Thursday, May 21, 2020
Typhoon Haiyan - 2640 Words
H1008 H1008 Current Events Goals for this project: To understand the overall importance of being aware of current events. For this project you will choose a news story that happened in the past week and either read an article about it (print or online), or watch the entire coverage of it on television. You will then answer the following questions in a list format. (Label your answer with the corresponding question.) Make sure you answer each question adequately. 1. What news story did you read about or watch? Give a short summary. What was the source that you got this information from? The Haiyan Super Typhoon was the most power typhoon ever recorded. It hit the island country of the Philippines with horrible devastation. As many asâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦Once your teacher has scored each trait he/she will convert rubric scores to the Academy grade scale. Please study the chart below so to understand how to improve your writing and your project scores. 6 Traits + 1 Rubric Trait 5 3 1 Ideas: The main message of the piece, the topic, with supporting details that enrich and develop that topic. 2 This paper is clear and focused. It holds the readerââ¬â¢s attention. Relevant anecdotes and details enrich the central theme. 1. The paper is on the topic assigned, or one of the options, and focused. 2. Relevant, quality details go beyond the obvious. 3. Writing from knowledge or experience; ideas are fresh and original. 4. Readerââ¬â¢s questions are anticipated and answered. The writer is beginning to define the topic, even though development is still basic or general. 1. The writer strays off topic 2. Support with details is attempted. 3. Writer has difficulty going from general observations about the topic to specifics. 4. The reader is left with questions. The paper has no clear sense of purpose or central theme. The reader must make inferences based on sketchy or missing details. 1. The writer has not written on the assigned topic or options given. 2. Information is unclear or the length is not adequate for development. 3. Simply a restatement of the instructions. 4. The writing may be dis- connected, repetitious, and includeShow MoreRelatedThe Typhoon that Hit the Philippines on Novemebr 7th and 8th of 2013554 Words à |à 2 PagesTyphoon Haiyan The typhoon that hit the Philippines on November 7th and 8th of 2013 was no mediocre typhoon. In fact, it is being hailed a super typhoon, and equivalent of a Category 5. The wind speeds of Typhoon Haiyan reached 195 on landfall which was 5 miles per hour higher than the previous record set by Hurricane Camile in 1969; when gusting Haiyan reached wind speeds of 235 mph. The main force of the typhoon hit the south shores of Samar Island and the city of Guiuan which has a populationRead MoreA Bloody Clash Of Philippine National Police1504 Words à |à 7 PagesOcean such as Tsunamiââ¬â¢s and Typhoons, for an example Typhoon Haiyan that made land fall on 4 November 2013. Typhoon Haiyan is the most deadly typhoon recorded in Philippines history. Typhoon Haiyan highest winds speeds recorded were 195mph and sustained wind speeds of 145mph. These high wind speeds resulted in 6,340 killed and about another 1,061 missing. The property damage estimate around 2.63 billion US dollars or 126.301 billion Philippine Pesos (Typhoon Haiyan, 2015). In install reportingRead MoreAccountability Is The Foundation For Humanitarian Aid1248 Words à |à 5 Pagesthe Typhoon Haiyan, even though it is still not the most productive effort, While the Typhoon Haiyan example of an integrated multi-agency feedback and response mechanism offers hope of a more coordinated and coherent approach to accountability, it is not yet clear whether this represents the beginning of a new trend or remains an isolated pocket of promising practice, particularly as Haiyan was a natural disaster with successes not available in conflict crises. The example of Typhoon Haiyan responseRead MoreThe Cause And Effect Of Typhoons2046 Words à |à 9 PagesThe controversy faced by the Philippines is Typhoons. On average, typhoons strike the Philippines at least 20 times and among them, five are regarded to be devastating. An example of such destructive typhoons is Typhoon Haiyan (also known as Super Typhoon Yolanda) that struck on November 2nd, 2013, and lasted till November 13th, 2013. This report is relevant because itââ¬â¢s stated, as above, by the Asian Disaster Reduction Centre (ADRC) that a least 20 typhoons times a per year, five are devastating, whichRead