Unexpected Treasure: A High Seas Adventure by Tammy Andresen Read Free Book Online Page B

Can’t be certain but the ships are always coming down the channel. We wait days before we attack to keep people from connecting the dots―“
    “Like you did with the Anna Marie.”
    “That’s right, but ‘e’ll know somethings wrong when we don’t make the next delivery.”
    Rex cocked his head to one side but said nothing. His hand came to her back. “That’ll be all for now.”
    “Wait, you didn’t tell me if I’ll―“
    “This conversation is not over.” Rex turned and started escorting her down the hall. She turned to look back and the One Eye was following her with his one good eye.
    “I don’t like him.”
    “You shouldn’t. A man like him is never to be trusted. But he did give me an idea.”
    “What,” she asked, turning towards him.
    “If I could catch your uncle red-handed, then I could rid you of him for good.” His hand squeezed her waist.
    “How would you do that?” Her hand came to his chest her heart beating wildly in her chest. It was too good to hope.
    “Well, I could repair the pirate’s main mast and sail the boat to meet your uncle.”
    Sarah let her hand drop from him chest. A niggle of doubt worked its way into her mind. He would be delivering her straight to her uncle.
    “I…I… should check on the baby,” she mumbled. She needed some space from him to clear her head. Was she allowing her obvious feeling towards him to cloud her judgement?
    “Sarah,” his voice held a question she didn’t want to answer.
    “You don’t have to go with me. I could leave you safely on this boat.”
    Some of the tension eased but she still felt uncertain. “I will give it some thought. I don’t know what I―“
    “We’ll get married.”
    “What?” She stopped walking and turned toward him.
    “I’ll marry you here, on the boat. We already have the Prince Regent’s blessing. Would it make you feel more secure to know that, as my wife, I would have your best interests at heart?”
    Sarah simply shook her head. Could this be a trick? She wanted to believe him but experience had taught her to be wary. “Can you just get married on a boat? No license or anything?” What if he only pretended to trap her?
    “It’s within a captain’s rights, but that is irrelevant. I already have a license. I told you, this was always the plan.”
    “How will I know it is not an illusion?” His eyes searched her face.
    “You have to trust me that I would never hurt you. You feel it in your heart, I know you do, but you have to know it in your head.”
    It was Sarah’s turn to look at every angle of his face looking for the truth. “I want to believe…”
    “Believe in this,” his voice softly cajoled as his lips came down on hers.
    Sarah forgot everything as his lips seared hers in a scalding kiss.
    In that moment, Sarah knew she would take the chance.
    His lips lifted from hers and she gave a soft nod of approval. Brushing her hair back, that had caught in the wind, he leaned down and whispered in her ear. “Be ready this evening.”
     
    ***
     
    Sarah walked into Anne’s room. Anne was up, sitting in a chair, talking softly with Mrs. Flannery. Both women turned to look at her. “You were gone for a long time,” Mrs. Flannery stated outright, never one to mince words.
    “He asked me to marry him. Actually, he knows who I am. He says we were always supposed to marry.”
    “I think you had better start from the beginning.” Anne motioned for her to sit.
    Sarah told them everything. From her uncle, to the gentleman’s club to Rex’s proclamation that they were to marry. “I said that I would but what if it is a trick? What if he really wants to deliver me to my uncle?”
    “He doesn’t have to pretend to marry you to deliver you to your uncle. You’re on his boat,” Mrs. Flannery stated in her usual clipped tones.
    “Didn’t you hear what I said? My uncle wants to humiliate me. The club―“
    “Forgive me for interrupting, but Rex does not seem like the type of man to be