Siren's Secret by Trish Albright Read Free Book Online Page B

knows nothing about my business.”
    Al nodded, as if her words were proof, and waved a hand at her. “Like I said. Trouble.” He took himself and his mug away to help new arrivals, leaving Olivia with Mr. Stafford.
    Olivia turned back to the bar and, frustrated that her ale was gone, reached over to finish Mr. Stafford’s. “I should be able to have a drink in a bar, no matter how I’m dressed.”
    “You’d think.”
    “Don’t you think so?” she insisted.
    Mr. Stafford nodded. “Actually, I do. But that’s not the world we live in.”
    Olivia turned in surprise, unable to keep the hopefulness from her voice. “Really?”
    Those sensual lips responded like a dream. “Yeah. Really. You should see half of what my sister puts up with. I don’t wish it on my daughters.”
    “You have daughters?”
    “No, but I hope to. Someday. And I’d like things to be a bit easier for them.”
    Olivia felt her insides soften. He not only understood, but he wanted a girl. More than one, even. “I would have thought you only wanted sons to take over the business. Girls can’t inherit or anything, and then you have dowries to provide, so economically they are less desirable …”
    His smile faded. “Is that how you see yourself? Economically less desirable?”
    “No, of course not.” She denied it, but couldn’t argue otherwise. At least not logically. Suddenly Olivia felt very world-weary. Her father valued her, she reminded herself.
    “In America, anyone can inherit, but you’re changing the subject. Why would someone want to kill you?”
    “Oh. That. Well.” She sighed. “Sometimes I talk to myself.”
    He patted her back. “Not a lot of friends?”
    “You can’t help yourself, can you Stafford?”
    “With you? I’m afraid not.”
    She ignored his lips twitching in humor and continued. “I was observing some hieroglyphics. That’s the ancient Egyptian—”
    “I think we covered that.”
    “Oh. Yes. Well, um. I happened to be in Grayson’s office and saw that Grayson had tried to translate them. He was, quite frankly, entirely wrong, and so I was saying that out loud, and moments later, I’m being choked. Very uncomfortably, I might add.”
    Mr. Stafford’s face looked thunderous. Olivia leaned back defensively. “I’m now responsible for my maid’s death, and—and you know the rest …” Her voice petered off, uncertain how to interpret his response. “It’s all too unbearable. The only thing I can do is find a way to get to Egypt. My father will know what to do next. I know your ship is quite big, so—”
    “The answer is still no.”
    “Why? That’s very unreasonable.”
    “Because you’re female.” At her gasp of confused outrage, he added, “I have a crew of forty-two. All men. I don’t need the headache. Who is with you at the hotel, besides Mrs. Tisdale? How many guards do you have keeping watch? Are they trustworthy?”
    Olivia swallowed. She hadn’t thought to bring protection. And it was not as if there were anyone who could do it anyway. The household staff was relatively small.
    “I thought it best to not tell anyone where we were off to. But today, after the murder of my maid, I sent my butler with a message for the authorities. Sturges is very trustworthy.” Feeling better, she argued, “We can stay in our cabins.”
    “Where did you meet Sturges?”
    “At our hotel, of course. I didn’t want to go home and risk being recognized—”
    “No.” He shook his head thoughtfully, as if she’d said something wrong. It made her nervous. “How do you know he wasn’t followed? If someone is willing to break into your home to keep you silent, do you think they will give up that easily? They might have been watching your home waiting to see what would happen. Someone could have followed Sturges right to you. Be waiting for you right now.”
    Olivia’s stomach felt hollow and nauseous. “Mrs. Tisdale. She’s all alone.” She tumbled from her seat, rushing blindly for