Upon Your Return by Marie Lavender Read Free Book Online

her to the cook as well as many of the sailors on board, they paused by the railing on deck, overlooking the waters.
    Eric passed her a look of uncertainty. “It surprises me you have not asked to leave or that your uncle did not demand your return last night.”
    Confused that a man of his stature would converse with her in such a way, she stammered, “I-I as well. He is not usually that way. He is normally so protective of me. He is rather conservative.”
    “I assumed he was, which is why I'm amazed you have not asked the captain to take you home.”
    He was awfully forward for a valet. “I appreciate your concern. But, I do not see how it is your business.”
    “Pardon me, Mademoiselle . I merely wondered.”
    From his unwavering position, she could tell he and his master had a unique relationship, perhaps one of friendship more than servitude. Though Rosalie's actions toward her had always seemed maternal, deep down she'd always known it would not be proper to call her a friend. She envied that Grant Hill could be so open about the way he behaved with his manservant.
    “I have never been very far from home or from town for that matter. When I was a child, I went to live with my uncle. My parents died at sea and since then, every moment of my life has been planned.” She sighed. “It is silly to say, but sometimes it is nice to do something out of the ordinary. I suppose mostly that is why I consented to your captain's actions.”
    “I do hope he has treated you with kindness in my absence.”
    “Do you doubt your master, Eric?”
    “No, do not misunderstand me, Mademoiselle . It is simply that he has not been in the presence of a woman of your position and innocence for a very long time. Not to mention one of your beauty.”
    Her cheeks warmed with embarrassment. For a servant, especially a man, to pay her such compliments was preposterous. She turned away.
    “Well, he did what he had to in order to rescue me from those horrid men. I'm sure he told you of it. All in all, yes, he has been very respectful in my presence.” Very much like a gentleman, she added to herself. Or at least the way she wished she could be treated more often.
    From what she knew of the man thus far, Grant Hill had protected her because he felt it was right. His actions weren't out of some social construction that demanded he behave a certain way. It wasn't as if he believed her somehow incapable.
    In a way, and she didn't know how, she sensed it was otherwise.
    She had never met anyone like that, willing to act on his own convictions even if he didn't happen to agree with society on the matter.
    Her uncle was just the opposite. Appearance and self-preservation guided his every action. If he believed a certain decision would be viewed in a negative way, he would choose a different path. Everything he did, whether it was from a business agreement to what he would wear to dinner, was solely dependent on how other people would interpret it. It was a predictable lifestyle.
    From the viewpoint of a captain or a sailor, it probably seemed very dull. While in the convent, she had often wondered if there was more to life than everyday devotions and attention to propriety. Now she could see an advantage to the spontaneity she often witnessed from children in rags playing out on the street, liberated by the lack of social constraints. Perhaps their lives weren't privileged, but they found contentment in other ways.
    Though she'd always held tight to some beliefs despite social norms, she still felt she had been seeing the world through a glass bottle, somewhat distorted and hard to determine what realities were truths. Although she'd believed her reality was harsh, at least in the sense of marrying a complete stranger, there were much harsher realities for others.
    Deep down, she'd always known her circumstances and fate were different from the servants in the house, but she'd always attributed it to her station.
    After having known Grant Hill