The Governor's Daughter (Winds of Change Book 1) by Jerri Hines

with the breeze blowing back his natural dark hair. During the voyage, he hadn’t worn his wig.
    At times, he would catch her studying him with her sketch pad in hand. He would just smile, a disarming, charismatic smile. Her heart fluttered at his presence.
    She lived for the walks after dinner when he escorted her around the deck. They talked of everything. She told him of her life at Elm Bluff and he listened. He talked of his home in such a way she longed to see the ocean waves crash against the cliffs.
    Tacy watched but said nothing to Cathryn. She didn’t have to, for Mrs. Montgomery had observed the growing connection between the two.
    Mrs. Montgomery hinted to Cathryn to be careful with her new friendship, but Cathryn, as was her manner, paid no mind to the warning. To Cathryn’s thinking, she wasn’t doing anything wrong…until Mrs. Montgomery cornered Cathryn shortly before the end of their journey.
    “You will love London, Cathryn, and will be quite a huge success,” Mrs. Montgomery said. “I hope, though, no one will say anything about Lieutenant Pennington.”
    “Lieutenant Pennington?” Cathryn asked, indignant by the implication.
    “Well, dear, I have been responsible for you. I know there has been nothing inappropriate, but I hope no one gets another impression. I know that both of you are young. It was only natural to be drawn to each other,” Mrs. Montgomery rattled on.
    “Mrs. Montgomery! Nothing…”
    “Now, now, dear, calm down. I know. I talked with Mr. Montgomery about this at length last night. It’s just coming into England, your grandparents will have certain expectations and it doesn’t come with a poor young lieutenant upon your arm,” Mrs. Montgomery said frankly.
    “I can assure you…”
    Mrs. Montgomery reached over and patted Cathryn’s hand. “I know, child. I have become quite fond of you. If I ever have a girl, I would want her to be just as you are. Kind, compassionate. I see the empathy in your eyes…your actions, but I would be doing you an injustice if I didn’t try to tell you what I see.
    “You don’t have your mother. God bless her soul. But when we left Charles Town, I thought you and William Peyton might be making a match of it with you talking of only staying a year. And now this young lieutenant…”
    “Mrs. Montgomery, I can assure you that William and I have no agreement. We are friends, only. As for the lieutenant…”
    Mrs. Montgomery wouldn’t let her finish a sentence. “That is good for I had feared there was another complication. With being responsible for your welfare, I don’t want you to tarnish your reputation. Your father put such faith into me.”
    Cathryn took a deep breath. She could see Tacy sitting by, holding back laughter for her to have taken such a lecture and had no opportunity to defend herself.
    Mrs. Montgomery had said what was needed, but what she didn’t know was that Cathryn would never meekly walk away.
    * * * *
    A chill was in the air. Pulling her shawl tighter around her, she stood in the night’s breeze and inhaled deeply.
    Tacy hadn’t said a word. There was no need. Cathryn realized Tacy feared she was asking for trouble. She was. She had to see him.
    Above her, a quarter moon sat in the cloudless sky and reflected off the still ocean water. Cathryn stared upward hoping…praying Jake would appear. Then he was there.
    “I’m glad to have found you here,” he said, walking up beside her.
    “I’ve been warned, Lieutenant, not to linger long in your company. Mrs. Montgomery is afraid people will begin to talk. I don’t think she wants to be held responsible for my tarnished reputation.”
    “I see nothing wrong,” he said. “Your maid is within reaching distance and I imagine can hear every word we say.”
    She turned abruptly right into him. His hand went around her waist. Instinctively, she looked up into his eyes.
    Mesmerized, she couldn’t breathe as he reached over and caressed her face. She melted