be anchored off shore for one more week before deploying. A perfect time to get on board without her father or Lord Harmon finding out but first she needed to find Peter. How hard could it be to find him in a small harbor town she wondered? She would hire Peter as her personal guide and travel companion, and have him go talk to his captain about letting her travel, as a passenger. If not possible, surely Peter would know which ships took passengers to New England.
    Before leaving Pembroke Hall she had gone through both her mother’s and Melissa’s old jewelry separating a few pieces belonging to her mother to keep in her memory. Karina anguished knowing Lynnette would not be traveling with her to New England. They were like sisters but Lynnette did not need to run from anything and her mother and two brothers needed her, also she needed to watch over Thunder and Storm. Old Jim would care for the horses but he didn’t ride them. She also wondered how Lynnette felt about her and Peter being constant companions throughout the trip. It would be a long trip but at least she could keep an eye on him for her, she reasoned. Unfortunately aside from Peter she knew no one else.
    Once in New England she would contact her brother Jonathan her greatest hope. The word brother, a positive but foreign sounding new word in her vocabulary made her smile. Together they could accomplish much she thought, but he would need to come back to England of course, at least for a short time. She intended to share the business with her brother she just hoped he was not opposed to the idea of women in business. Her father’s letter to her mentioned Lavinia, Jonathan’s mother, as being a successful businesswoman. Karina determined she could be one also given the chance.
    She had prepared a letter to her father explaining her actions and left it in a sealed envelope by his bed at Pembroke Hall. She also asked him to forgive her, but she simply would not marry a man she didn’t love, and confessed she took several pieces of her mother’s and Melissa’s jewelry to help pay for expenses along the way. She told him how much she loved him and in turn hoped for his understanding.
    Naively, Karina only saw simple challenges to overcome, and not the probability of failure. All she needed to do, she thought, was get to Jonathan he would know what to do her father mentioned he was a successful businessman in his letter to her. Thankfully she didn’t think like Lynnette who viewed all life’s challenges as risky and impossible and would more than likely accept whatever fate she was handed. Karina would not allow this to happen to her or her friend, this was more than a quest to run away, this was a rescue although no one would see it that way. Anxious and excited she reviewed her plans until finally falling asleep herself with the roll of the carriage.
    As predicted by Nate they arrived early Thursday afternoon into the harbor town. Karina alerted Lynnette. They watched as people and carriages traveled up and down the pebble stone streets soon the carriage left the busy area and drove down a long wooded road. The drive was beautiful and scenic with pillar-like trees aligning the road and soft rays of sunlight seeping through. Finally a large estate could be seen in the distance. Charles had not spoken much throughout the trip. He seemed to be in