by Lori Wick
Sunny's eyes dosed, and Brandon's arms came around her small frame. His hugs always had a way of making her feel like the most cherished girl on earth. He held her dose, and then pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.
"I'm only teasing you," he spoke as he now held her at arm's length. "You will of course receive your gift as soon as we eat."
Sunny's smile was brilliant as Brandon moved away from her, stood at attention, and then offered her his arm, using his best court manners to escort her to supper.
She caught her breath when she saw the captain's dining room. A cream-colored tabledoth was spread on the large table, and the room fairly sparkled from the china and crystalware at each place setting. Candles burned in the center of the table, and the lanterns were turned high.
Kyle was the first to approach, and he came over to Sunny with a grave face. She watched as he produced a star, made from fine white rope, knotted so intricately that it was only three inches across. He handed it to her, pointed to the center, and spoke. "Happy birthday, my lady. I tried to get 15 knots in the center here, seeing as you're 15, but only 14 would fit."
"But Iam14," Sunny told rum with a wide-eyed innocence.
Kyle's own eyes widened with just the right amount of conviction.
77
**I thought you were 15. You look 15."
Sunny beamed up at the man as she uttered a soft word of thanks and thought she'd never met anyone so kind. Kyle was forced to turn away swiftly. She so reminded him of his own Mary, who had turned 14 just last month. She felt just as Sunny did, that growing up couldn't happen fast enough. For this father, who was away most of the time, it came all too swiftly.
Flynn's gift came next. He gave Sunny a slim volume of poetry. She reacted as though she'd never had a gift so treasured. So effusive was her thanks, the older man went away feeling as though she'd givenhima gift.
Billy entered the room at that moment with the first course. Sunny was growing more accustomed to the fare, and the meal was eaten with pleasure. All three men did their best to entertain the birthday girl, and Sunny was a marvelous audience as they told stories of previous sailing days.
Brandon had been to sea for only three years, but both Flynn and Kyle had more than their share of tales and kept up their constant verbal sparring. One hated for the other to have the upper hand, and it was always impossible to know who would have the last line.
Connie had gone out of his way in the galley with both the meal and dessert, and when all had their fill, Brandon produced his own gifts for Sunny. The first thing he handed her was a slim book, looking much like the poetry book from Flynn. He spoke as Sunny looked inside.
"The pages are blank, because it's a journal. I only wish you'd had it from the first part of the voyage, so you could have recorded everything. Somehow, though, I think you'll remember."
"Thank you," Sunny murmured as Brandon paused and reached into his pocket. It was obvious that he had something in his dosed hand, but he spoke without showing it to her.
"Your family had little time to gather their wits when they first heard you were alive. Fm sure by now they all wish they'd have sent birthday gifts, but for now all I have is this."
Brandon opened his hand. Lying in the center of his palm was a gold ring set with a large amethyst stone. He held it out to Sunny, and she took it reverently.
"It belonged to your Grandmama Sunny, and she always wanted you to have it. Heather remembered it just before I left."
All three men watched as she slipped the beautiful stone onto
78
the ring finger of her right hand. The ring was much too large for her tiny finger, and her shoulders slumped a little until she looked to Brandon again. His hand was extended once more, only this time a fine gold chain hung from his fingertips.
"I thought that might still be a bit large for you, so I picked this up in Freeport. Maybe you could wear the ring around your neck until it fits your hand."
Sunny had said nothing during any of this. She watched while Brandon retrieved the ring, slid it expertly onto the chain, and then rose to fasten it around her neck. The ring dropped below the collar of her throat, and Sunny immediately reached for it. She held it up, now nearly cross-eyed trying to see it, and gazed at it for many minutes.
"Thank you, Brandon," she replied finally, and he could see she was fighting her emotions. The men were quiet for the next few moments in an effort to give her privacy, and then Flynn tactfully moved the subject to their return home.
"Another month, I'd say, and we'll be in London."
