Capture The Night by Geralyn Dawson Read Free Book Online Page A

sheets. “While you were laid up, I spent some time getting to know some of our shipmates. For the most part they’re real nice people, and I especially like your friends the Brunets. It sounds like André knows is way around a cornfield, and that’ll serve him handy in Texas. Worries me to think what the rest of them will do.”
    Madeline frowned. “What do you mean?”
    “Darlin’, I don’t know what you’ve been told about the frontier but there’s simply no demand for an orchestra conductor or a jeweler’s apprentice, or, for that matter a banker. We only have one chartered bank in Texas, and it’s had its business tied up in the courts for years.” He crossed his arms and mused, “Yep, people in Texas don’t care much for bankers.”
    Madeline had her own opinion concerning bankers, aware that Julian Desseau counted at least two banks among his vast enterprises. But Brazos’s criticisms struck a defensive chord in her, and she challenged him. “Just what is it that you are trying to say, Monsieur Sinclair?”
    His expression was serious and sincere as he replied, “La Réunion won’t succeed. The reasoning is faulty.”
    “Oh, really?” Madeline smiled a falsely sweet smile. “And I suppose it is the years you have spent at philosophical study and debate that have guided you toward this conclusion?”
    “Hell, no. It’s plain ol’ common sense. Something that appears to be in short supply with you Fourierists.”
    He is one to talk, the thickheaded lout . Madeline eyed the way his hip rested against the ship’s rail. An unexpected shove would send him overboard. Her fingers itched to hit him, but she soothed them by stealing five bullets from the gunbelt ever present around his hips. Calmed somewhat, she said, “You are quite vociferous with your opinions, sir. However, I’ve yet to hear any specifics. Pray, tell me just why you think La Réunion is doomed to failure.”
    “All right.” Brazos rubbed his cheek with his palm. “Hmm, where do I start?” He flashed her an arrogant grin and added, “It’s hard to pick from so many stupid ideas.”
    Poison , Madeline thought. Yes, death by poison had a certain allure. Who aboard the Uriel would have poison she could appropriate ?
    “I reckon I could pick on Considérant’s agricultural plan, but in all honesty, I can see some benefits in his ideas about cooperative farming. I think he needs some more farmers in this group to make it work, but at least there’s a slight chance for success.”
    He shrugged his shoulders. “Let’s see…I’ve plenty to say about the Fourierists’ beliefs concerning the destruction of Civilization by the release of man’s thirteen passions, but I’m afraid I find the subject matter to embarrassing to discuss.” He tilted his chin and looked at her, asking, “I wouldn’t mind an invitation to the event, though. Just as an interested observer, a student of philosophy, if you will.”
    She recognized that Brazos was referring to Fourier’s ideas concerning sexual freedom and the Court of Love. While she didn’t for one moment believe he’d be embarrassed to discuss the philosophies of The New Amorous World or The Laws of Passionate Attraction , she was grateful he apparently intended to avoid the subject. Monsieur Bourgin is a veterinarian, she remembered. Perhaps he could provide an appropriate toxin. Something that makes the tongue swell…
    “So, what do you think, Maddie? Will you invite me to this passion release?”
    “Not in this lifetime, Monsieur Sinclair” she said dryly.
    He flashed her a boyish grin. Suddenly, Madeline found herself wanting to grin right back. In a strange sort of way, his outrageousness could be appealing. For the first time, she looked at him in a new, different light. Perhaps Brazos Sinclair wasn’t as bad as she had imagined. He was a handsome rogue; there was no denying that.
    Then he opened his mouth once more. “Back to your question about why I believe La