Free Pure Blood (Time Spirit Trilogy, #3) by Melissa Pearl

nearly
bumped into a cart overflowing with merchandise. She apologized
with a blush and kept moving. The atmosphere was a stark contrast
to the quiet ambience of the countryside and Gemma’s senses were
struggling to digest it. Staying on full alert, she concentrated on
getting her horse to the end of the dock without injuring anybody.
Thankfully they found the ship quickly.
    The Albion was moored at the end of
the pier, sitting on the ocean top with majestic stature. Gemma
felt a morose sadness settle on her shoulders as she watched people
boarding with their bundles and thought about having to say goodbye
to Nathaniel.
    She tied the horses while Nathaniel sought
passage. He returned sometime later with his bundle and a resigned
smile.
    “We sail within the hour.”
    “I hope it’s smooth for you.” She shone him a
smile, before getting down to business. “Now, you remember what you
need to do?”
    “Yes, I need to make my way to St. Augustine
and make sure my correspondence is buried in the cemetery of the
cathedral.”
    Gemma nodded.
    “I’ll dig it up when I get back and make sure
I pass it on to Helena.”
    His eyes grew sad.
    “I know.” Gemma placed her hand on his
shoulder. “I wish you could see her again too.”
    They gazed at each other in silence. There
was nothing left to say. Gemma filled the awkward dumbness by
reaching forward and wrapping Nathaniel in a warm embrace.
    “I will miss you, Mr. Clayton.”
    He squeezed her middle and whispered a soft
endearment in her ear before dropping his arms and striding down
the pier. Gemma watched him and waved once more when he
boarded.
    Blinking at her tears she moved from the dock
in search of a quiet corner to hide in. Exhaustion seized her as
she stepped into an alcove and leaned her head against the grimy
wall. The tears she had been fighting surged forward in a torrent
and she covered her face and wept.
     

Chapter
Twelve
    Liverpool, England – 1820AD
     
    Gemma waited until her tears dried up before
stepping out of the alcove and watching the Albion set sail
for America. She prayed for its safe passage and hoped with a
passion that Nathaniel would stay true to his word. She also hoped
he might find happiness in his new life and that he would die a
contented man. He was leaving everything he knew behind to complete
this one mission. His sacrifice deserved a reward.
    Dabbing her cheeks, she wandered to the
outskirts of town and made sure she was well hidden before taking a
deep breath and heading home.
     
    * * * *
     
    St Augustine, Florida – 2011AD
     
    Harrison gathered her into an embrace before
she got a scrap of clothing on. He didn’t care. He clung to her as
if she had come back from the dead.
    After some powerfully silent persuasion from
Gabe, her boyfriend was forced to release her and let her get
dressed.
    “So, how long was I gone for?”
    “About four and a half hours.” Gabe’s attempt
to sound casual was futile.
    Gemma slipped on her last piece of clothing
and cleared her throat, watching them both whip around to ogle her.
She studied their stark skin and wrinkled expressions and was
unable to deny the guilt she had been ignoring.
    “I’m sorry I took so long, but it was totally
worth it.” Her eyes glittered as she reached for Harrison’s hand.
“Come on, get me something to eat and I’ll tell you every last
detail.”
    She scoffed down one of Gabe’s double decker
sandwiches, a bran muffin and a full glass of milk as she recounted
her time away. They peppered her with questions, which she managed
to answer with a smile until they wore her nerves raw. By the time
she was done she felt frazzled and the weight of her trip caught up
to her like a bullet train.
    “You’re gonna need some shut eye before you
face anyone. They’ll see straight through you otherwise.” Jumping
up from the table, Gabe pulled the clothes from his bed and
smoothed down the blanket. “Come on, even if it’s just an
hour.”
    Gemma couldn’t