MoreMalnutrition in the Philippines Essay1099 Words à |à 5 Pagescountryââ¬â¢s overwhelming poverty rates (about 27.9 percent of the populace) depriving its people of food, and raging typhoons (such as Super Storm Haiyan) have only exasperated the problem (Calderon). In addition, when the countryââ¬â¢s people do have access to food, they rarely have the necessa ry fruits or vegetables for a balanced diet. Through poverty, a lack of produce, and regular typhoons, malnutrition in the Philippines unleashes widespread health endangerments that range from blindness to death, especiallyRead MoreEssay about Access to Food, Clean Water, and Shelter1059 Words à |à 5 Pagesmoney if people have a high income. That money would add up and substantially help the cause to give access to food, clean water, and shelter. ââ¬Å"Global Impact Charities Provide Aid After Typhoon Haiyanâ⬠(Charity). Charities around the world came through to help the Philippines with food and shelter after Typhoon Haiyan destroyed millions of peoples homes. This shows the impact that charities can have if everyone helps the cause. If each person would choose to donate money instead of buying somethingRead MoreThe Post Cold War Era1521 Words à |à 7 Pageshelp foster a more cosmopolitan public, itââ¬â¢s campaigns have also exemplified the post-humanitarianism conce pt. (Social Media) For the purpose of this essay, I analyze of the #unselfie campaign on Twitter and Instagram in support of the victims of Typhoon Haiyan which highlights many of the characteristics of post-humanitarianism charitable action. As Lilie Chouliaraki argues, in the post-humanitarianism era, individuals are no longer influenced to donate to charitable causes by grand emotions and ideologyRead MoreThe Philippines : A Modern Age1597 Words à |à 7 Pagesstill been military coups and threats from Islamic groups attempting to turn parts of the Philippines into an Islamic nation. In addition, the location of the Philippine islands places them in the typhoon belt causing the island to suffer heavy blows several times yearly, including the most powerful typhoon to ever strike land in the known history of man. Current Events Philippines and China. While there is still much internal strife, the Philippines has to deal with external demands, namely the longstandingRead MoreThe Cold War Period ( 1945-1991 )1359 Words à |à 6 Pagesdamage to major cities and create widespread fears of safety amongst populations of people. This embodied in the ocean storm- super typhoon Haiyan of November 2013, known as one of the most destructive and powerful storms recorded. Typhoon Haiyan, went over parts of the Pacific Ocean, five and a half degrees Fahrenheit hotter than average, before it made landfall. The typhoon resulted in 6,340 casualties and billions of dollars worth of damage. Similar disasters occur as a result of climate change, belowRead MoreYolanda: Deadliest Natural Disaster Essay533 Words à |à 3 Pagescausing catastrophic widespread damage and forcing countless of people to flee to safer ground. Haiyan was one of the most powerful typhoons ever recorded. Over oodles of houses were damaged and despoiled . Many residents in the worst hit areas are still without proper shelter and in lamentable state as they try to rebuild their terribly outraged homes after desolating the reported places. Disastrous Super Typhoon Yolanda smashed painfully hard into the central island of Samar early on Friday morning. Tremendous
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
A Public Administrator s Biggest Concern - 1504 Words
Public administration is often times the enforcement of government policy and also academic discipline that prepares people for working in the public service. It is a field with a diverse scope. The goal is to have advance management and policies so that the government can function. A public administratorââ¬â¢s biggest concern is having a sense of organization with government policies and programs. Often times many unelected officers can be considered heads of city, county, regional, state, and federal departments. Some federal departments can include municipal budget directors, human resources administrators, city managers, census managers, state mental health directors, and cabinet secretaries. Public administrators can work in public at all levels of government. The history of public administration has ancient origins. The Egyptians and Greeks organized their government by public office. These office holders would be accountable for managing justice, law and