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

Part 11 - Chapter Eleven

The jingling of coins broke through the still darkness of the night as Samantha’s hands greedily withdrew the pouch bags from the drawer and stuff it inside the large satchel that sat on top of the desk. Rushing towards the book shelve, she took her medicine book, opened it to make sure her bank notes were there and threw it inside the satchel. Spotting her doctor's bag leaning beside the desk, she went on her knees and started emptying the contents on the floor. Samantha gathered the necessities she needed; bottles of medicines, delivery tools, bandages, it would only slow her down if she carry  such a heavy leather bag. But my god, she loved the bag, it has tiny compartments everywhere for addition storage, and Juliette had given it to her as a present, with a sigh of resentment she left the bag on the floor and stood hugging the items to her chest. The items protest as they were released in the satchel. Closing the satchel, she threw it over her shoulder, it was large but with just clothes and few of Adelynn’s playthings it was manageable for her to carry with ease. 

Monsieur Lois burial was brief and held in the morning when the sun shone brightly in the cloudless sky, a large crowd, had come to pay their last respects to the gentle old man and Samantha had no trouble avoiding Jake’s presence as she was occupied, conversing with few friends and patients. It’s the least she could say for Adelynn who had rushed to him the minute she lay eyes on her father, much to Samantha’s dismay. And as if that wasn’t enough her daughter had kept everyone informed of Jake’s relationship to her. Adelynn was glowing with happiness and guilt had crept within her of the thought of causing her daughter anguish in the future. After, the coffin disappeared with the blanket of dirt, she faked a slight headache, excusing herself and Adelynn from the grievers and left. Samantha didn’t get to finish packing after Jake’s departure and abrupt set wedding date as her services were needed for a delivery that lasted throughout the night. 

Now she must not delay. 

Samantha hesitated at the doorway of her study, turning she took a last look at the space that held so many memories, the moonlight seems to glow over each object bringing it alive, she had spend more hours in this room than her own bedchamber, it held so many secrets, so many joys, she close the door with a sad sigh, walking briskly up the darkened staircase. Adelynn was lying in bed, asleep and she shook the child. “Adelynn my love, you need to wake up.” 

“A baby?” The child said groggily, siting up and rubbing her eyes. 

“Yes.” Samantha lied, bringing the green cloak, from where it sat on the rocking chair and draped it over the child’s shoulders. She had allowed Adelynn to sleep in her favorite gown, she had worn to monsieur Lois funeral, making it much faster for their haste departure. Resting the satchel on the edge of the bed, she bend to retrieved the boots and quickly slipped it on her daughter’s tiny feet. “We need to be quick about it.”

Adelynn nodded, the routine normalize by her accompanying Samantha many times on late night deliveries before, Samantha smiled, pressing her lips to her daughter's forehead. She then pulled the hood over the child’s head and helped her off the bed. “Come.” Swinging the satchel over her shoulder once again, Samantha lead the way towards her bedchamber and pry the window open, the rush of cold air, cause her to slightly shiver, sticking her head outside, she saw the ladder was where she left it under the window and nodded affirmatively to herself upon shaking it and it didn’t move. 

“Mama, why are we in your bedchamber?” Adelynn cocked her head curiously at her.

“We are going to play a game and climb down the ladder.” She took Adelynn and placed her on the ledge. The child’s eyes widen as she looked out the window. “Don’t be scared I’ll go first and then you follow understand?” 

Adelynn reluctantly nodded, then asked. “Why don’t we use the door, mama?”

She didn’t want to take the front door, a precaution for if Jake decided to have her watched. Last night, she had the odd feeling of someone following her, it might have been her own, paranoid mind but still she needs to be careful. This was her last chance to escape Jake Clairwood and this time, she would make sure, he never finds them again. The backyard of the house was filled with trees and beyond that was a large stream that leads to a secluded part of the docks for fishermen and smugglers. It was a risk for her as a woman to go to such parts so late at night, but she knew one of the men; had helped saved his wife and thus, he was in debt to her and after slipping him a note at the funeral. He had confirmed his agreement to be of assistance with a surreptitiously nod of the head during the church ceremony. They will be off the island and hidden before anyone finds them missing. 

Samantha thrust one of her leg out the window, it dangled in the air, feeling for the steps of the ladder, the wind was brutal and it took longer than she intended for her to find the first wooden steps. Cursing softly, Samantha swung her other foot out and held onto the side of the ladder, the wind swept the hood of her dark cloak off her head, sending her hair spiraling wildly as if they were waving for help. She looked up at Adelynn, giving her a comforting smile and adjusted the straps over her arm. Slowly she placed one foot after the other, Counting the steps as she descended, for she dare not look down until the last, heights have always terrified her but she always finds herself doing the most courageous things when desperation was the only option. She had almost reached the ground when she stiffened, at the smell of the ocean.

“Here, let me give you a hand.”

Samantha’s hand grabbed the side of the ladder tightly, dumbfoundedly, she slowly looked down to see a terribly angry duke glaring up at her, his hands held her waist and she gasped, more from the sensation of having his hands there than the realization that she’ll been caught. 

“Papa!” Adelynn shouted, with excitement. Samantha looked up at the window to see the child retrieving back inside.

Samantha's trembling fingers involuntarily released the ladder, and he lifted her effortless and placed her on the ground. The satchel slipped from her shoulder and she twirled around to face him with a startled angry expression. 

“Where the bloody hell are you off too?” He growled. 

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Just a short update passing through

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