Captain of Second Chances by Jennifer Monroe EPUB & PDF – eBook Details Online
- Author: Jennifer Monroe
- Language: English
- Formats: PDF / EPUB
- Status: Available for Download
- Series: None
- Price: Free
- File Size: 2 MB
Chatsworth, May 1806
She had yet to encounter him. The previous week, Miss Ruth Lockhart
came across a telescope at the Chatsworth pawn shop. Its previous owner was
a man with whom she had become infatuated from the moment she first saw
him two years earlier.
During that winter break when most of the students had returned home
for the holidays, a fierce winter storm had blown into the area, bringing with
it blustering winds that uprooted more than one tree, and snow so thick, few
dared to go out in it.
One rider, weary from his fight against the elements, had stumbled upon
Courtly Manor, asking for refuge from the storm. Upon hearing his name,
Ruth found herself smiling as she never had before.
Captain Luke Bannermann.
Mrs. Rutley, being the kind woman she was, offered him one of the guest
rooms in the rarely used east wing on the opposite side of the house from the
students. The captain joined them for their meals and sat in the drawing room
for drinks, telling harrowing tales about life at sea. What a sea captain was
doing so far inland, Ruth did not know, but she counted it as one of many
blessings, for she might never have met him otherwise.
Ruth was unsure what was more fascinating, his tales or his rugged good
looks. His hair was dark and was longer than was the current style. He had a
chiseled jaw, warm brown eyes, and large arm and leg muscles that pressed
against the fabric of his clothing, likely made taut from years spent working
on the decks of the ships he sailed.
During one such story, with Ruth and Mrs. Rutley as his audience, a loud
scream made the captain pause midsentence. All three glanced toward the
door before Mrs. Rutley hastily excused herself, leaving Ruth alone with the
captain. This gave her the rare opportunity to ask a simple question.
“Will you return to Chatsworth in two years—when I’ve finished my
studies—and take me away with you?”
Who cared that her request was as forward as a harlot in a tavern? Her
boldness had served her well and always got her what she wanted. She had no
reason to believe it would not do so now.
Captain Bannermann had given her request serious thought. Or so she
believed, for he rubbed his chin in that way men tended to do whenever they
were in deep contemplation.
“We’ve known each other for such a short time, Miss Lockhart,” he had
said. “Surely, you cannot believe a few hours of conversation is a sufficient
amount of time to be considered a proper courtship?” The twinkle in his eyes
belied his words, causing her heart to thump in her chest.
“We both know it is more than enough,” she had replied, giving him a
grin that one could have only described as sheepish.
Ruth chuckled at the memory. She, Miss Ruth Lockhart, giving a man a
sheepish grin? Who would have believed such a thing! Yet, that was exactly
what she had done.
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