order, and providing things for the people. The Romans also had a system like this, but it was much more complex. This system was under their empire. They also had an administrative structure created by the Roman Catholic Church. This structure was comprised of the entire empire, with a hierarchy of officers. Everyone also had to report back to the emperor. This soon disappeared after the fall of the Roman Empire in Western Europe in the 5th century. Surprisingly, most of its practices continued in the ByzantineShow MoreRelatedA Final Reason For High Teacher Turnover Rates1250 Words à |à 5 Pagesobjectives, responsibilities, verbal communication, and felt supported by their administrator; teachers were more effective, satisfied, had a sense of community, and experiences less teacher turnover (p. 8). To establish and maintain effective collaboration, administrators play a fundamental role. Administrators hold a great deal of responsibility in the continuation and quality of collaboration at their site. When an administrator does not support cooperated relationships among staff, school traditionsRead MoreThe Environment Where Public Administration Is Being Implemented1490 Words à |à 6 PagesThe purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how challenging the environment where public administration is being implemented can be in countries that are just developing. The importance of governments and public administrators in these countries is high. They play a very important role when it comes to sustaining new development and maintain economic growth. The main roles of a government are to protect the environment, reduce socio-economic inequality, combat poverty, and support both social andRead MoreHealth Care Fraud Enforcement Arsenal1509 Words à |à 7 PagesIntroduction The issue that many healthcare administrators seem to miss these days is what is currently happening behind the scenes when their hospitalââ¬â¢s doctors are filing claims. This issue is very important to address considering your healthcare staff could be filing claims illegally to the Center for Medicaid and Medicare (CMS), and be subjected to the False Claims Act (FCA). Administrators need to make sure claims are filed correctly and not for the benefit of the doctors own pocket. HealthcareRead MoreCensorship And Its Effect On Society Essay1343 Words à |à 6 Pagesbanning ââ¬Å"questionableâ⬠content because it may offend a student s morals or beliefs, but in the real world it is something that students need to learn and understand. As time goes on censorship is damaging the younger generations by banning information that is important for them to know. Moreover, Ever since the 1990s censorship in schools has increased in the number of banned books. ââ¬Å"In the 1994-95 school year, 458 challenges of public school textbooks were issued in 49 states. Nearly fifty percentRead MoreComputers And The Classroom : A Help Or A Crush1514 Words à |à 7 PagesCalculators in the Classroom: A Help or a Crush This research topic will discuss whether students use or abuse calculators in the classroom. There are a number of reasons for discussing this topic. Mainly, the concern over students using calculators has proven to be an extremely split and controversial subject for professional educators, parents and other such special interests groups for several years. Since the first hand-held electronic calculators appeared on the market nearly 30 years agoRead MoreCaleb Roberts . Pols 602. Final Paper. Ab109 Prison Realignment:1478 Words à |à 6 Pages Caleb Roberts POLS 602 Final Paper AB109 Prison Realignment: An Examination of California s Historic Legislation INTRODUCTION In 2011, California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed Assembly Bill (AB) 109 into law. The purpose of this historic legislation, was to enable California to finally close the revolving door policy for lower-level convicted felons coming in and out of the stateââ¬â¢s 33 prisons. AB 109 was also the key piece of legislation for Californiaââ¬â¢s solution to abide by a federalRead MoreInterview With High School Age Children986 Words à |à 4 Pagesprofessional to interview because I recently completed my administrator practicum under her supervision. Throughout those six months as an intern, I got to analyze just how much of an expert she is in administration leadership. Therefore, she was the perfect individual to interview. Body Mrs. Colbertââ¬â¢s passion is with high school age children. After working in a central office position for several years, she realized that she could