The Hawk and the Jewel (Kensington Chronicles 1) Read Online Free Page B

again alone, Brandon sat at his desk and sipped the tea. Nothing had been as he had expected. He was under the impression that he would be going ashore for the girl, and that she was anticipating his arrival. Brandon sat quietly and tried to take it all in.
    None of this is a-surprise to Tou, Lord, he prayed silently, so please help me to trust Tou m this. I praise Tou for her return and pray that Fit be able to handle the task before me. They're alt so excited at home, Lord. Please keep us safe for this journey.
    He sat for many minutes committing the journey and all involved to God's care. After some time he reached for his Bible. He read a few chapters in the Psalms, but since his mind was so centered on the girl behind the screen, he closed his Bible after just a few more verses and prayed for her again.
    Shani took a deep breath and tried to calm the frantic beating of her heart. She was shivering so violently she could hardly remove her sodden clothes. Her face burned, and shame threatened to choke her when she saw how bare her body had been in the wet bloomers,
    knowing that the captain and many of the crew had seen her nakedness.
    Fearful that the captain would check on her, Shani hurried into the water as soon as she was undressed. She barely stifled a gasp at the change in temperature. Her skin had become so chilled that the water seemed to scald her.
    Some minutes passed before she was able to unclench her jaw against the chattering of her teeth, and lay back in the water. She let her body sink low in the tub and closed her eyes as the water washed over her shoulders.
    This cannot be real, she thought bleakly. Pm going to wake and find that I have fallen asleep while Indira brushed my hair. But even as the thought entered her head, Shani knew it would never be true. She was on this ship, and probably headed to England.
    How many times had she wondered about her homeland and questioned Indira over her past? Indira had always answered as best she could, and Shani had oftentimes dreamed of going to England, but never once had she imagined being sent away from the only family she had ever known. Why would they do it? Indira had assured her many times that her entire family was dead. Who would take care of her in England?
    **Oh, Poppy," tears gathered in her throat, and Shani tried hard to draw breath.
    "Are you all right?" Brandon's deep voice spoke suddenly from the other side of the screen.
    Shani didn't answer.
    "Please answer me, or I'll be forced to come back and check on you."
    "I am well," Shani answered stiffly, horrified at the thought of this strange man invading her privacy.
    Shani heard nothing for some minutes after that, so she started violently when a dry towel was laid over the top of the screen. Joining this were two garments. From her place in the tub, Shani thought they appeared to be her underclothing; in reality, they were a robe and nightgown.
    When a dress was not added to the lot, Shani wondered about the implications of such an action. She forced herself not to think about what might happen this night. Had the captain not called to her to finish and come out, she would have stayed in the water until she was once again chilled to the bone.
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    "I do not wish to come out," Shani called, wondering at her boldness.
    "Supper is here, and you need to eat something. Get done now and into the nightgown and robe."
    He did not sound angry with her, but something in his voice propelled her into action. Five minutes later she slipped around the partition and stood very still. She'd dried her hair as best she could, but she knew it hung in a riotous mass around her head.
    "Warmer?" Brandon called the moment he spotted her.
    Shani could only nod. Her hands clutched the front of her robe and were white with strain. At home her gown for sleeping was short, but in front of this man, Shani found herself thankful for this covering.
    "Come," Brandon bid her, "have a seat."
    Shani, afraid of angering him, did