True Treasure: Real - Life History Mystery by Lisa Grace Read Free Book Online Page A

and the port. I have a feeling they were testing us. So for now we will continue on our route. There is a chance the boats in pursuit assume we are heading back out to sea and will not follow us. If they talked to others in port then they may know we are heading up the coast so we need the head start. At this time, you will finish your paintings for King George, and then we will return you home.”
    “Thank you, captain.” Mary cocked her head, “You will be glad. I will make you proud. I promise.”
    He bowed and smiled at her, absorbing every nuance of her hair and her smile. She was intoxicating. Having her around was dangerous. When he had seen the pirate aiming at her, his heart had stopped. He forgot all about his command and swung over to get her out of harm’s way. All thought for the safety of the men in his charge had left his mind. What was he doing? She hadn't flinched in the face of danger, if anything, she'd seemed invigorated by it. After the pirates had been taken care of, one of the men had brought him her book. The sailor had a smirk on his face.
    “Sir, the young lady's sketches.”
    He flipped to the first. A bustling port scene, and his ship drawn in great detail. She must have sketched it before boarding. She even drew in the scrape where the anchor had bumped the side in rough seas. Her eye for detail brought the picture alive. She was good. He flipped the page. Now he knew the reason for the sailor's smirk.
    She had drawn him while he was commanding the sailors to fire upon the pirates. If this was the way she saw him ...she had put a glint and power in his eyes, he looked fiery and magnetic, even to himself. Now that he knew how she saw him... he was sunk.
    She was in more danger than she knew. How could he control his urge to sweep her into his arms and head for the shores of pleasure? He would control himself and avoid her in person, even if he couldn't abandon her in his thoughts.
    As he left her room and closed the door, he thought back on her parting words, I will make you proud.
    He thought, standing the way she did in the face of danger to draw his visage and those of the pirates, “You already have.”
    That afternoon, he sent an invitation for Magdela and Ms. Welch to join him at the officers’ dining table for dinner. When he entered the room he found they had not arrived. He asked the sailor standing at muster, “Please escort Ms. Welch and her chaperone to the dinner table.”
    Ms. Welch entered the room only followed by the sailor. The officers stood, and the Captain moved to pull out Ms. Welch's chair. “I am sorry, but Ms. Magdela is under the weather and cannot make it to dinner.”
    Captain Graham said, “I am sorry, the sea does not affect all as a comfort. May I introduce my officers, ‘Mr. Randall Cullen my first officer whom you have met, Lt. Kerry, Lt. Sedgwig, Lt. Taussant, and Lt. Gregory.’”
    The officers seated themselves after the captain took his place. Randall, the first officer, led them in prayer. The dinner courses were served by one of the wait staff.
    Mary inclined her head not sure of what to say. She had never dined without another female companion in a room of men, ever.
    The officers ate in silence, not being accustomed to a young lady without her chaperone.
    After the meal, the captain stood, “Gentlemen, I will see Ms. Welch to her room. Good evening.” They all murmured good evening back and stood as the captain and the lady did.
    When they were out of the room, Mary turned toward the captain, “Could we please go out on deck for some fresh air? I'd like to see the coast in the starlight.”
    The captain motioned toward the stairs leading up to the deck.
    “Thank you,” Mary said.
    They walked along the upper promenade deck reserved only for the officers who at this time were all below deck. The first night watch was out. The officers would sleep while they could, as they may be called to muster at anytime for any emergency or occurrence out