Page 7 of Starting Something

My father's mouth is slightly ajar at Shephard's words, but Shephard isn't done.

"And as for her undergarments - as her husband, I will see to what she wears or doesn't wear. Corsets are not good for the baby."

My eyes widen at the mention of a baby once more, but I remain quiet. And watchful. My father on the other hand doesn’t comprehend how close to danger he is.

"There are things she can wear while she's increasing. Her mother wore them all during her breeding time. She doesn't have to walk around like a shameless hussy letting her figure go to pot just because she's bagged herself a husband finally."

My mother gasps as I jump up before Shephard can go for my father's throat. Hell has taken up residence in his eyes and I have no doubt he has any qualms about yanking my father across the table. "You mentioned the beach and how there was an old lighthouse here. I would like to see it now. If you aren't terribly busy of course."

I hold out my hand and say a prayer that he takes it. He looks down at it and takes it quickly in his. He brings my hand to his mouth. "If you will excuse us, Mother Drayton."

He bows to my mother before offering his arm to me. Out of earshot of the dining room, he leans closer to me, "Why did you do that?"

"Do what?" I feign ignorance.

"Stop me from teaching your father the common manners that he is sorely lacking."

"Because I don't want to be a wife visiting the local jail to spend time with her husband. Not that I wouldn't."

He throws his head back and laughs. All anger seems to be forgotten.

"Sweet Tilly, the world we live in is a barbaric place for all of its niceties." We amble down the dirt street. "A man has a right to defend what is his, especially on his own land... and we are on MY island."

My mouth forms a perfect 'o' at the implications of what that means.

"What I say is law here - I am the law on this island, so never fear, sweet girl."

We keep going down the road until the land gets flatter and turns to more and more sand. We finally come to where the land meets the ocean. The sky is a beautiful bright blue that is very similar to the eyes of the man I am standing beside.

We walk along the edge of the shore while Shepherd points out certain wildlife to me. "Do you know how to swim, Tilly?"

I shake my head no.

"I can teach you."

"Really?" He nods. The thought of being in the water with him is almost taboo. But then I find that I don't fully want to tell him no either. The lighthouse rises up as the ground turns a bit rockier. Shephard leads us away from the shore and up a gently sloping hill. The lighthouse sits up on a cliff with little houses surrounding it. We make our way over to the stairs that lead up to the red door. Once inside I can tell someone stays here but there really isn't a house connected to it. We go up the stairs stopping to look out the tiny windows on each level.

It's not cramped or dusty inside like I thought it would be. Someone takes very good care of it. "Is there a keeper?"

"I hired two brothers to take turns looking after the light night after night. That way they are never without their families for too long before the other brother steps in and takes his turn."

I can tell my face must give away the fact I am shocked. That is...very progressive, sweet to think of the families, and smart to keep everyone involved happy.

"That seems very...smart. The way you have it set up with the two families. Are their houses the ones outside?"

He gives me a nod before helping me up the last couple of steps that are a little steeper than the rest. He leads me around the big lamp in the middle of the room. I gasp once I focus my attention on something other than the enormous light. It is beautiful up here. I can see... forever it seems.

"It's beautiful."

"Yes, beautiful." I turn to find that he’s not taking in the view I am but rather looking at me. Pink hits my cheeks in the form of heat and I turn my attention back to the body of water stretching out in front of me.

"Would you like to go outside?"

"What? We can? Go out there?" He nods and a mischievous smile stretches across his face as he takes my hand in his. We step outside and the breeze catches loose strands of my hair and tosses them about.

I grasp onto Shephard's hand like it is a lifeline. He pulls me closer and I go willingly this time. No questions asked, no quibbles. "I would never let you get hurt."

It's a whisper in my ear but the echo of it reverberates through my being. Does he really mean that? Is he going to take care of me forever and protect me always - even against himself? We walk along the edge until we come to the side facing the mainland nearby.

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