Hart's Passion (Pirates & Petticoats Book 2) by Chloe Flowers Read Free Book Online

Aunt Sarah’s garden at Twin Pines.

    “Come away with me, Keelan,” he had whispered. “Leave behind your secrets and schemes, and let me show you what it is like to be loved and worshipped for the goddess you are. Let me take you aboard the Desire and show you the world.”  
    “I’ll meet you as soon as I can,” she’d promised. “I will slip away to Charleston within a fortnight for certain.”

    Landon had told her the Seeker had to deliver cargo to Harbour Town and then meet the third ship in their fleet. By the time the two returned to Charleston, the repairs to the Desire would be complete. He’d hoist a blue flag with a white square in the middle when they were ready to depart. All three ships would then sail north to Philadelphia. He’d told her this. Promised to await her aboard the Desire . Why did he leave her behind? How could he possibly leave without allowing her to explain?
    She fingered the handle of her reticule. Had she let Landon stir her passion so strongly with his kisses that she’d forgotten he fit the description of the type of man her mother had always warned her about?  
    Had she been nothing more than a diversion for him?  
    The bitterness in her mother’s tone remained vivid in her mind:
    “There’s no settling down for a man of the sea. She’s his mistress and forever calls him away from the arms of those on the land. A sailor will eventually leave you alone and lonely. Mark my words girl.”
    Jared’s face smoothed and his eyes flooded with pity. “Come child, I’ll have Ruth make you some tea.”
    A small voice in the back of her mind needled her, “Had he not told you marriage didn’t suit him? Hadn’t you been afraid something like this would happen? That he might use you as nothing more than a dalliance while at port? That he’d never trust another woman to be faithful?”
    Numbly she followed Jared into the house. There would be no happy life for her sailing the seas with Landon. No exotic places to visit. It was as if a curtain had been pulled and shut out the vision of the outside world. Nothing, except four plain, lonely walls.
    How could they live a happy life together if he couldn’t trust her love for him?
    Do not cry. Do not cry.  
    Jared’s voice was soft and compassionate. “Keelan, my dear, you’ve had a heartbreaking week with the death of your father. I’m sorry your plans can’t be put into action. I gave him my word.” He glanced at her as they walked. “I’m well aware he raised you in an unconventional manner, dear girl. Therefore, I will not give you an opportunity to run away.” Jared swallowed and continued, “And, as added security, you will remain locked in your chamber until the wedding.”  
    “Uncle Jared,” Keelan’s voice was a dusty whisper. “Must you take such drastic measures? After all, I was raised as your brother’s daughter, I don’t think he would want—”
    “Stop.” He was already shaking his head. “I will hear no more. I’ve already penned a missive to the family barrister in London to auction off all holdings owned by my two deceased brothers.” He sliced his hand through the air. “There will be no journey to England. My family and I prefer life in America and I do not wish to endanger anyone by allowing them back into that assassin’s lair, or subject them to such a dangerous journey in these uncertain times.”
    Her uncle opened the door to the house and nodded at Simon, who dutifully held the door.  
    “Miss Keelan is not to leave her chamber for any reason. Do you understand?”
    “Yessuh.”  
    “You are to lock the door and keep it locked except for the normal care and cleaning of her room and delivery of meals.”
    “Yessuh.” Simon’s voice sounded very small.
    When they reached her room, she tried to beg her uncle once more to reconsider, but he quickly shut the door. The key clicked in the lock.
    She took a seat near the balcony doors and stared out the window. His footsteps grew