The Pirate's Desire by Jennette Green Read Free Book Online Page A

tables, and an armoire on the left wall, just beside the door. Instead of being decorated in yellows and creams, however, this room was more masculine, with a palette of dark blue and heavy, mahogany furniture.
    Carefully, she edged into the room and cast a quick glance around the side of the armoire. As if he would be hiding back there, she chastised herself. Instead, she spotted his worn canvas sea bag. Was that the only piece of luggage he owned, or would more be arriving?
    She then realized another disconcerting fact about her unwelcome guest. He had no valet. All nobles retained a valet. Was he a noble at all? Or was that merely a fabrication?
    The certainty that she should not trust him intensified. Lucinda felt more determined than ever that she must succeed in her mission right now.
    The letter. Where was it? She must find it, and quickly, for he could return at any moment.
    Lucinda swiftly checked his sea bag, and felt embarrassed when her fingers ran over every article of his clothing. Thankfully, no one was about to witness her disgraceful actions.
    Nothing there. Feeling a little warm, she regained her feet and scanned the room. Where might he have put the letter? Provided it wasn’t tucked in his jacket this very moment. Please, God, no.
    Of course, perhaps the Almighty wasn’t listening to her. He couldn’t be too pleased with her behavior. And what of her father? What would he think?
    Lucinda tried to ignore these prickles to her conscience as she circled the room, searching in the drawers of a small desk, atop the bedside tables, and on the fireplace mantle above the smoldering fire; everywhere, even the top of the armoire. Finally, she put her hands on her hips and surveyed the room. Either he carried the letter with him now, or he’d hidden it. Either way meant he distrusted her.
    She frowned. Riel Montclair would not win. He would not gain control over herself or Ravensbrook. If he had hidden the letter, she would surely find it!
    She knelt beside the bed, checked under it, and then gripped the mattress with two hands and pushed upward . It was heavy, and barely budged .
    She put her shoulder to the mattress and shoved upward again. Good. It rose a few inches. Speedily, her fingers slipped under the drooping bed coverings and searched for the letter.
    Nothing. She moved down the bed, and heaved it up again. When she reached the far side of the bed, perspiration dampened her skin and her carefully coiffed hair straggled in tendrils against her cheeks. Effie would wonder what she’d been about. No matter. This was the last place to check. Surely he didn’t have the letter on his person.
    With all of her strength, Lucinda shoved up on the mattress. Pain skewered like a knife down her back. Her muscles were unused to such exertions. Her fingers fluttered, searching…searching… They brushed paper.
    Spirit soaring with elation, she snatched out the folded parchment. Sure enough, Father’s flowing script read, “Mr. Chase.”
    She’d found it. Lucinda sat back on her heels in triumph.
    A red wax seal secured it, as Riel had said. Now that she’d found it, should she read it? Or quickly destroy it? A longing to read her father’s words warred with her need for haste. Perhaps if she hid the letter in her bodice, she could carry it to her room and read it there.
    A small click sounded at the door. Lucinda’s pulse exploded in fright, and she whipped a glance over her shoulder. Riel! Sure enough, the door knob turned.
    With horrified, shaking fingers she shoved the letter into her bodice, trying to work it down so he couldn’t see…
    “Lucy.” Displeasure thundered in the deep voice.
    She sprang to her feet, still turned away from him, struggling to fix her bodice.
    A hard hand jerked her around to face him. “Why are you in my room?”
    “I…I came to see that all is to your satisfaction…”
    Alarmingly, his dark, pirate eyes fell to her bodice, still askew. Worse, a small corner of the