make the biggest impact at the schoolhouse level. ââ¬Å"Secondary age requiresRead MoreAnalysis of Managment Theories1080 Words à |à 5 Pageshospice. Even though change is difficult, there need to be steps taken to regain and reshape the trust of the public so that they will put their loved ones to the care of Seasons hospice. Additionally, lack of efficiency is costing the company. My responsibility was to maintain the smooth flow of calls by not having the customers wait for a long time to get their questions answered. The biggest problem was the high call volume and not having enough staff to answer all the calls. The primary issue wasRead MoreCloud Computing : Security Risks And Repercussions1748 Words à |à 7 Pagesinherent security risks that the organization and its stakeholders should be aware of in order to make the best-educated decision on cloud implementation. Some of the security risks can be addressed at the user level while others depend on the administrators of the cloud service, whether that be the organization operating its own cloud server or a third-party, such as Amazon, providing the services for a fee. In SaaS implementations, there is a risk of the cloud databases being infected with malwareRead MoreA Brief Note On Drug Abuse Treatment For Nonviolent Addicts967 Words à |à 4 PagesBy doing so, we would be shifting from a criminal issue to a public health issue. Instead of the large amount of taxpayersââ¬â¢ money used for incarceration, we could use such funds to support drug treatment programs, which show stronger record of success. MSNBC states that every dollar invested in drug treatment saves taxpayers more than $18 in crime-related societal costs. My one concern regarding this policy is the safety of the public. However, I find that such sentence should only be gran ted to
The Lost Duke of Wyndham Chapter One Free Essays
Grace Eversleigh had been the companion to the dowager Duchess of Wyndham for five years, and in that time she had learned several things about her employer, the most pertinent of which was this: Under her graceââ¬â¢s stern, exacting, and haughty exterior did not beat a heart of gold. Which was not to say that the offending organ was black. Her grace the dowager Duchess of Wyndham could never be called completely evil. We will write a custom essay sample on The Lost Duke of Wyndham Chapter One or any similar topic only for you Order Now Nor was she cruel, spiteful, or even entirely mean-spirited. But Augusta Elizabeth Candida Debenham Cavendish had been born the daughter of a duke, she had married a duke, and then given birth to another. Her sister was now a member of a minor royal family in some central European country whose name Grace could never quite pronounce, and her brother owned most of East Anglia. As far as the dowager was concerned, the world was a stratified place, with a hierarchy as clear as it was rigid. Wyndhams, and especially Wyndhams who used to be Debenhams, sat firmly at the top. And as such, the dowager expected certain behavior and deference to be paid. She was rarely kind, she did not tolerate stupidity, and her compliments were never falsely given. (Some might say they were never given at all, but Grace had, precisely twice, borne witness to a curt but honest ââ¬Å"well doneâ⬠ââ¬â not that anyone believed her when she mentioned it later.) But the dowager had saved Grace from an impossible situation, and for that she would always possess Graceââ¬â¢s gratitude, respect, and most of all, her loyalty. Still, there was no getting around the fact that the dowager was something less than cheerful, and so, as they rode home from the Lincolnshire Dance and Assembly, their elegant and well-sprung coach gliding effortlessly across the midnight-dark roads, Grace could not help but be relieved that her employer was fast asleep. It had been a lovely night, truly, and Grace knew she should not be so uncharitable. Upon arrival, the dowager had immediately retired to her seat of honor with her cronies, and Grace had not been required to attend to her. Instead, she had danced and laughed with all of her old friends, she had drunk three glasses of punch, she had poked fun at Thomas ââ¬â always an entertaining endeavor; he was the current duke and certainly needed a bit less obsequiousness in his life. But most of all she had smiled. She had smiled so well and so often that her cheeks hurt. The pure and unexpected joy of the evening had left her body humming with energy, and she was now perfectly happy to grin into the darkness, listening to the soft