She Will Rejoice Read Online Free Page B

was a child, it was fun to do backward tumbles. It was not fun now.

CHAPTER FOUR
    All conversation ceased the moment Naomi hit the ground.
    The lady was momentarily too stunned to right herself, but she soon felt strong hands straightening her, though she was not being lifted off the ground.
    “Are you injured?” Finn’s anxious face was inches from hers.
    She took a quick inventory of her parts, “I do not believe I am.”
    The concern was gone, and he now looked annoyed, “I told you to remain where you were.”
    Naomi struggled to a sitting position, “Are you imagining I am out here like this on purpose?”
    Finn assisted her to her feet.
    “I assure you, Mr. Haydn,” she adjusted her skirts around herself, “I did not intend to join you out on the street.”
    “Mr. Haydn,” a man approached him from behind.
    Finn held his palm toward the other an in an obvious display of impatience, “Just deal with it, Randolph.”
    He all but lifted his wife into the carriage before following her and slamming the door.
    Naomi reached up and removed her hat, knowing it was so muddy there was no salvaging it. She then pulled down her curls, removing pins as she worked her fingers through the wild tresses, her eyes ever on her husband.
                  Finn met her gaze with narrowed eyes.
                  She was just refastening her hair into semblance of order when he spoke up.
                  “What happened?”
                  She decided to give him part of the truth, “I tried to straighten up in my seat, and I tipped over.”
                  His brow lowered further still.
                  “My limb had fallen asleep,” she admitted. “I couldn’t quite get it situated. I went,” she motioned with her hand to demonstrate the general direction of her slide.
                  His lips twitched.
                  She pointed a finger at him, “I do not desire to be the source of your amusement, Mr. Haydn.”
                  He rubbed a finger over his top lip.
                  Naomi rolled her eyes at the gesture.
                  The carriage started up again, but they did not have far to travel. Apparently, the small craft was just waiting for them before crossing the water to the island because as soon as Naomi was seated below the deck, the boat began to move.
                  “How long will it take to get to the island?” she wished she could more easily see the waves that were rushing by, but she was not sure if it was acceptable to be up and walking about the boat while it was in motion.
                  “Not more than an hour.”
                  “Oh,” she craned her neck a little further.
                  His soft laugh drew her attention, “Would you care to walk above deck?”
                  She almost agreed, but then she caught herself, “Is that quite proper?”
                  “There is nothing improper about it,” he assured her, “but I thought you would be more comfortable down here.”
                  She winced, “Because I am such a mess?”
                  “Because you are a little damp, and it gets cold on deck,” he rose and held out a hand, “particularly in November.”
                  She allowed him to assist her up the stairs and then she slid her hand into the crook of his arm.
                  “Please tell me if you are becoming cold,” he said as he led her to the rail. “I would not have you catching a chill.”
                  She nodded and watched the land disappear behind them. It was fascinating to move so quickly. There was little resistance from the waves, and, despite the season, there was no bite to the air.
                  “Does it make you want to become a sailor?” Finn spoke