"I'm thinking we're closer to three weeks," Kyle told him.
"Now what would you be knowing, Kyle? A baby to the seas is what you are."
"That's true if Fm comparing myself to your 70-some years."
Flynn, a man in his fifties, snorted with indignation and the two were off again, much to Sunny's delight. She was drooping hi her chair by the time Brandon called a halt to the festivities. He sent her to the cabin ahead of him, and then had a few words with each man.
Kyle was the last to see Brandon to the door, and he thanked his captain for including him in the party.
"Sunny likes you," Brandon replied. "I knew it would do both of you a world of good, seeing as how you miss your own family."
"Indeed I do, and as a father of some years, may I give you a bit of advice?" the older man asked as his mind's eye pictured Sunny's dark hah*, perfect complexion, and nearly hypnotic eyes. "Keep an eye on that young lady, Cap'n. Lovely as she is now, someday she'll be a priceless jewel. When that day comes, you mark my words, she's going to lead some poor chap on a long, merry chase, and she won't even need to try."
it was the tenth of december when Sunny stood on deck of theflying Surpriseand gained her first view of London. They had come late in the day and hit high tide, enabling them to move up the Thames without delay. Sunny had little time to mentally adjust to the changes about to overtake her.
It had begun to drizzle, and even though Sunny had heard Brandon call to her to put on her cloak, she didn't seem able to move. The town of Freeport had been a surprise to her, but London was a shock. The city was huge. Buildings such as she had never imagined rose above her, and Sunny fought back the panic rising within.
Not having noticed that Brandon had stopped calling to her, she nearly jumped from her skin when he appeared at her side. He had been on the verge of scolding her for standing in the rain, but as he slipped the cloak about her and took in her pale features and wide, frightened eyes, he said nothing. With deft movements, and without taking his eyes from her face, he fastened the satin frogs at her throat and drew the hood over her damp, curling hair.
He had to call her name twice before she dragged her eyes from the passing landscape to look at him. When she did, his heart nearly melted over how young and vulnerable she appeared.
"You're going to be fine," he told her softly. "In no time at all we'll be at your sister's, and you can get settled in your room."
"Does she live on the water?" Sunny's attention was again on the shore.
80
81
**No, she lives in town. We'll be docking and then taking a carriage to her home.** Brandon finished what he wanted to say, but he could see that he had lost her. As he went back to his duties he prayed that he and everyone else would be sensitive to her needs in the hours and days to come.
Just past an hour later Sunny watched a couple come on board ship. Brandon greeted them with obvious delight and familiarity, and Sunny suddenly wanted to run and hide. What if they were her brother and sister? What if they didn't like her? Sunny forced herself to look away from the small group, out over the docks and the busy activity below. She took a deep breath and tried to calm the frantic beating of her heart.
It took some mental scolding, but she succeeded. By the time Brandon called to her, her face was composed and her manner serene. He approached her with a smile and took her arm to lead her to the waiting couple by the gangplank.
"Sunny, this is my brother, Dexter, and this is his fiancee, Judith Brompton. Judith is Cheryl's sister."
The resemblance was apparent in both families, and Sunny immediately relaxed. Dexter was nearly as tall as Brandon and sported the same dark good looks. Judith was much like Cheryl, a few years younger perhaps, but the warmth in her smile was the same.
Without an invitation Judith stepped forward and hugged Sunny. The young girl responded much like she did in Freeport, and before she realized what was happening, Judith was chatting away and leading her down the gangplank to a waiting carriage.
The men followed and, speaking in a low tone, Dexter filled Brandon in on the last four months. Brandon praised God over the news that his grandfather, the Duke of Briscoe, was still alive. He had said his goodbyes before he left, but it had been his deepest hope that the old man would be there when he returned. Both families were well, Sunny's and his own, and everyone was looking forward to being at Bracken, the duke's home, for Christmas.
