Free Donners Bend by Alexa V James Page A

me.”
     
    “Hmm ...   Johnny .  You even have pet names for each other .  Sounds like something sweethearts would do to me,” Emily suggested in a quiet voice.
     
    Ellie laughed, but didn’t reply.
     
    Suddenly, the door behind them opened and Jamie and another man walked out . 
     
    “Good afternoon Miss Henderson , Miss Hardesty,” said Jamie .  He carried a long silver sword one would use in fencing .  His friend carried one too.
     
    “Hello, ladies .  Mr. Phillip Browning, at your service,” said the man.
     
    With nicely combed light brown hair and flashing green eyes, he wasn’t at all bad looking, both girls had to admit , but Emily had known of Mr. Browning before, and she knew he wasn’t of the best sort.
     
    “Sorry to bother you,” Jamie apologized, “Come on, Phillip !”
     
    Phillip tipped his hat and the two men walked far over to the side of the yard where they wouldn’t interrupt the children’s play .  Both wore tan-colored pants, collared shirts, ties, and sweaters, though the colors were different . 
     
    “En garde!” Ellie heard Jamie say as he took his stance and raised his foil.
     
    Phillip did t he same and t he two began to fence .  Both girls watched a minute before speaking.
     
    “So I see Mr. Jamie has returned to Donners Bend again,” said Emily as she continued to knit.
     
    “ Yes, yes he has.”
     
    “I’ve heard some talk from the servants and others around town and I was wondering if you might confirm something for me, Ellie .”
     
    “Of course .  What ‘tis it?”
     
    “Has Jamie come home from whichever university he was at for a spell or has he been dismissed again?”
     
    “From what I understand he has been thrown out for questioning and angering one of his professors,” Ellie answered, “His father says this is the sixth time it’s happened.”
     
    “Oh yes,” Emily replied, “Jam eson Rhodes is known for being dismissed from all the prestigious schools his father sends him to.”
     
    “I see.”
     
    “But like I’ve always believed, Jamie doesn’t need intelligent professors and years at a university to become wise .  He doesn’t need any teaching at t’all for that matter .  He’s already the wisest and most dashing man I’ve ever met in my life .  Too bad he’s so terribly contentious.”
     
    He was quite dashing, Ellie agreed .  With dark, dark, almost black hair that fell into his brown eyes, not a girl in the world could deny his having an incredibly handsome appearance .  Like it was already mentioned, he was fairly tall and kept in good shape, though he wasn’t incredibly muscular .  His bright, playful yet mocking smile could melt a girl’s heart and he had the charm to accompany it . 
     
    Emily was the second person Ellie had heard characterize Jamie as contentious , but they both also said he was incredibly intelligent .  To Ellie , it didn’t make sense . 
     
    “If Jamie is so intelligent,” she pondered aloud, “Then why is he always getting kicked out of school ?  Surely he’d be smart enough to know not to debate with his instructor’s words.”
     
    Emily shrugged, “Well, like I said, he’s also terribly contentious .  When he doesn’t think something’s right, he lets you know .  So if he believes his professor has gotten something wrong, he feels free to just come right out and say it.”
     
    “But he’s still really perceptive?”
     
    Emily nodded, “Very .  He can ace all his courses easily and without much effort .  His father had high expectations for a while .  He expected Jamie would follow in his footsteps and become a doctor or maybe a lawyer , but apparently Jamie didn’t want the same things his father did .  Who knows what will become of him now.”
     
    They watched Phillip and Jamie fence a few moments more .  Jamie was amazing .  He moved with a grace and ease Ellie had never expected him to have .  Easily, he triumphed over Phillip and they could