Sea Mistress Read Free

cousin, that, in fact, George Metcalfe didn’t even exist . . .
    Sorry, Captain Garret, you’re out of luck! You see, I’m Uncle Edward’s heir!
    If it weren’t for her, Seth’s ship would still be damaged and rotting in some god-forsaken shipyard. Seth Garret owed her—his “benefactor”— much more than he’d ever dreamed.
    Bess closed her eyes and immediately saw his face. Not the face of Captain Seth Garret, but the features of a young man . . . a sailor. She fought back tears as she recalled the past—the way he courted her . . . the love that had come quickly . . . and the fiery passion of two young and intense lovers. How wonderful it would have been if things had happened the way they’d planned . . .
    She stared into the dark. She felt a lancing pain within her breast as the memories returned—the bittersweet memories . . . her initial hostility toward him . . . her fascination with someone who was so different from the rest of the young men she’d known. And the joy! When they’d finally realized how they’d felt for each other, she felt such joy and happiness it had almost been frightening.
    And then Seth left her, and she’d suffered the agony of heartbreak.
    Bess fought the memories, but she couldn’t hold them at bay . . .

Two
    1845, Metcalfe Manor, Wilmington, Delaware
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    The first time she saw the young man was in the parlor of her uncle’s home. Seth Garret was a sailor, a quiet fellow with dark, wavy hair and bright blue eyes. He had come with Captain Johnson of the clipper ship, Sea Mistress, to meet with Bess’s uncle. Joel Johnson was the man in charge of transporting the E. Metcalfe Co. goods.
    Bess bounded into the house after an outing with her friends. She had removed her bonnet, and her golden hair was slightly mussed. Her long tresses had been pinned up, but a silky curl bobbed at each side of her face, making her hair style seem less severe. She wore a fitted royal blue jacket with skirt of striped blue and black. Her dark eyes glistened with excitement as she burst into the room to greet Captain Johnson, a long-time family friend.
    â€œUncle Joeson!” she cried. “It’s so good to see you.”
    The older man grinned. “Lisabeth! How is my favorite da-nice?”
    She laughed with delight. “Fine, uncle, just fine.” Just as she had her own pet name for him, the captain had a special term for her, da-nice , which was an abbreviated form of daughter-niece. “How long will you be in Wilmington?”
    â€œThat depends on your Uncle Edward,” Uncle Joeson said. He transferred his attention to his first officer, who sat nearby.
    Bess’s gaze slid to the young man on the sofa. “Hello,” she said, studying the stranger. She pretended to have just noticed him, but she had become aware of the handsome seaman immediately on entering the room. “A friend of yours, Uncle Joeson?” She glanced toward Joel Johnson for confirmation.
    Uncle Joeson nodded. “Elisabeth, this is Seth Garret,” he said. “My first officer. Seth, this is Edward’s ward—his niece, Elisabeth. Mary Metcalfe.”
    She met his regard boldly. “How do you do?”
    Seth’s stare seemed to take her measure with an intensity that gave Bess gooseflesh and made her heart thump wildly. “I’m honored to make your acquaintance,” he said without standing.
    Bess stiffened, insulted by his lack of manners. Didn’t the man know that it was proper for a gentleman to rise when introduced to a lady? She was used to having the local young men fawn over her; they were most eager to please her, often bringing her flowers and fancy treats in order to win favor with her.
    Offended by such rude behavior, she turned away, abruptly dismissing Seth Garret as if he weren’t in the room. “Uncle,” she said, addressing Edward, “Amelia has been given the