Sunny, completely unaware of anything but Judith, was listening attentively and doing her best to answer the questions asked of her. The carriage was in motion for some minutes before the conversation
shifted, and for a short while the adults in the carriage conversed alone. In those few moments Sunny let her eyes roam over Judith's beautiful cloak, hat, and dress.
Not wanting to be caught staring, she shifted her eyes to the window, thinking as she did, that both Cheryl and Judith had wonderful taste in clothing. Compared with their outfits, Sunny's cloak and dresses were dowdy. Her attention was then caught by some women who were on the street as the carriage passed. They too were dressed in stylish cloaks with matching hats in gorgeous colors. With sudden and disheartening knowledge, Sunny knew her clothes were all wrong.
Her face burned as questions ran through her mind. Had Calla really been here? Why hadn't Brandon said anything about her clothes being wrong? What would her sister say when she saw her?
"Sunny?" Brandon called her name for the second time, and she turned, just barely remembering to compose her features.
"Yes?"
"Are you all right?"
"I'm fine," she lied smoothly. "Are we nearly there?" Sunny asked the first question that came to mind, anything to keep from dwelling on the way she felt, which was absolutely miserable and on the verge of hysteria.
Brandon glanced out the window. "Another ten minutes. What do you think of the city?"
"Wonderful." Again she lied, but this time Brandon caught it. Wishing they were alone so he could question her further, Brandon smiled gently at her before she turned to look out the window once again.
Heather Jamieson, Sunny's sister, stood in the doorway of what was to be Sunny's room. It was a nice room, functional actually, but Heather didn't want nice or functional, she wanted special. Foster had talked her out of doing any remodeling until Sunny arrived, and now she regretted it. First impressions were so important, and this room had always been a bit dark and masculine.
Foster had reasoned that Sunny would want to have a say in the
82
83
decorating, thinking that would make her feel more at home. As she took in the dark brown draperies, and equally dark carpets and bed hangings, Heather wondered if maybe they hadn't made a mistake.
A moment later, a maid was sent to tell Heather that his lordship and Sunny had arrived. Knowing it was too late to change a thing, Heather took a last glance at the room and told herself not to run as she hurried down the stairs to meet her sister.
Sunny's head tilted back as she took in the four-storied gray-stone mansion that belonged to her sister. With only two other mansions in sight, the street itself was not busy, but the noise of the city streets just a block away could still be heard.
Sunny was rooted to the spot until she felt Brandon's hand on her back. She preceded him up the wide steps. Once at the top the front door opened, seemingly by itself. Dexter and Judith caught sight of Sunny*s serene features as she entered her sister's home for the first time and were very impressed by how well she seemed to be doing.
Brandon, on the other hand, was not fooled a bit. He knew just how well Sunny could hide her thoughts and found himself wishing that Judith and Dexter had not met the ship so they could have had more time to talk. But as with Heather and the bedroom, Brandon also knew that it was too late to change a thing.
Sunny told herself not to look around as her cloak was taken and she moved through the entryway and into a large parlor at the prompting of Brandon's hand. She determined not to think of her dress, cry, or to let herself feel how cold she was. Sunny moved a step closer to the fire for warmth and looked as composed as the queen herself.
Only a moment passed before Sunny saw a woman enter and come toward her. She was taller than Sunny, but the resemblance to her own features was marked. Brandon did not make introductions this time; in fact, he couldn't speak at all after seeing the look on Heather's face. He was sure he must have looked the same when Sunny stepped aboard ship four months ago.
Sunny was still looking like a statue as Heather moved to stand within two feet of her. She smiled into the face that was a younger version of their grandmother. As for Sunny, all she could do was stare.
"Hello, Sunny," her sister said softly. *Tm Heather."
"Hello, Heather," Sunny managed.
Heather could not stay away from her for another moment. She moved then and took Sunny in her arms. Her eyes closed against a rush of tears, and Heather scolded herself over crying.
