A Brother's Honor by Jo Ann Ferguson Read Free Book Online

way you avenge yourself against your enemies.”
    â€œDo you think that is why I want you?” His eyes became ebony nuggets, hard and faceted. He captured her lips, all tenderness gone, as his tongue delved to caress hers.
    She moaned against his mouth. She did not want to be swallowed by this incredible delight. She must not melt into the pool of heated fire surging through her. Clenching her hands at her sides, she fought her own body that urged her to surrender. It was impossible to deny the truth. She wanted this ecstasy.
    A man shouted on deck. Fists pounded on her door.
    â€œWait here,” Dominic murmured against her ear. When she quivered as his breath became a sweet caress, his hushed laugh warmed her skin.
    Abigail pulled her wrapper around her again as Dominic opened the door. Her eyes met the shock in Normand’s, and she looked hastily away. Now everyone aboard the Republic would know without question that she had been in Dominic’s arms. If Father learned the truth, he would despise her for shaming him with his enemy. How could she have been so foolish? Dominic may not have been drunk, but she had been intoxicated with his touch.
    She looked up when she heard Dominic curse. She could not understand what he said in French, but there was no mistaking his fury. Normand raced across the saloon and out onto the deck.
    â€œWhat is wrong?” she cried.
    Dominic did not answer as he stormed out of her quarters. She ran after him and saw him go into her father’s room. She froze in the door as he threw open a drawer in her father’s desk and pulled out a pistol. He grasped her arm and shoved her back into her room.
    â€œAre we under attack?” she cried.
    â€œStay here! Once we halt the Americans’ mutiny, I shall deal with you.”
    â€œMutiny?”
    He slammed the door. The bolt snapped into place.
    Abigail gripped the chair. Mutiny! The ugly word riveted her to the deck.
    She moaned as a gun fired. In quick succession, many others answered. Her father’s crew must have stolen weapons from the hold while Dominic’s men worked to repair the rudder. Now she understood why Cookie had avoided answering her questions.
    She cringed when something brushed her leg. Realizing it was her cat, she closed her eyes and shuddered. “Dandy, you are scaring years off my life.”
    The cat jumped up on the bed, preening. He adjusted the covers to his satisfaction and put his nose against his paws before falling asleep.
    Abigail wondered how Dandy could be so oblivious to the noise from the deck. A man shrieked. Just as one had when La Chanson had captured this ship. Sweet heavens, someone had to halt this before more people were killed.
    She struck the door with her fists, but it did not give. Her shout got no answer. If anyone was in the saloon, they were too busy with the fighting.
    The ship halted to rock with the motion of the waves. Were they out of their minds? The ship must get somewhere where they could obtain more water, or they all would die.
    Although the room was stifling, she shivered, wrapping her arms around herself. Father’s crew would die whether by thirst or the hangman’s noose. They had nothing to lose, so they were willing to risk their lives now to see that Dominic and his crew died with them. The fighting could last for days before the losers surrendered or were killed to the final man. Only the moon inching across the sky told her that time still moved as guns fired again and again.
    Who was winning? She shivered. If her father’s men defeated the Frenchmen, they would kill her as a traitor who had warmed their enemy’s bed. If Dominic’s men won, he would see her father hanged.
    She heard furtive footsteps in the saloon. She flattened herself against the wall by the door. If she could rush past when the door opened, she might be able to escape. But to where? She silenced that fearful thought as the latch lifted.
    Abigail jumped