The Governor's Daughter (Winds of Change Book 1) Read Free Page B

she.
    “That is not unusual, Miss Cathryn. The British readily set up their mistresses. They have found it acceptable to marry for position and take their pleasure from other means. But to have one in their own home! The governor couldn’t do so in England.”
    “Mistresses…lovers? If it is as you say, why wouldn’t Father marry Juriah? Why would he do so? Isn’t it a sin?” Cathryn asked in her innocence.
    Tacy laughed and said in her soft Irish brogue, “Oh, the rich, Miss Cathryn, have a different set of rules of which I’m certain they have negotiated with God Almighty himself.”
    Cathryn pushed back all her thoughts as she walked up a gentle slope and through the rose garden. A huge oak sat alone, shading the area outside a wrought iron fence. She walked without a thought and opened the ornate gate. The flowers she had cut only yesterday had wilted in the vase. The water had run out of the tilted container! She hadn’t secured it well enough, having been in too much of a hurry. She reprimanded herself; she should have known better. Tears welled up. Stupid flowers!
    She bent down and picked up the drooping flowers and threw them over the fence into the woods which edged the small cemetery. She would need to pick fresh ones.
    “Cathryn,” a familiar voice said from behind her.
    Glancing up, she caught sight of her brother. Tall, six feet two inches, long of bone and hard of muscle with a sun-burned face and deep chestnut hair, Sumner was a mirror of her father, except he was a good half a foot taller and with darker coloring. His shirt was disheveled a tad, hanging over his pants. His hair, unkempt, waved in the breeze.
    “You don’t look as if you slept last night,” Cathryn stated plainly upon the sight in front of her.
    “I don’t think many slept last night, Jalyn,” he said, giving Cathryn full warning he was in no mood for bantering. “I wanted to talk with you so no one could hear our words.”
    Cathryn studied her brother for a moment. His expression solemn, looking past her to the graves.
    “You come out here often, I know. Mother has told me. You must find comfort here.”
    Cathryn nodded ever so slightly. The wind picked up, carrying with it the fragrance of all around freshness of the new day, giving way to calm and peace.
    He took in a deep breath. He rubbed his forehead. “We need to talk.”
    “I’m listening, Sumner. I have always listened to you,” she answered. She brushed over the dirt on her skirt.
    “The governor…” Sumner paused. He looked over at her and shook his head. “What was in your head last night with your behavior?”
    “My behavior?” Cathryn countered. “If I were you, I wouldn’t worry about mine. Sumner! Randa?”
    Sumner stared at his sister with his red-streaked eyes. “So it was you I heard outside the Garden house. Cathryn, so help me!”
    “Oh, pooh! Do not start with me, Sumner,” she retorted with a smile. “You are fortunate it was me and not her father! And you ask me what I was thinking!”
    His eyebrow cocked to the side. “I believe I can’t argue that point. Except, my dearest sister, this discussion has nothing to do with me. It is you the governor is concerned with. You have to realize that the governor has his reasons for wanting to send you across the ocean. You need to trust him and it is only for a year.”
    “Would you want to go, Sumner? I know no other life but here. I love my home and I don’t want to be paraded about, Sumner. I won’t fit in. William said…”
    “Look, Jalyn. It would be different for you. I know the talk against the crown. I have listened and if it wasn’t for the governor I might say I couldn’t disagree with some of their points of view. But Jalyn, you are a part of their society by your blood. I can imagine you would be well sought after with all you have.”
    “Would they accept you?” Cathryn countered.
    “Don’t look at me in that manner. They don’t accept me fully here, either, Jalyn. I