Sunny was also fighting tears, but of a different nature. The ship had felt so safe, and the air at sea so clean, unlike London, which smelled of sewage. Until they had docked, it had all just seemed like a long, wonderful dream. She'd had all of Brandon's attention, and the reaction of her family was only a thought in her mind. Now she was also having to share Brandon. Since she was now meeting her family in person, imagining them was no longer a game.
What if, after a few months, they feel that my coming here has been a mistake? What if they decide I'd be better off back in Darhabar, and Fm sent away once again?These were the last thoughts that ran through Sunny's mind before Heather released her. Sunny hadn't really hugged her older sister in return, but didn't realize this until Heather held her at arm's length.
None of her disappointment over Sunny's poor response showed on Heather's face. She stood looking into the composed face of her sister, praying for the right words to express her joy over Sunny's return. In an instantaneous decision, she decided to say nothing personal.
"Supper is in 30 minutes. Would you like to see your room or stay here and warm yourself by the fire?"
Sunny knew that Brandon would not be in her room, and wanting to be near him, she opted to stay by the fire. With this decision out of the way, everyone took a seat. It was as if everyone in the room had been holding his breath while Heather and Sunny met, and now the conversation flowed around the youngest member of the family with a familiar ease.
Much to her relief, no questions were directed at Sunny, and it wasn't many minutes before her attention began to wander about the room. Moving nothing more than her eyes, she studied the elaborate fireplace and the portrait hung over the mantel. Her gaze also took in the rich furniture and ornate rugs.
Heather, some feet away from her, could not drag her eyes from her sister's race. Dexter and Judith were talking easily, and Sunny never realized Heather's scrutiny or thoughts.She's so young to hide her fear behind a mask of composure. Do I really have a chance of getting
84
close to this sister who was raised in such a. foreign way?Heather's thoughts made her feel as though she could cry all over again.
Her eyes shifted from Sunny, and she found Brandon's gaze upon her. His look was compassionate, but the small shake of his head told her she couldn't cry right now. Heather sat and prayed. She asked God to rescue her until she could be alone, and rescue her He did. His help came in the form of he
r twin daughters, Diane and Louise. Heather had never been so glad to see them.
"You lived in A palace, Aunt Sunny?" Diane wanted to know.
"Yes," Sunny answered softly and watched both girls' eyes grow wide.
"Then she must have been a princess," Louise breathed after a moment, and the two identical faces turned to each other for just an instant, their young minds filled with grandiose dreams.
"I was not a princess," Sunny told them. "But I was the ruler's daughter."
The question-and-answer session had gone on for some minutes now, but Heather did nothing to interrupt. Sunny seemed a bit more relaxed since the girls' nanny had delivered them, and Heather had to remind herself that even though Sunny was in her generation, she was only six years older than her eight-year-old nieces.
Supper was announced a few minutes later, and Sunny was surprised when the twins bid her goodnight. She too was having a hard time figuring out in which part of this family she belonged and was surprised that the little girls were not eating with them.
Dexter and Judith had been invited to stay for the meal, and even though the food was the best served to her since her journey had begun, the delicious tastes were lost to Sunny's troubled young heart. Her mind ran the gamut from wondering what had become of her trunks to hoping she would never have to look at her clothes again.
When Sunny wasn't thinking about her clothing, she fretted about eating properly. She watched everyone closely in an effort not
86
87
to humiliate herself, something no one at the table missed. In fact, her scrutiny of the others was so keen that she bumped her water glass at one point and filled her plate with liquid.
The decision to run and hide was cut short by the arrival of Foster, Heather's husband. He was late and made his apologies as he moved toward Sunny. He stood looking down at her for just an instant before he spoke.
"Welcome home, Sunny. I'm Foster, and I hope you'll be very happy with us." He bent and kissed her cheek before taking his seat at the head of the table, his kind blue eyes sparkling with pleasure.