He shifted in his seat. “Your father indulged your mother and she paid for it with her life.”
She sucked in a breath at the harsh words.
“If he hadn’t allowed it, she would still be here with you. Youwouldn’t have grown up motherless.”
A drop of wetness landed on her forearm.
“And if I hadn’t allowed you to do the same thing, you wouldn’t be sitting here ruined.”
An ache crept up the back of her throat as she searched for and failed to find words.
“You’re grounded, Samantha. For good.”
Her eyes snapped open. “Please, anything but that.”
“You’ll begin to act like a proper young lady. No more swordsmanship. No more visits to the docks. No more breeches.”
A crushing weight pressed on her chest and she struggled to take a breath.
“I could say I’m angry. Hurt. Ashamed. And all would be correct. But most of all, I’m disappointed. You betrayed the trust I gave you, Samantha. And by doing so, you’ll learn the hardest lesson of them all. Once a captain cannot be trusted, he will never be able to lead again.”
Tears began to stream down her face in earnest, leaving hot trails in their wake. “Uncle—”
“My mind is made up. Do not try to sway my decision.” He pushed his chair back and stood. “You’re dismissed.”
And just like that, all her hopes, all her dreams—everything Samantha had ever wanted in life—were crushed like a brittle shell beneath the heel. Choking back a sob, she stumbled to her feet and fled the room.
She passed the stairs and burst onto the veranda. Without slowing, she stumbled down the steps and raced across the gardens. Under the big oak tree, she collapsed to the ground and let her grief overtake her.
The minutes stretched by and soon dark shadows cloaked her as the sun slipped from view. Samantha pulled herself from the damp ground and brushed bits of twigs and grass from her dress. She drew her knees to her chest and stared out toward the river, where the pale sails of a ship stood out against the darkness.
Lights from town twinkled over the water. If only she could tell Abigail what had happened. But she couldn’t. Abigail couldn’t know. Nobody could. She was alone in her despair.
A vast ache settled in her heart and she gave a bitter sniff. So manyif onlys.
If only she hadn’t come up with her mad scheme to get the lieutenant off her back. If only she hadn’t accepted his terms. If only she hadn’t... no. Another fat tear plopped to the ground and she curled her fingers into fists. She would not regret that part. No matter what.
Her legs began to go numb and she stood. A dull pressure built behind her temple and she pressed her fingers to the sensitive spot. When a mosquito landed on her arm, she swatted it away. Soon the little beasts would be out in full force.
With a sigh, she headed back toward the house. No need to stay outside and get eaten alive. The servants had lit lanterns along the veranda and when she got a good view of her rumpled skirts, a chagrined smile tugged at her lips. Anna would have a fit.
Inside, candlelight flickered from the sconces on the walls. Samantha crept up the stairs, careful to skip the ones that creaked, and padded down the hallway. Slipping inside her room, she crossed to the mantel and grabbed the compass. Once her hand curled around the cool weight of it, she sat on the bed.
The inscription glowed in the light of the single candle Anna had left lit on the nightstand and Samantha ran a fingertip over the etched words. Who had it belonged to? She knew very little about Lieutenant Thompson’s past other than what he’d revealed about his mother. Perhaps a great-great-grandfather had served in the Royal Navy and passed the relic down through the generations. Christian’s father likely gave it to him. A gift when he joined the navy?
A prick of guilt pressed through her heart and she touched the cameo at her neck. What if it had been something of her mother’s or father’s that had been taken? She’d be devastated.
Standing, she crossed to the door of her balcony and stared out into the darkness. Mottled light cut through the shadows from the full moon above. The weight in her hand seemed to grow heavier by the moment. She needed to return it.
A soft knock sounded at her door and Anna peeked in. “Do you need help getting ready for bed?”
Samantha tensed at the intrusion and turned back to the night. “I’ll be fine.”
The door clicked shut and she blew out a breath. Her grip around the compass tightened. Tonight. She would return the blasted thing tonight.
Mind made up, she strode to her wardrobe and yanked open her breeches drawer. Empty. With a curse she opened the rest of her drawers and rocked back on her heels. Every bit of masculine clothing she owned was gone. Her boots had been replaced with dainty shoes and pale gloves and stockings had replaced her buttoned shirts.
Her uncle was serious.
