Sea of Desire (48 page)

Felicity sat on the settee, her carpetbag
nestled on the cushion beside her and longed to do the same. The
sight of food made her salivate and she swallowed, trying not to
show how hungry she was.

It seemed to take forever for Mrs. Blackstone
to pour the tea and Ruth to pass it. When the platter of cakes was
finally offered, Felicity’s hand shook as she reached for the
largest. She nearly sighed as her teeth sank into the sugary
confection.

“Well, I guess ye heard the news.” Felicity
paid little heed to the black woman’s announcement until she caught
a glimpse of Judith’s expression as she reached for a second
cake.

“I’ll tell her Ruth. You may leave now.”
Judith’s lips thinned when she noticed the black woman didn’t
move.

“Tell me what? What is it Judith?”

“I would have preferred to relay this to you
after you rested.” Judith scowled at Ruth, who was still in the
room. “I know how tired you must be.”

“Stop chattering away and get on with it. I’m
not the least fatigued.”

Well, if she wasn’t, Felicity certainly was.
She almost asked if she could be shown to her room, but Eveline’s
annoyed voice stopped her. “Whatever are you searching for,
Judith?”

Looking up from the drawer she’d opened,
Judith shook her head. “I know my smelling salts are here
somewhere. Ruth, did you take them?”

“Of course she didn’t,” Eveline answered for
her servant. “You’re the only one who ever needs them, Judith. Now
will someone please tell me what’s going on?”

By this time Judith found the small bottle
and Felicity’s curiosity was piqued.

“It’s Devon,” Judith began and paused.

“Devon?” Felicity glanced toward Mrs.
Blackstone when she said the name. Perhaps she’d need the smelling
salts after all. Her face was ashen. “Has... has something happened
to him?”

“Oh, Good Lord no.” Judith brushed the
thought aside. “Your grandson has the proverbial nine lives. It’s
just that according to Ruth he’s back in Charleston.”

For the first time in their short
acquaintance Felicity saw the sharp-tongued Eveline Blackstone
actually smile. And though she was still tired and uncomfortable
and had no idea how she was going to accomplish her goal, Felicity
smiled too.

“Yes ma’m,” Ruth said when Eveline questioned
her. “Heard ‘bout it this mornin’. That boy done ran through them
Yankee ships again.”

*********

written under the name:

Christine Elliott

The Captain’s Conquest,

written under the name:

Christine Dorsey

The Traitor’s Embrace

Southern Nights

Bold Rebel Love

The Captain’s Captive

The Rebel’s Kiss

Sea Fires

Sea of Desire

Sea of Temptation

Sea of Christmas Miracles
(novella)

My Savage Heart

My Seaswept Heart

My Heavenly Heart

Splendor

The Renegade

The Rebel

The Rogue

By the Book

Under His Spell
(novella)

The Way to a Man’s Heart
(novella)

A Bride’s Desire
(novella)

Christine Dorsey lives in Richmond, Virginia
with her proof that there are “happily ever afters”, her husband of
forty-four years, Chip. She has three grown children, a son and
daughter-in-law, and four of the most delightful grandchildren
imaginable... just ask her. She also has a Springer Spaniel puppy,
Stella, who keeps the household more than lively. Besides her
family and friends, reading, writing and love of the sea are her
passions. The author of seventeen books and four novellas with more
to come, Christine loves to share the stories and characters that
had
Romantic Times Magazine
calling her “one of the most
talented authors in the genre.” You can follow her on
Facebook
,
Twitter
and her
website,
www.christinedorsey.com