snore of the dowager as they made their way home. Grace closed her eyes, even though she did not think herself sleepy. There was something hypnotic about the motion of the carriage. She was riding backwards ââ¬â she always did ââ¬â and the rhythmic clip-clop of the horsesââ¬â¢ hooves was making her drowsy. It was strange. Her eyes were tired, even though the rest of her was not. But perhaps a nap would not be such a misplaced endeavor ââ¬â as soon as they returned to Belgrave, she would be required to aid the dowager with ââ¬â Crack! Grace sat up straight, glancing over at her employer, who, miraculously, had not awakened. What was that sound? Had someone ââ¬â Crack! This time the carriage lurched, coming to a halt so swiftly that the dowager, who was facing front as usual, was jerked off her seat. Grace immediately dropped to her knees next to her employer, her arms instinctively coming around her. ââ¬Å"What the devil?â⬠the dowager snapped, but fell silent when she caught Graceââ¬â¢s expression. ââ¬Å"Gunshots,â⬠Grace whispered. The dowagerââ¬â¢s lips pursed tightly, and then she yanked off her emerald necklace and thrust it at Grace. ââ¬Å"Hide this,â⬠she ordered. ââ¬Å"Me?â⬠Grace practically squeaked, but she shoved the jewels under a cushion all the same. And all she could think was that she would dearly like to smack a little sense into the esteemed Augusta Wyndham, because if she were killed because the dowager was too cheap to hand over her jewels ââ¬â The door was wrenched open. ââ¬Å"Stand and deliver!â⬠Grace froze, still crouched on the floor next to the dowager. Slowly, she lifted her head to the doorway, but all she could see was the silvery end of a gun, round and menacing, and pointed at her forehead. ââ¬Å"Ladies,â⬠came the voice again, and this time it was a bit different, almost polite. The speaker then stepped forward out of the shadows, and with a graceful motion swept his arm in an arc to usher them out. ââ¬Å"The pleasure of your company, if you will,â⬠he murmured. Grace felt her eyes dart back and forth ââ¬â an exercise in futility, to be sure, as there was clearly no avenue of escape. She turned to the dowager, expecting to find her spitting with fury, but instead she had gone white. It was then that Grace realized she was shaking. The dowager was shaking. Both of them were. The highwayman leaned in, one shoulder resting against the door frame. He smiled then ââ¬â slow and lazy, and with the charm of a rogue. How Grace could see all of that when half of his face was covered with his mask, she did not know, but three things about him were abundantly clear: He was young. He was strong. And he was dangerously lethal. ââ¬Å"Maââ¬â¢am,â⬠Grace said, giving the dowager a nudge. ââ¬Å"I think we should do as he says.â⬠ââ¬Å"I do love a sensible woman,â⬠he said, and smiled again. Just a quirk this time ââ¬â one devastating little lift at the corner of his mouth. But his gun remained high, and his charm did little to assuage Graceââ¬â¢s fear. And then he extended his other arm. He extended his arm. As if they were embarking at a house party. As if he were a country gentleman, about to inquire about the weather. ââ¬Å"May I be of assistance?â⬠he murmured. Grace shook her head frantically. She could not touch him. She did not know why, precisely, but she knew in her bones that it would be utter disaster to put her hand in his. ââ¬Å"Very well,â⬠he said with a small sigh. ââ¬Å"Ladies today are so very capable. It breaks my heart, really.â⬠He leaned in, almost as if sharing a secret. ââ¬Å"No one likes to feel superfluous.â⬠Grace just stared at him. ââ¬Å"Rendered mute by my grace and charm,â⬠he said, stepping back to allow them to exit. ââ¬Å"It happens all the time. Really, I shouldnââ¬â¢t be allowed near the ladies. I have such a vexing effect on you.â⬠He was mad. That was the only explanation. Grace didnââ¬â¢t care how pretty his manners were, he had to be mad. And he had a gun. ââ¬Å"Although,â⬠he mused, his weapon rock steady even as his words seemed to meander through the air, ââ¬Å"some would surely say that a mute woman is the least vexing of all.â⬠Thomas would, Grace thought. The Duke of Wyndham ââ¬â who had years ago insisted that she use his given name at Belgrave after a farcical chorus of your grace, Miss Grace, your grace ââ¬â had no patience for chitchat of any sort. ââ¬Å"Maââ¬â¢am,â⬠she whispered urgently, tugging on the dowagerââ¬â¢s arm. The dowager did not say a word, nor did she nod, but she took Graceââ¬â¢s hand and allowed herself to be helped down from the carriage. ââ¬Å"Ah, now that is much better,â⬠the highwayman said, grinning widely now. ââ¬Å"What good fortune is mine to have stumbled upon two ladies so divine. Here I thought Iââ¬â¢d be greeted by a crusty old gentleman.