Sea Mistress Read Free Page A

most outrageous thing! A dog! An ugly one! In fact, it’s so ugly, I think it’s beautiful! You must see it. Is it all right if she brings it one day next week?”
    â€œOnly you would find beauty in an ugly creature, Bess,” Edward said with an indulgent smile. “As for this dog, go ahead and have her bring— him, is it?” he asked. Bess nodded. “Well, bring him over so we can get a look at him.”
    Edward Metcalfe couldn’t deny his niece anything, for he had loved her dearly from the first moment she’d been given into his care at the tender age of nine years. Elisabeth’s father was Edward’s brother, who, along with his wife Gwendolyn, had died in a tragic accident while on a pleasant Sunday afternoon ride in their carriage. During the outing, their horse had been frightened by a snake and had taken off hell-bent over the rough countryside. The Metcalfes had been unable to control the animal, and the vehicle had barreled off the road and down into a ravine. Gwendolyn had broken her neck when she was thrown from the carriage. Matthew, Bess’s father, had been killed seconds later when the carriage crashed into the bottom of the ravine.
    Grief-stricken by the loss of his brother and sister-in-law, Edward had been awarded the care of his niece Bess. A bachelor of advanced years, Edward had been instantly charmed by the nine-year-old child, welcoming her not only into his household but into his affections as well. His job, at first, hadn’t been an easy one; little Bess had mourned her loss deeply. It was only after months of attention during which Edward kept her with him for hours on end, even taking the youngster with him down to the docks, that she began to recover. As she grew, so did her interest in her uncle’s business. Edward was more than willing to share not only his home, but his passion for the E. Metcalfe Mercantile Co.
    â€œYou said ‘we’, uncle.” Bess turned with delight to her “Uncle Joeson”. “Are you staying awhile, Uncle Joeson?”
    The man nodded. A fellow with bronzed, weather-lined features, he had the most kind eyes, Bess thought. And a warm smile. She’d heard stories of cruelty on board the Sea Mistress, but Bess had never, for one moment, believed any of them. She knew her Uncle Joeson; he might be a strict man, but he was a fair one, too. He would never be harsh without good cause.
    Her pleasure with Uncle Joeson’s visit dimmed as it occurred to her that the young, rude sailor might be staying also. “Mr. Garret, will you be visiting relatives while you’re in Delaware?” Her tone was clipped and cold.
    â€œSeth will be staying with us,” Uncle Edward said with a frown. “You will see that a nice room is prepared for him, won’t you, Elisabeth Mary?”
    His uncle’s use of her full name, along with his look of warning, told her that he was annoyed with her.
    â€œI have no family in Delaware, Miss Metcalfe,” Seth said quietly, and she flushed with guilt.
    Later, in her bedchamber, Bess found that she couldn’t put Seth out of her mind. Something about his expression haunted her, but she couldn’t pinpoint what it was. He was attractive, but she was acquainted with a lot of good-looking men. And she never judged a person on the basis of his looks alone.
    â€œWe have guests—did you see them?” she asked her maid Mary later when the servant was helping her dress for the evening meal.
    â€œYes, Miss.” Mary encountered her mistress’s gaze in the vanity mirror. “The captain is here, and a young man . . . a sailor, cook says. A right handsome one, too.”
    Bess looked away. “I suppose some would think him handsome,” she murmured, pretending indifference. “But then sailors are all the same—crude, common, and extremely rude.”
    â€œThat’s not what Mrs. Cookson says,” Mary said as she pinned