A Taste of Paradise by Connie Mason

same golden hue, for she’d inspected it in a mirror. “I fear I’ve been careless about exposing myself to the sun. The hot, sun-washed days are part of the magic of the island. Everything I’ve seen here so far enthralls me.”
    Ludlow leaned close. “Don’t be fooled, miss. All is not what it seems. The slave situation is poised to erupt into a nasty confrontation. You’d be wise to return to England while you can.”
    â€œI’ll take my chances,” Sophia replied.
    â€œVery well, I’ll send word of your availability to some families of my acquaintance. I’m sure a position can be found for you. But Captain Radcliff only secured your room and board until your ship leaves. Can you afford to remain while you seek employment?”
    â€œI have money,” Sophia said, optimistic about finding employment soon. She didn’t want to go to Chris for help should her plan fail.
    â€œVery well, Miss Carlisle, I will do my best to help you.”
    Sophia left the inn in a jubilant mood and hurried to the booking agent’s office, where she presented her ticket and asked for a refund. After a good bit of grumbling, the agent refunded her the amount of the ticket in full.
    The first thing Sophia did after leaving the booking agent’s office was to visit the marketplace and buy a reticule to keep her money in, a wide-brimmed straw bonnet, a parasol and gloves. If one wanted to be a governess, one had to look like a lady. As for her tanned skin, she wasn’t worried, for she knew the color would fade in time.
    As Sophia returned to the inn, she noticed people streaming from the docking area, followed by porters bearing their luggage. Some were headed toward the inn. She paid them scant heed as she returned to her room. Her future looked brighter for the first time in a long time. If she was going to start a new life, it might as well be in a place far away from Rayford and his evil machinations.
    Despite being busy from dawn to dusk, Chris still found time to think about Sophia. He’d begun to wonder if sending her back to England without discovering what or whom she feared had been the right thing to do. Something or someone had sent her fleeing into the night without even a wrap for protection against the elements, or money in her pocket.
    On more than one occasion since arriving at Sunset Hill, he had nearly tossed caution to the wind and rushed back to Kingston to see how Sophia was faring. But just as he prepared to leave, a new emergency always seemed to arise to stop him. Being new to his position as plantation owner, Chris had much to learn and master, and just as many problems to solve. If not for Mundo, his overseer, he would have been lost.
    Today, one of his neighbors, Lord Wombly, had stopped by on his way home from Kingston to tell Chris that the
South Wind
had arrived and was slated to leave Kingston Harbor in two days. Chris wanted to ask him if he’d seen Sophia in town but stifled the urge. As the day progressed, Chris had to forcibly restrain himself from racing pell-mell to Kingston to see Sophia one last time before she disappeared from his life forever.
    Several days after the
South Wind
’s scheduled departure, a matter concerning the deed to Sunset Hill arose that necessitated a trip to Kingston and a visit to Headquarters House. With a list of goods to be purchased at the local market in hand, he left Sunset Hill with Mundo driving a wagon behind Chris’s horse.
    Anxious about the governess position she hoped to obtain, Sophia approached Mr. Ludlow a few days after the
South Wind
departed without her.
    â€œHave you heard from any potential employers, Mr. Ludlow? I’m quite anxious to begin my duties as a governess.”
    â€œI have indeed, Miss Carlisle. The answers to two of my inquiries arrived just this morning. Lord Castor and Mr. Humbart are both interested but can’t come to interview you immediately due to