Free The Shipmaster's Daughter by Jessica Wolf

but at least you took them to heart.” He softened and offered his hand to Charles again. “Congratulations.”
    When Charles released Reed’s hand, he turned to Luciana. “I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure of meeting you. I’m Charles Blake. Has Reed finally started looking for another wife again?”
    Fire poured into Luciana’s cheeks. Her throat ran dry. Beside her, Reed looked positively enraged. His hands curled into fists at his sides. Before he could say anything, do anything he might later regret, Luciana spoke for herself.
    “No,” she said, shaking her head. “My name is Luciana Renaldi. My ship sunk a few weeks ago. Signore Hargrave has been kind enough to let me stay at Yellow Brook until I can get up standing.”
    June furrowed her brow. Her lips pinched together into a confused smile. “‘Get up standing?’ Do you mean ‘get back on your feet’?” She laughed, a laugh as pure as church bells. “Oh, that is delightful. Your accent is marvelous. Where are you from?”
    Luciana shifted. “Italy.”
    “Oh, Italy!” June gushed. “I’ve always wanted to go there. What part? Venice? I’ve heard Venice is absolutely marvelous.”
    “Actually, I’m from a small sea-port town—Viareggio.”
    June curled her fingers around Charles’ arm. “I’ve never heard of it, but I’m sure it’s divine. You must come by some time and tell me who does your hair. It’s marvelous. I’ve haven’t seen women wear their hair down in years, but you could bring it back.”
    Luciana felt a warm hand on her shoulder. She looked up to see Reed nod to Charles. “It was nice to see you both. Congratulations on your wedding.” He pushed Luciana forward before the other two could make their goodbyes. Reed dropped his hand from her shoulder a moment later. Luciana loathed to admit she missed the contact.
    “Blake is a…friend of sorts,” he explained.
    “ Signora Blake does seem to think everything is marvelous, doesn’t she?” Though her words were quiet, meant for herself, Reed heard them. He chuckled, but said nothing else. Hands clasped behind his back, he looked on.
    June’s comment about her hair burned in the forefront of Luciana’s mind. She reached up, fingering her long waves. It was true no woman who passed had her hair down. It was piled on their heads in large and elegant buns. Some wore pearls, others left it natural. But only young girls wore their hair down, like Esther. Luciana’s skin began to burn, her scalp itch. Ducking her head, she avoided looking. Though the hair-style was stunning, she knew it wouldn’t suit her. She liked her hair free and loose, not tight and constricting. Even so, self-consciousness bloomed in her stomach.
    Her eyes drew themselves to Reed. Didn’t he feel the same way? He hardly had the same appearance as any of the men they passed. His hair was long and pulled back, not cut and styled, and his clothes were well-worn and faded. He didn’t appear to feel self-conscious. Every step he took was proud and commanding. He knew where he was going and what he was going to do when he got there, unlike Luciana. She envied his confidence.
    They rejoined Jack and Esther at the ice cream stand a few moments later. Luciana indulged and forced herself to forget about the failed jobs, June’s comments, and her hair. She wanted to enjoy her ice cream, enjoy the company, and surge forward. But that was hard when Reed couldn’t seem to take his eyes off of her for the rest of the day. She could feel him staring at her and every time she looked at him, he held his stare, unembarrassed.
    When they returned home that evening, bellies filled with ice cream and lemonade, Esther asleep in Jack’s arms, Luciana yearned for the comfort and solitude of her room. In the morning, she would begin anew with the help of Mrs. Peters.
    “Miss Renaldi, would you wait for a moment?”
    Foot on the bottom step, Luciana turned around. Reed strode toward her. His face had returned to