She Will Rejoice Read Online Free Page A

food.
                  She stirred it with a fork, “I’m sorry. It is a pity to waste it, but I find I have little appetite this morning. I believe it is due to nerves.”
                  “Nerves?” he rose and offered her a hand.
                  “I am travelling, sir, and everything is such a new experience that I find I cannot do it with the poised demeanor my father was so hoping to instill in me.”
                  Finn’s smile lit his eyes, “I hope you are able to ignore those lessons in etiquette long enough to enjoy the trip.”
                  She laughed back at him as they left the inn together, “It is to be hoped, Mr. Haydn, that I can enjoy our time without abandoning all ladylike behavior.”
                  Once they settled in the carriage for their short trip to the docks, Naomi decided it would be best to clear the air completely regarding the night before.
                  “Finn,” she began carefully, “I am sorry for causing you pain last evening.”
                  She was prepared for the change to his dark mood.
                  “It is best left alone,” he immediately shifted away from her.
                  “I beg to differ, sir,” she pressed him, unafraid. “I think you misunderstood me, and I would like to be clear.”
                  “I understand that you came into this marriage, not of your own choice, but because you were required to do so by your father – a man apparently more concerned about financial gain than about his own flesh and blood.”
                  Naomi was not surprised to him speak of her father in such a manner, but it grated, nonetheless. She decided to put that topic aside for a later time.
                  “Did you believe me to be attached to you?” she had to know.
                  He was surprised by the question.
                  “The first time I met you, we exchanged little more than two words.”
    “I thought you were shy,” he explained with little patience.
    “I hope that wasn’t what caused you to offer your hand to me. I have never been shy.”
    “So I have learned,” his wry response was almost comical.
    “My father told me not to speak because I would frighten you away.”
    He opened his mouth to answer, but the carriage stopped suddenly, forcing Finn to redirect his attention.
    “Have we arrived already?” Naomi twisted to look out the door.
    “No,” Finn’s expression was serious as he exited the carriage quickly. He closed it and turned away but spun back to look at her through the window.
    “Stay in here,” he ordered.
    Naomi hadn’t had any intention of following him out into the dirty streets, but she was now curious as to why he felt the need to tell her to remain in the carriage. She decided to do as she was told, but she did lean as close to the window as she could without actually leaning out of it.
    “I don’t care what the reason,” her husband’s voice was soft, but it carried well.
    The other man’s voice was louder, but he had an accent, and Naomi could not make out much of what he was saying.
    Finn’s volume dropped further.
    Naomi pressed against the door, hoping to better discern the conversation. Unfortunately, the position was awkward, and, after a very short while, her legs began to cramp.
    “Oh, phooey,” she whispered. “I wasn’t hearing anything anyway.”
    She made an attempt to push herself back into her seat, but her foot slipped out from under her. Naomi lost her balance altogether and slammed her shoulder against the inside of the carriage door. Somehow, her brush with the door managed to release the latch, and the door opened.
    Not in any position to catch her descent, Naomi slid, head and shoulders leading the way, out into the muddy street. Her middle and feet followed but not in that order. When she