â⬠Grace stepped to the side, keeping her eyes trained on his face. He did not look like a criminal, or rather, her idea of a criminal. His accent screamed education and breeding, and if he was not recently washed, well, she could not smell it. ââ¬Å"Or perhaps one of those dreadful young toads, stuffed into a waistcoat two sizes too small,â⬠he mused, rubbing his free hand thoughtfully against his chin. ââ¬Å"You know the sort, donââ¬â¢t you?â⬠he asked Grace. ââ¬Å"Red face, drinks too much, thinks too little.â⬠And to her great surprise, Grace found herself nodding. ââ¬Å"I thought you would,â⬠he replied. ââ¬Å"Theyââ¬â¢re rather thick on the ground, sadly.â⬠Grace blinked and just stood there, watching his mouth. It was the only bit of him she could watch, with his mask covering the upper portion of his face. But his lips were so full of movement, so perfectly formed and expressive, that she almost felt she could see him. It was odd. And mesmerizing. And more than a little unsettling. ââ¬Å"Ah, well,â⬠he said, with the same deceptive sigh of ennui Grace had seen Thomas utilize when he wished to change the subject. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m sure you ladies realize that this isnââ¬â¢t a social call.â⬠His eyes flicked toward Grace, and he let loose a devilish smile. ââ¬Å"Not entirely.â⬠Graceââ¬â¢s lips parted. His eyes ââ¬â what she could see of them through the mask ââ¬â grew heavy-lidded and seductive. ââ¬Å"I do enjoy mixing business and pleasure,â⬠he murmured. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s not often an option, what with all those portly young gentlemen traveling the roads.â⬠She knew she should gasp, or even spit forth a protest, but the highwaymanââ¬â¢s voice was so smooth, like the fine brandy she was occasionally offered at Belgrave. There was a very slight lilt to it, too, attesting to a childhood spent far from Lincolnshire, and Grace felt herself sway, as if she could fall forward, lightly, softly, and land somewhere else. Far, far from here. Quick as a flash his hand was at her elbow, steadying her. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re not going to swoon, are you?â⬠he asked, his fingers offering just the right amount of pressure to keep her on her feet. Without letting her go. Grace shook her head. ââ¬Å"No,â⬠she said softly. ââ¬Å"You have my heartfelt thanks for that,â⬠he replied. ââ¬Å"It would be lovely to catch you, but Iââ¬â¢d have to drop my gun, and we couldnââ¬â¢t have that, could we?â⬠He turned to the dowager with a chuckle. ââ¬Å"And donââ¬â¢t you go thinking about it. I would be more than happy to catch you as well, but I donââ¬â¢t believe either of you would wish to leave my associates in charge of the firearms.â⬠It was only then that Grace realized there were three other men. Of course there had to be ââ¬â he could not have orchestrated this by himself. But the rest of them had been so silent, choosing to remain in the shadows. And she had not been able to take her eyes off their leader. ââ¬Å"Has our driver been harmed?â⬠Grace asked, mortified that she was only now thinking of his welfare. Neither he nor the footman who had served as an outrider were anywhere in sight. ââ¬Å"Nothing that a spot of love and tenderness wonââ¬â¢t cure,â⬠the highwayman assured her. ââ¬Å"Is he married?â⬠What was he talking about? ââ¬Å"I ââ¬â I donââ¬â¢t think so,â⬠Grace replied. ââ¬Å"Send him to the public house, then. There is a rather buxom maid there who ââ¬â Ah, but what am I thinking? I am among ladies.â⬠He chuckled. ââ¬Å"Warm broth, then, and perhaps a cold compress. And then after that, a day off to find that spot of love and tenderness. The other fellow, by the wayâ⬠ââ¬â he flicked his head toward a nearby cluster of trees ââ¬â ââ¬Å"is over there. Perfectly unharmed, I assure you, although he might find his bindings tighter than he prefers.â⬠Grace flushed, and she turned to the dowager, amazed that she wasnââ¬â¢t giving the highwayman a dressing down for such lewd talk. But the dowager was still as pale as sheets, and she was staring at the thief as if sheââ¬â¢d seen a ghost. ââ¬Å"Maââ¬â¢am?â⬠Grace said, instantly taking her hand. It was cold and clammy. And limp. Utterly limp. ââ¬Å"Maââ¬â¢am?â⬠ââ¬Å"What is your name?â⬠the dowager whispered. ââ¬Å"My name?