A Taste of Paradise by Connie Mason Page A

pressing commitments at home.”
    â€œHow long do you suppose I’ll have to wait?”
    â€œNot long, I suspect. English governesses are sought after in Jamaica.”
    â€œThank you, Mr. Ludlow, I appreciate your help. It’s such a pleasant day, I think I’ll take a stroll.”
    â€œDon’t forget your bonnet, Miss Carlisle,” Ludlow chided. “I don’t think you realize the importance of protecting your fair complexion from the sun. If Captain Radcliff hadn’t told me you came from English stock, I would have thought . . .” He shrugged. “Take my word for it, Miss Carlisle, tanning as deeply as you have is not recommended.”
    Sophia nodded solemnly, but for the life of her she couldn’t imagine why anyone would care about her complexion except her mother, and that dear woman had long since gone to her grave. She did, however, return to her room for her bonnet before leaving the inn. She was proceeding out the door when she ran headlong into a thickset man who was entering the inn.
    The man swept off his hat and bowed deeply. “Forgive my clumsiness, ma’am.”
    â€œOh, no, it was entirely my fault, sir.” When Sophia tried to step around him, the man grasped her arm and whirled her about.
    â€œYou!” he gasped. “Well, well, well, this
is
my lucky day. I don’t know how you got here, but justice will finally prevail. Caldwell cheated me out of five hundred pounds, and you caused me a great deal of trouble, not to mention pain. I still bear the scar from your vicious attack.”
    Stunned beyond coherent speech, Sophia tried to escape Sir Oscar’s punishing grip. Fate was still conspiring against her. How else could she explain Sir Oscar’s presence in Jamaica? How had he learned her whereabouts? Had he followed her across the sea?
    â€œWhat do you have to say for yourself, Sophia?”
    â€œRelease me at once!”
    â€œYou belong to me. I paid dearly for you, and you’re not escaping me again.”
    People were beginning to stare. Mr. Ludlow, his face a picture of concern, hurried over to see what was causing the ruckus.
    â€œIs there a problem, Miss Carlisle?” he asked anxiously.
    â€œThere is indeed,” Sophia huffed. “This bully has just accosted me.”
    Ludlow glanced at Sir Oscar. “Oh, it’s you, Sir Oscar. Welcome back to Jamaica. We have missed you.”
    â€œYou know this man?” Sophia asked, unable to believe this was happening to her. If Rayford were here now, she would gladly kill him.
    â€œOf course. Sir Oscar owns one of the largest plantations on the island. He has been visiting England and on the recently returned
Morning Star
.”
    Sophia wanted to pinch herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming. If this was really happening, it was more frightening than any nightmare she had ever had.
    â€œDo you know this woman, Ludlow?” Sir Oscar asked.
    â€œIndeed. Miss Carlisle is seeking a position as governess. I’m aiding her in her search.”
    Sir Oscar stared intently into Sophia’s face. With a calculating gleam in his eye, his gaze traveled down her bare arms before returning abruptly to her face. His sly smile warned Sophia that he was up to no good. His next words proved it.
    â€œI fear my slave has fooled everyone with her fine manners and diction. I bought her shortly before I sailed to England. She was born on the island of Barbados, the product of a white father and slave mother. Her father was fond of her and had her educated.”
    â€œHe lies!” Sophia cried. “Do not listen to him, Mr. Ludlow. I swear I am not who he says.”
    Ludlow looked torn. Sir Oscar was an important man on the island, and crossing him was not a good idea. Furthermore, Ludlow had seen many slaves lighter in coloring than Miss Carlisle.
    â€œCaptain Radcliff secured a room for her,” Ludlow maintained. “She arrived in Jamaica