Read Ill Wind and Dead Reckoning: Caribbean Pirate Adventure (Valkyrie) for Free Online Page B

looked me up and down in disgust, turned and went inside without a word.
    ‘Those gowns are expensive, child, you need to better care take,’ Jan van Ecken said and followed his son. ‘Get changed quickly, luncheon ready is.’
    I followed them: embarrassed, ashamed and furious. There had not been a single enquiry about my health after such a soaking – the concern had only been for my gown.
    *
    Klara followed me upstairs and I shivered as we got rid of the ruined clothes. I dried my hair as best I could and dressed quickly in the green gown.
    Klara looked in amazement at the gown I’d discarded and I shrugged. ‘Do you think it can be fixed?’
    She smiled at me, ‘I’ll do my best, Miss Gabriella.’ I thought she was going to say something else, but she must have changed her mind.
    ‘Are you laughing?’ I asked, smiling myself.
    ‘Not at all, Miss Gabriella.’ She tied the new stays loosely.
    *
    Downstairs again, I walked through the drawing room into the dining room and sat before a full plate of food. Jan and Erik hadn’t waited for me, and were already eating. We sat in silence until the peppermint tea was served. I’d barely tasted my meal, and wondered what delicious new treat I’d been too anxious to enjoy.
    ‘My son wishes to apologise for the way he earlier to you spoke,’ Jan said, breaking the awkward silence. ‘Our study is out of bounds, we should have told you that, before you in barged.’
    I nodded in acknowledgement, not sure if I was receiving an apology or a reprimand.
    ‘The drawing room is for your private use unless we guests have. You are free for the library to use, although we’d prefer you to bring books to the drawing room to read rather than in there remain.’
    I nodded again.
    ‘There is a collection of books in English near the veranda doors.’
    Now I looked at him in interest, but he’d finished and the two men rose from the table. Erik hadn’t spoken a word.
    *
    I followed them from the room and into the library. They both ignored me and went straight into the study and shut the door. I crossed to the shelves Jan had mentioned and ran my hand over the spines.
    Books in English! There must be a hundred of them . I chose one about Norse mythology and opened the door to the veranda. I could hear raised voices coming from the study, but didn’t care. They could shout at each other as much as they liked.
    I sat in a comfortable chair at the table in front of the drawing room and began to read, soon losing myself in tales of ancient gods, Valkyries and Nordic heroes.

Chapter 11
     
     
    At the dinner table again, I stared at my plate. Jan and Erik were arguing in Dutch once more. Truth be told, it was less awkward than sitting in silence, but only marginally, and I’d had enough.
    ‘Do you have any idea how rude you’re being?’ I said. They stopped talking and stared at me in surprise.
    ‘You’ve brought me to this house and expect me to marry into this family, yet you rarely speak to me. Now, at the dinner table, you’re speaking a language I don’t understand. I can’t follow the conversation. I can’t join in. I am not included in any way.’ I was near tears with the frustration of my brief stay. Jan looked shocked, Erik angry, but I couldn’t hold back the words.
    ‘I was subjected to the company of pirates at my first dinner here, and have never heard such language or seen such table manners before. I have not been shown around the house or estate, and was spoken to in the worst manner imaginable when I explored on my own!’
    I stopped, breathing heavily, surprised at myself. I’d never have dared to speak to Father this way, and I could barely believe I’d found the courage to speak to the van Eckens like this. I only knew I couldn’t live the rest of my life the way I’d lived the last few days.
    After a moment, Jan spoke. ‘You are quite right, my child, we have been neglecting you. There has not for two years a woman in this house been, and we