â⬠Grace repeated in horror. Had she suffered an apoplexy? Lost her memory? ââ¬Å"Your name,â⬠the dowager said with greater force, and it was clear this time that she was addressing the highwayman. But he only laughed. ââ¬Å"I am delighted by the attentions of so lovely a lady, but surely you do not think I would reveal my name during what is almost certainly a hanging offense.â⬠ââ¬Å"I need your name,â⬠the dowager said. ââ¬Å"And Iââ¬â¢m afraid that I need your valuables,â⬠he replied. He motioned to the dowagerââ¬â¢s hand with a respectful tilt of his head. ââ¬Å"That ring, if you will.â⬠ââ¬Å"Please,â⬠the dowager whispered, and Graceââ¬â¢s head snapped around to face her. The dowager rarely said thank you, and she never said please. ââ¬Å"She needs to sit down,â⬠Grace said to the highwayman, because surely the dowager was ill. Her health was excellent, but she was well past seventy and sheââ¬â¢d had a shock. ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t need to sit down,â⬠the dowager said sharply, shaking Grace off. She turned back to the highwayman, yanked off her ring, and held it out. He plucked it from her hand, rolling it about in his fingers before depositing it in his pocket. Grace held silent, watching the exchange, waiting for him to ask for more. But to her surprise, the dowager spoke first. ââ¬Å"I have another reticule in the carriage,â⬠she said ââ¬â slowly, and with a strange and wholly uncharacteristic deference. ââ¬Å"Please allow me to retrieve it.â⬠ââ¬Å"As much as I would like to indulge you,â⬠he said smoothly, ââ¬Å"I must decline. For all I know, youââ¬â¢ve two pistols hidden under the seat.â⬠Grace swallowed, thinking of the jewels. ââ¬Å"And,â⬠he added, his manner growing almost flirtatious, ââ¬Å"I can tell you are that most maddening sort of female.â⬠He sighed with dramatic flair. ââ¬Å"Capable. Oh, admit it.â⬠He gave the dowager a subversive little smile. ââ¬Å"You are an expert rider, a crack shot, and you can recite the complete works of Shakespeare backwards.â⬠If anything, the dowager grew even more pale at his words. ââ¬Å"Ah, to be twenty years older,â⬠he said with a sigh. ââ¬Å"I should not have let you slip away.â⬠ââ¬Å"Please,â⬠the dowager begged. ââ¬Å"There is something I must give to you.â⬠ââ¬Å"Now thatââ¬â¢s a welcome change of pace,â⬠he remarked. ââ¬Å"People so seldom wish to hand things over. It does make one feel unloved.â⬠Grace reached for the dowager. ââ¬Å"Please let me help you,â⬠she insisted. The dowager was not well. She could not be well. She was never humble, and did not beg, and ââ¬â ââ¬Å"Take her!â⬠the dowager suddenly cried out, grabbing Graceââ¬â¢s arm and thrusting her at the highwayman. ââ¬Å"You may hold her hostage, with a gun to the head if you desire. I promise you, I shall return, and I shall do it unarmed.â⬠Grace swayed and stumbled, the shock of the moment rendering her almost insensible. She fell against the highwayman, and one of his arms came instantly around her. The embrace was strange, almost protective, and she knew that he was as stunned as she. They both watched as the dowager, without waiting for his acquiescence, climbed quickly into the carriage. Grace fought to breathe. Her back was pressed up against him, and his large hand rested against her abdomen, the tips of his fingers curling gently around her right hip. He was warm, and she felt hot, and dear heaven above, she had never ââ¬â never ââ¬â stood so close to a man. She could smell him, feel his breath, warm and soft against her neck. And then he did the most amazing thing. His lips came to her ear, and he whispered, ââ¬Å"She should not have done that.â⬠He soundedâ⬠¦ gentle. Almost sympathetic. And stern, as if he did not approve of the dowagerââ¬â¢s treatment of her. ââ¬Å"I am not used to holding a woman such,â⬠he murmured in her ear. ââ¬Å"I generally prefer a different sort of intimacy, donââ¬â¢t you?â⬠She said nothing, afraid to speak, afraid that she would try to speak and discover she had no voice. ââ¬Å"I wonââ¬â¢t harm you,â⬠he murmured, his lips touching her ear. Her eyes fell on his gun, still in his right hand. It looked angry and dangerous, and it was resting against her thigh. ââ¬Å"We all have our armor,â⬠he whispered, and he moved, shifted, really, and suddenly his free hand was at her chin. One finger lightly traced her lips, and then he leaned down and kissed her. Grace stared in shock as he pulled back, smiling gently down at her. ââ¬Å"That was far too short,â⬠he said. ââ¬Å"Pity.