Whispers of the Sea (The Compulsion Bride Series) Book II (Unedited)

Part 11- Chapter Eight

Jake blinked and thread his finger's through his hair. He was seeing things, there was no other explanation for this sudden urge of hoping the lady before him was Samantha. The woman was dead for god sake! And here he was imagining that this child's mother was her. Those thoughts immediately vanished when the lady lifted her head and stood, finally acknowledging the others, in her presence.

Unique bright blue eyes as he remembered widen as they stared back at him, she took a wobbling step backwards, careful not to drop the child in her arms. Jake on the other hand, could not move. He stood there transfixed in this new discovery, it was indeed Samantha Wavery. The woman he thought died at sea many years ago. The woman he had mourned for years. There was no doubt in his mind and heart that this wasn't her.

All the blood drain from her face and she looked like she would faint at any moment, as the tears that gathered in her eyes fell on her cheeks, Jake somehow knew they weren't tears of joy of seeing him, they didn't exactly parted on friendly terms years ago. Her lips quivered as she repeated the words, No, so softly that he almost missed it, her head slightly shook and she turned on her heel and race back towards the house.

***

Oh dear god, this can't be happening. He can't be here! Not on this island!

Her chest heaved uncontrollably and it wasn't from racing back to the house with a child in her arms. Placing Adelynn at the bottom of the staircase, Samantha went on her wobbling knees, her entire body was shivering with anew emotions Jake Clairwood the man she had never thought of seeing again was outside her house. "I want you to go to your chamber and don't come down. I'll be up soon to tuck you in." She stumbled out quickly.

"Mama, the monsieur said that he'll help find my papa." Adelynn said pleadingly, peeking over her mother's shoulder.

Samantha was feeling a slight headache approaching, she closed her eyes, for a moment, wishing this was a nightmare and she'll wake up very soon. "Adelynn, just do as you are told! Go!" surging to her feet, she give the child a slight push and turned away as Adelynn broke into a sob and ran up the stairs.

She began pacing the foyer, glancing nervously outside the open door, Jake was still standing there, staring, she could feel his intense gaze. The other two gentlemen were leaning against the carriage conversing, no doubt unaware of what was transpiring. Samantha didn't know how to handle this, not in a million years had she expected this confrontation to happen. Oh but it will happen. Her heart leaped to her throat, when Jake started moving towards the house, his hands lifted to fend off a remark from his companions as he increased his steps. Samantha rushed to the drawing room and took steady breaths, gripping the back of the chair for support awaiting his arrival. He entered moments after, lingering at the doorway. Samantha squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. Nothing had changed since the last time she saw him, except for slight stubble on his face, that made him look much older and striking, his manner of clothing were always prim and elegant when he was not at sea, with a loose linen shirt and breeches. Tonight he looked like an aristocrat; A Duke. His cravat sat neatly around his neck, she could tell he took care in placing it, it was the best she had ever seen, his waistcoat was dark much like his cloak, that hung on broad shoulders in fact everything about him was dark she thought with a grimace, just like his heart.

"Samantha?" The way he whispered her name, made her heart leaped and her traitorous body trembled with an emotion, she dare not address. He took a step forward, hand stretched out in an attempt to touch her to make sure she was real but something brought him to an halt and his hand went back to his side. "You're alive?" His eyes shone with a vulnerability, she had never seen nor ever dreamt he possess. It grew glossy under the candle lights. Samantha thought she had imagine it all when it disappear to be replaced with a glare. Now there's something she remembered. "I certainly wasn't expecting this when I arrived on the island. Who would have thought, I'll find someone that I have been told die at sea years ago?" He shook his head, and as if to calm his nervous, closed his eyes and intake a measured breath between his lips. "How? He asked breathlessly, holding her gaze once more.