remembering Felicity in pigtails. At nineteen the voluptuous blond was determined to win the reluctant man’s heart. Armed with the latest Parisian artillery, gowns, perfumes and having practiced her seduction on willing victims, she was ready to be taken very seriously. Unfortunately she had broken a long string of hearts along the way one of which belonged to Shauna’s son. Observing one such censure and Jason’s apparent frustration Sean who had also witnessed the incident surprised her with his keen perception.
“ She collects hearts like some women buy hats.”
Xzan turned interestedly smiling at the boy. He hardly ever spoke unless directly addressed. One got the impression he was always thinking. She was curious to know what was inside. To hear the words aloud. Sean sat down at her table staring out at the magnificence of the azure sea. “Makes you feel insignificant doesn’t it?”
She nodded enjoying the salty sea spray running slender fingers like a comb through her thick mane. Propping her dainty chin up on elbows she relaxed daydreaming as she gazed into the ocean.
“ I wouldn’t mistreat you if you were my lady.” He announced with aplomb.
Xzan’s arms slipped off the table. She stared at him incredulously. Hazel eyes held her’s unwavering. Flustered she lowered hers first. Surely he was too young to have those kinds of thoughts or feelings? She didn’t want to crush his heart or to encourage him. Softly, distinctly she countered.
“ I’m sure you’ll make some lucky woman a wonderful husband when you’re grown.”
Once again he held her mesmerized with his speckled eyes.
“ I will be a good husband to you.”
Before she could protest or point out their age difference he grinned teasingly breaking eye contact. She wasn’t sure whether to laugh or run. In time Sean Fenierre would be a man to be reckoned with. Implacable about anything he set his mind to. For now he was just a boy in a man-sized body testing his manhood. She would ignore it. In a sweet way he had paid her a high compliment. She had to be conscientious not to wound his ego.
The days aboard ship weren’t as bad as she first suspected. A lot of the passengers disagreed with her. They were bored, felt trapped like prisoners on board. But she had been set free from her prison no longer having to live in fear or seclusion. She was making true friends and it was heaven to have others to talk to and to have their input on a world of topics.
Gradually everyone had gotten their sea legs and were venturing in to the sunshine. It was still warm but getting cool enough in the evenings to need more covers on her bed and a shawl around her shoulders on deck. She enjoyed the company of the her shipmates tremendously but also found herself relieved to have the solitude of her cabin when the day was done.
Since her talk with Shauna Xzan had begun to heal and to rediscover her own self-esteem. Her hatred for her dead husband grew as time passed instead of diminishing. She was revolted when she understood how vilely he used her and the role that Jonathan had played in both their lives. Friend. Ha! It was despicable. They were Lovers! No wonder Brett had treated her like a disease. To him she had been. Jonathan had been inconsolable when he found out about Brett’s death. He’d lost his mate. She felt like throwing up every time she realized how naïve she had been. Still felt sullied. Like part of her was missing that could never be replaced. It was a good thing he was dead. If she’d known then what she knew now, she might have been tempted to kill him herself.
*****
They only had a few more weeks on the trail. Winter was setting in earlier than they’d expected. The snow had made it difficult to travel with more set backs than they had planned on. Sam’s wagon wheel had broken and took most of a day to repair. Mrs. Greenly died in her sleep. Not a real surprise to anyone who knew how old and feeble she was to begin with. Her son
“ She collects hearts like some women buy hats.”
Xzan turned interestedly smiling at the boy. He hardly ever spoke unless directly addressed. One got the impression he was always thinking. She was curious to know what was inside. To hear the words aloud. Sean sat down at her table staring out at the magnificence of the azure sea. “Makes you feel insignificant doesn’t it?”
She nodded enjoying the salty sea spray running slender fingers like a comb through her thick mane. Propping her dainty chin up on elbows she relaxed daydreaming as she gazed into the ocean.
“ I wouldn’t mistreat you if you were my lady.” He announced with aplomb.
Xzan’s arms slipped off the table. She stared at him incredulously. Hazel eyes held her’s unwavering. Flustered she lowered hers first. Surely he was too young to have those kinds of thoughts or feelings? She didn’t want to crush his heart or to encourage him. Softly, distinctly she countered.
“ I’m sure you’ll make some lucky woman a wonderful husband when you’re grown.”
Once again he held her mesmerized with his speckled eyes.
“ I will be a good husband to you.”
Before she could protest or point out their age difference he grinned teasingly breaking eye contact. She wasn’t sure whether to laugh or run. In time Sean Fenierre would be a man to be reckoned with. Implacable about anything he set his mind to. For now he was just a boy in a man-sized body testing his manhood. She would ignore it. In a sweet way he had paid her a high compliment. She had to be conscientious not to wound his ego.
The days aboard ship weren’t as bad as she first suspected. A lot of the passengers disagreed with her. They were bored, felt trapped like prisoners on board. But she had been set free from her prison no longer having to live in fear or seclusion. She was making true friends and it was heaven to have others to talk to and to have their input on a world of topics.
Gradually everyone had gotten their sea legs and were venturing in to the sunshine. It was still warm but getting cool enough in the evenings to need more covers on her bed and a shawl around her shoulders on deck. She enjoyed the company of the her shipmates tremendously but also found herself relieved to have the solitude of her cabin when the day was done.
Since her talk with Shauna Xzan had begun to heal and to rediscover her own self-esteem. Her hatred for her dead husband grew as time passed instead of diminishing. She was revolted when she understood how vilely he used her and the role that Jonathan had played in both their lives. Friend. Ha! It was despicable. They were Lovers! No wonder Brett had treated her like a disease. To him she had been. Jonathan had been inconsolable when he found out about Brett’s death. He’d lost his mate. She felt like throwing up every time she realized how naïve she had been. Still felt sullied. Like part of her was missing that could never be replaced. It was a good thing he was dead. If she’d known then what she knew now, she might have been tempted to kill him herself.
*****
They only had a few more weeks on the trail. Winter was setting in earlier than they’d expected. The snow had made it difficult to travel with more set backs than they had planned on. Sam’s wagon wheel had broken and took most of a day to repair. Mrs. Greenly died in her sleep. Not a real surprise to anyone who knew how old and feeble she was to begin with. Her son
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