â⬠He stepped back, took her hand, and brushed another kiss on her knuckles. ââ¬Å"Another time, perhaps,â⬠he murmured. But he did not let go of her hand. Even as the dowager emerged from the carriage, he kept her fingers in his, his thumb rubbing lightly across her skin. She was being seduced. She could barely think ââ¬â she could barely breathe ââ¬â but this, she knew. In a few minutes they would part ways, and he would have done nothing more than kiss her, and she would be forever changed. The dowager stepped in front of them, and if she cared that the highwayman was caressing her companion, she did not speak of it. Instead, she held forth a small object. ââ¬Å"Please,â⬠she implored him. ââ¬Å"Take this.â⬠He released Graceââ¬â¢s hand, his fingers trailing reluctantly across her skin. As he reached out, Grace realized that the dowager was holding a miniature painting. It was of her long-dead second son. Grace knew that miniature. The dowager carried it with her everywhere. ââ¬Å"Do you know this man?â⬠the dowager whispered. The highwayman looked at the tiny painting and shook his head. ââ¬Å"Look closer.â⬠But he just shook his head again, trying to return it to the dowager. ââ¬Å"Might be worth something,â⬠one of his companions said. He shook his head and gazed intently at the dowagerââ¬â¢s face. ââ¬Å"It will never be as valuable to me as it is to you.â⬠ââ¬Å"No!â⬠the dowager cried out, and she shoved the miniature toward him. ââ¬Å"Look! I beg of you, look! His eyes. His chin. His mouth. They are yours.â⬠Grace sucked in her breath. ââ¬Å"I am sorry,â⬠the highwayman said gently. ââ¬Å"You are mistaken.â⬠But she would not be dissuaded. ââ¬Å"His voice is your voice,â⬠she insisted. ââ¬Å"Your tone, your humor. I know it. I know it as I know how to breathe. He was my son. My son.â⬠ââ¬Å"Maââ¬â¢am,â⬠Grace interceded, placing a motherly arm around her. The dowager would not normally have allowed such an intimacy, but there was nothing normal about the dowager this evening. ââ¬Å"Maââ¬â¢am, it is dark. He is wearing a mask. It cannot be he.â⬠ââ¬Å"Of course itââ¬â¢s not he,â⬠she snapped, pushing Grace violently away. She rushed forward, and Grace nearly fell with terror as every man steadied his weapon. ââ¬Å"Donââ¬â¢t hurt her!â⬠she cried out, but her plea was unnecessary. The dowager had already grabbed the highwaymanââ¬â¢s free hand and was clutching it as if he was her only means of salvation. ââ¬Å"This is my son,â⬠she said, her trembling fingers holding forth the miniature. ââ¬Å"His name was John Cavendish, and he died twenty-nine years ago. He had brown hair, and blue eyes, and a birthmark on his shoulder.â⬠She swallowed convulsively, and her voice fell to a whisper. ââ¬Å"He adored music, and he could not eat strawberries. And he couldâ⬠¦he couldâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ The dowagerââ¬â¢s voice broke, but no one spoke. The air was thick and tense with silence, every eye on the old woman until she finally got out, her voice barely a whisper, ââ¬Å"He could make anyone laugh.â⬠And then, in an acknowledgment Grace could never have imagined, the dowager turned to her and added, ââ¬Å"Even me.â⬠The moment stood suspended in time, pure, silent, and heavy. No one spoke. Grace wasnââ¬â¢t even sure if anyone breathed. She looked at the highwayman, at his mouth, at that expressive, devilish mouth, and she knew that something was not right. His lips were parted, and more than that, they were still. For the first time, his mouth was without movement, and even in the silvery light of the moon she could tell that heââ¬â¢d gone white. ââ¬Å"If this means anything to you,â⬠the dowager continued with quiet determination, ââ¬Å"you may find me at Belgrave Castle awaiting your call.â⬠And then, as stooped and shaking as Grace had ever seen her, she turned, still clutching the miniature, and climbed back into the carriage. Grace held still, unsure of what to do. She no longer felt in danger ââ¬â strange as that seemed, with three guns still trained on her and one ââ¬â the highwaymanââ¬â¢s, her highwaymanââ¬â¢s ââ¬â resting limply at his side. But they had turned over only one ring ââ¬â surely not a productive haul for an experienced band of thieves, and she did not feel she could get back into the carriage without permission. She cleared her throat. ââ¬Å"Sir?â⬠she said, unsure of how to address him. ââ¬Å"My name is not Cavendish,â⬠he said softly, his voice reaching her ears alone. ââ¬Å"But it once was.â⬠Grace gasped. And then, with movements sharp and swift, he leaped atop his horse and barked, ââ¬Å"We are done here.â⬠And Grace was left to stare at his back as he rode away. How to cite The Lost Duke of Wyndham Chapter One, Essay examples
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)