Beloved Captive Read Online Free Page A

bested the last vestiges of her fear and threatened mutiny. “I shall leave on the morrow, Father, likely never to return. I do, however, extend the warmest invitation for you to visit my humble home in Fairweather Key once your recovery is complete. And lest you forget it, I did return at your request, so if I cannot be counted as proud to be a Gayarre at least I can be counted as the one Gayarre under this roof whose word is worth something.”
    “Go then. You’re no more her that…” He looked away. “Just go.”
    She turned on her heels and made for the door, eyes focused on the ornately carved wood. A rustling behind her signaled her father had moved, but she continued walking. Only if he begged her to stay would she consider it.
    Too soon her fingers touched the cold doorknob. Deliberately slowing her motions, Emilie gave her father one last chance to cry out, to stop her.
    Silence.
    The door swam before her as renegade tears pooled. Emilie straightened her backbone and blinked hard, refusing to swipe at her wet cheeks lest her father be watching. She yanked hard and the door opened. Before she could change her mind, Emilie stepped into the dark hallway, disappearing, she hoped, into the shadows.
    There she remained for an eternity, the only sound the ticking of the monstrous clock at the opposite end of the hall. Finally, shaking knees threatened to give way, so she turned to glance one last time into the bedchamber of her father.
    In the pale firelight she saw—or perhaps she only imagined—a tear sliding down his cheek. His right hand held tight to the coverlet, fingers clenching and unclenching as if making a fist, then thinking better of it.
    As if even now in the throes of death he fought on.  
    Emilie clutched her hands across her middle as the realization struck. Death would soon take another Gayarre. Had it been only two years since she lost her brother Andre? Soon there would be none left save her and Isabelle.
    She spied the miniature and felt the sharp pain of reminder. Indeed, she had a mother somewhere. Philadelphia, she’d once overheard, but that was so long ago.
    “Father, forgive me,” she heard her father whisper as his fingers stilled. “For I knew exactly what I did and cared not.”
    She waited for him to move again, prayed he had not stepped into the afterlife while she watched. Finally she could remain still no longer.
    “Papa?” She burst from the shadows, compelled to move toward the curtained bed.  
    “Leave him be, child. He gets this way of an evenin’, but he’s generally recovered by breakfast time.”  
    Emilie whirled around to see a familiar face standing in the doorway. The woman who’d once conspired to help her now seemed sorry to see her. “Mama Dell. I wondered if you were still in his employ.”
    A movement stirred beneath the blankets, and her father’s voice crackled once more. “I daresay Delilah will be in my employ as long as my wretched life continues.”
    “He’s right,” she said, her dark eyes never straying from the old man’s face. As soon as the words were out, her expression softened, and she moved toward them. “You look tired, Mademoiselle Emilie.” Her petticoats swished as she walked. “Perhaps Sadie can draw you a bath.”
    In reality, such luxury was the farthest thing from her mind. “Thank you, but I think not,” she managed to respond.  
    “Indeed, she shall,” her father said. “But I would have you see to it yourself.” He paused. “Immediately.”
    The old woman looked as if she might argue but apparently thought better of it. “Of course,” she purred softly.  
    When the door closed, Emilie felt her father’s hand on her sleeve. “I would have you remain here with me.” He paused to stare into her face. “I require it.”
    The shock of his demand rendered her momentarily speechless. “You require it?” she finally managed. “I don’t understand. I came when summoned, and I am quite available to you while I