Free Petals on the River by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss

the winter months."
     
    Shemaine was hardly appreciative of his scolding and explained
    brittlely.   "I only meant to save you some embarrassment, sir."
     
    "I know what you thought, Shemaine, but you were wrong.   Even
    half-starved and filthy dirty, you're the comeliest maid the people of
    this hamlet have seen in some months."
     
    Shemaine wasn't one to be easily taken in by a few charitable
    compliments.   "Your flattery would surely turn a simple maid's head
    about on her shoulders, Mr.   Thornton.   Were I one, I'd probably be
    overwhelmed with gratitude, but I'm fully cognizant of just how wretched
    I look."
     
    At her blatant rejection of his praise, Gage displayed a bit of
    exasperation of his own as he sighed.   "In time, girl, you'll learn that
    I speak the plain truth.   I don't hold with lying."
     
    "And in time, sir," Shemaine was quick to rejoin in stilted tones,
    "you'll learn I'm not a mere girl."
     
    Gage noted the deepening blush in his bondswoman's cheeks as she stood
    in rigid poise, as if bracing herself for his reprimand.   Leaning toward
    her slightly, he commanded her full attention.   Staring directly into
    those widened eyes, he breathed his answer.   "Believe me, Shemaine, I
    know that now."
     
    His emphatic admission disarmed Shemaine completely and opened up a
    plethora of questions in her mind.   Of a sudden, she was not at all sure
    the colonial had been thinking solely of his son when he had laid out
    his purse for her.   If he had told her outright that he had closely
    appraised her womanly curves for what enjoyment they could give to him,
    especially her bosom, which was probably the only curve she hadn't
    entirely forfeited through her lengthy ordeal, he could not have made
    her more uneasy.
     
    Yet, when Shemaine considered how.   obstinate she could be, she deemed
    it advantageous to offer some insight into her own failings if she
    wanted to get along with the man or even held out hopes of staying with
    him long enough to win his approval.   If she angered him unduly there
    was absolutely no guarantee that he had to keep her.   He could just as
    well sell her to the next stranger willing to pay his price. For her own
    preservation, it seemed imperative that she demonstrate a willingness to
    be submissive.   And if any lecherous schemes were being entertained by
    the colonial, then those would have to be addressed once they became
    apparent.   It was neither wise nor fair to judge a man prior to his
    offense.
     
    "I've had little experience being a servant, Mr.   Thornton," Shemaine
    murmured carefully.   "You'll no doubt find me quite outspoken at times.
     
    Perhaps even impertinent."
     
    His gaze never wavered from her face.   "I'd rather have you speak your
    mind, Shemaine, than see you intimidated by my presence."
     
    Equally surprised by his answer, she conceded, "I have many faults sir,
    and one of them is my temper.   I fear in that respect I'm very much like
    my father."
     
    Gage countered with a warning of his own.   "I'm sure you'll get to know
    my moods in time, Shemaine, and occasionally think me an ornery beast.
     
    But you needn't be afraid of me.   I won't beat you."
     
    Her responding smile was genuine.   "I'm relieved to hear that, sir."
     
    "Then come," he urged, taking her arm.   Peering up at the threatening
    clouds looming overhead, he briefly mused on the prospects of a storm
    being unleashed upon them.   "We'll get drenched in earnest if we stand
    here much longer."
     
    Gage drew her with him as he made his way along the quay, passing people
    and stepping around wooden crates as if he had urgent duties elsewhere.
    His walk was brisk, his strides long.   He was not a man who wasted time
    or dallied overmuch at doing nothing.   His strength and energy were
    valuable assets, and he used them to good advantage.   In his haste to
    get home before the rain started, he gave little heed to his servant's
    lack of vigor and lagging