Free Loving Sarah by Sandy Raven Page A

and added, “Especially if you mention a pirate ship or two.”
    “He wasn’t your grandfather also?”
    “No. Ren and Elise have a different mother. She died after Elise was born. Our father married my mother, also a confirmed spinster, many years later. I was born shortly after their wedding.”
    She exhaled, visibly relaxing at the same time. “I wish I’d thought to bring a dress or two. I know that wearing boy’s clothes isn’t proper, but I needed it to get onto the ship, and it is all I have with me.” She glanced at him then looked away again. “At the time I packed my satchel, I didn’t think morning dresses would be suitable for a voyage of this nature.”
    “You’re right, they wouldn’t be. But then ladies wouldn’t normally be on a clipper of this size and sort. If a lady wished to cross the Atlantic, she’d be on a much larger vessel, one equipped for passengers.”
    His guest looked at him, meeting his gaze with a determined tilt to her chin. “Captain, you are attempting to make me feel guilty for having stowed away aboard your boat, and I will not be made to feel so. Granted, I landed on the wrong ship, but I had to make this journey. Not only because I’ve always dreamed of seeing America, but also because I am tired of everyone around me having grand adventures when I cannot. You have no idea what it is like to always be aware of the rules of society and appropriate behavior for a lady of my station. It’s been drilled into my head since I was a child that ladies must behave in a certain manner and to go outside those boundaries will bring censure, perhaps even scandal to one’s family. “Well, I’m tired of living inside the gilded cage. For once in my life I want to fly away.” Her mood changed from bold and assertive to wistful sadness when she added, “Even if eventually I must return.”
    “Yes, but when you return, will you still be able to enjoy the benefits of the life to which you were born? Or will you be shunned by polite society for having been in the company of a crew of men without the benefit of a chaperone?”
    She turned away, he thought because she realized the hardened truth of his words. “I care not what others think of me. Those who love me will believe in me and know the truth.”
    “What if you find that your friends’ parents will not allow them in your company because to do so might taint their daughter with your stained reputation? What then, my lady?”
    “Please, can we change the topic?” She gave him a pleading gaze, but for some reason it was important to him that she understand the severity of the possible consequences of her actions.
    “Avoiding the subject will not resolve the issue. I would think you’d want to be prepared for the possibility that you might have fewer willing companions when you return to Town. It seems to me you haven’t thought your way through this to the inevitable outcome.”
    Ian could tell his words were hitting their intended mark, as she appeared more and more remorseful as he went on. Then she stiffened her spine and turned to climb down the stairs to the main deck.
    “Where are you going?”
    “I really don’t feel like hearing a lecture on my behavior. You obviously do not understand my desire…no, my need to taste freedom before settling into a dismal life of confined comfort.” She stopped at the entrance to the companionway and turned back to face him. “So, I believe I shall return to the cabin now. Thank you for the stroll in the sunshine.”
    He hadn’t meant for the conversation to turn out that way. It had started out nicely and had quickly changed when he began to chastise. The look on her face told him he’d hurt her feelings, and he wondered if perhaps he should apologize.
    Then he thought not. It was more than likely long past time someone showed the chit what repercussions her actions would have. She needed to be taught to think before she acted.
    If only she hadn’t had that wounded-doe