The English Lily (Tales of the Scrimshaw Doll) by Kae Elle Wheeler Page A

snugly at her side, its painted eyes mocking him.
    Brooding, he’d taken the chair, eaten, and watched the fire from the hearth play over her delicate features. Now that he’d secured her in matrimony, he felt strangely fretful, guilty . But that was ridiculous, and he shoved away the plaguing notions. He would draft a note to his father on the morrow. That, at least, was one worry he could assuage.
    Joseph knew he’d never convince Kendra they needn’t travel to Sunderland to see Thomas’s maman . He could give her that. What was an added day, besides? Admittedly, her loyalty to Charles Thomas disturbed him. Surely, she hadn’t fallen for the man. He thought about her attachment to Alessandro de Lecce. She was just young.
    In any event, there would be plenty of time to talk on their way to Yorkshire. Joseph knew how to charm a woman. He smiled. And she was attracted to him. He’d wager the Yarmouth title. Hell, the lands, too.
    Kendra’s steady breaths soothed him like a lullaby, and he drifted into a fitful sleep.
    ****
    Kendra woke slowly, aware that the day ahead would wreak emotional havoc. Mrs. Thomas deserved to know her son would not be returning home, to know what a truly wonderful and unselfish man he was.
    The problem Kendra faced was in explaining how she’d ended up in Gretna Green, married, while poor Mr. Thomas had been hit by a musket ball on a ship in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, attacked by pirates.
    She drew her arms over her head and stretched. It dawned on her that she was able to move her legs freely about, nothing heavy weighing them down. She sat up quickly, frightened. He’d left her, already .
    But no. He slept in the chair, head at an odd angle, while the doll took up the place next to her. Kendra let out a measured breath, relieved.
    Strange. Joseph must have laid the doll beside her, not wishing to sleep just yet, then dozed off in the chair. Either that, or…or he found her undesirable. Mayhap, the desire was only hers? That couldn’t be it. His kiss was too alluring.
    Frustrated with her unhappy thoughts, Kendra decided to incorporate Mr. Thomas’s other recommendations. After all, his death should not hinder her pursuit of higher learning. She would make his visions come to light.
    ****
    Joseph woke, with a stiff neck, to see his young wife fully dressed. Sitting at the small table, she moved an index finger in soft, nondescript patterns he couldn’t make out. Her delectable mouth formed words, soundlessly.
    The thought that she might someday take an inclination to use those slim fingers on him drew an audible groan.
    She started. “Oh, you’re awake, my lord.” She shoved a piece of paper into her pocket and jumped to her feet. “We should get an early start, my lord. I’m anxious to speak with Mrs. Thomas.”
    “Of course, my dear. But, mayhap you’ll allow me a change of clothing and a moment to send a note to my father informing him we are, indeed, alive and well.”
    She colored prettily. “Of course.”
    “You might wish to do the same. I’m sure the earl will be concerned.” He spoke gently. After all, their whole ordeal was due to her running away in the first place, but he kept the sentiment to himself.
    Kendra moved to the bed, her back to him, busying herself with smoothing the covers. “Oh, well, um, yes. I-I’ve already taken care of that,” she said quickly.
    That was a welcome surprise. ’Twas best all around if she informed her father of their nuptials. Perhaps then the earl mightn’t be in such shock when she showed up on his doorstep with Joseph on her arm.

Chapter Eight
    The outbuildings were becoming more frequent, even if the road was not so well traveled. Joseph found himself continually pleased by Kendra’s melodic voice. The variety of topics she was versed in astounded him. The horses clopped along at a leisurely pace.
    “And what of Eliaser Bamberg, the Dutch magician?” Kendra asked. “Have you encountered him in your