The Hawk and the Jewel (Kensington Chronicles 1) by Lori Wick Page B

caliber of this one."
    Sunny's eyes were huge in her face over what her anger had caused her to do. She had been warned as a child that her anger was
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    going to land her in trouble someday, but other than the emir administering a hard slap across her face when she'd been nine years old, Sunny had yet to regret her wrathful outbursts. She felt ashamed for the first time, and it was not a feeling she enjoyed.
    "Are you going to punish me?** Sunny's calm voice belied the turmoil within.
    Brandon looked at her, regret knifing through him. She's not sorry, just worried about my punishing her. The thought was deeply disturbing to him.
    ulf you mean, am I going to physically punish you, no, I'm not. But I did have plans for us to go ashore, and now Fm not sure if we should.**
    Sunny looked utterly crestfallen. Brandon continued to watch her, wishing that he could know her thoughts. As it was, he received his wish.
    "I have a temper, and I've been in trouble before because of it."
    Brandon nodded. "I'm glad you're aware of that, Sunny, but I don't want you worried about your punishment alone and not sorry over your actions."
    This was clearly a new thought for the fiery brunette. "I don't know what you mean."
    "I mean.. .** Brandon hesitated, not certain how to explain.
    "I am sorry," Sunny filled the breach with an apology.
    "And I thank you for that apology,** Brandon told her, still not certain that Sunny's heart was in the right place, but knowing that for the moment he would have to be satisfied.
    "We'll be leaving here in two hours." Brandon's gaze pinned her to the floor as he took in her appearance, starting with her bare feet and ending with the mass of curls around her head. "In that time you will clean the mess you've made in this cabin, find a dean dress, and brush your hair. And you need to wear shoes."
    His eyes then lit with humor as all remorse vanished from her face. Sunny hated to be reminded about her hair and clothes, and in a moment it was as if the earlier incident had never happened.
    "Are the people of Freeport so above me that I must dress to please them?" Her chin was nearly in the air, and her eyes were flashing purple fire.
    "We have been invited to lunch," Brandon told her calmly. "A friend of mine lives here. He and his wife are expecting us at 10:30."
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    "Are they English?" The "princess" was gone, and Sunny was 13 once again. She was also breathless with excitement.
    "John is. Cheryl is hah7French."
    Brandon's frame shook with silent laughter as he watched her run for her room, her hands already tearing at the buttons of her dress.
    * * *
    Billy drove the carriage through the streets of Freeport, and Sunny never drew her face from the window. Brandon spent the short ride talking to the back of her head.
    "How long are we staying?" Sunny asked.
    "We sail with the evening tide."
    "Oh!" Sunny exclaimed as though she hadn't heard him. "What is that building?"
    Brandon couldn't answer because she was blocking his view, but she didn't seem to notice.
    "Are we staying the night?" she asked next, and Brandon decided it was best not to answer. She had been a perfect angel since she had appeared in the middle of his now-clean cabin. Her dress was fresh, there were shoes and stockings on her feet, and her hair was brushed smooth, though hanging loose. Brandon helped her with a few pins, and after a bit of work the effect was darling. He'd pulled the sides back away from her face, which only served to accentuate her eyes and high cheekbones even more.
    They were pulling up in front of John and Cheryl's house when Sunny suddenly turned to Brandon with a worried frown.
    "Will I be all right with your friends?"
    "Of course, but there's no need to worry. I'm not leaving you with them."
    "No, no," Sunny frowned at not making herself understood. "Will I say the right things?"
    "I'm sure you will,** Brandon spoke with complete confidence. "Are you worried about whether or not they will like you?"
    "Yes, and my