A Brother's Honor Read Online Free PDF Page A

girl.” Cookie’s face was taut with fury.
    â€œThey tried—”
    â€œTo frighten you, but you are a Fitzgerald. You will not let them scare you.”
    â€œI will try to be brave,” she whispered.
    â€œGood. Come with me.” He led her to the galley.
    The heat from the stove reached out to suck them in, but Abigail did not notice as she continued to shake.
    Cookie sat her on the nearest barrel. “Ye shouldn’t be down here alone, my girl.” He pulled a cup from a shelf and opened a canister. Filling the tin cup, he held it to her lips. “Drink.”
    A flame rolled along her throat with the rum. Tears blurred her eyes, and she choked. Pressing her hands to her chest, she fought the fire. Cookie slapped her on the back.
    â€œThanks,” she gasped. “If thanks is the proper word.”
    â€œAin’t nothing like rum to cut to the quick of the problem.”
    â€œTo the quick, anyway.” She rested her head against the uneven wall. Gazing up at the greasy ceiling, she mused, “Mayhap we should cut our throats and be done with it. If the French hangman does not have us, it will only be because these pirates have murdered us.”
    Cookie took a gulp of rum and smacked his lips. “Ye don’t believe that.”
    â€œI do not know what to believe any longer.” Leaning forward, she whispered, “Cookie, there are weapons in the hold.”
    â€œYer father wasn’t breaking no law.”
    â€œAre you sure? Will you testify to that under oath?”
    â€œAbigail!”
    â€œCookie, I know you would do anything for Father.” Even lie , she thought, but could not say the words aloud.
    â€œAye,” he breathed as he stared into his cup. “But what good will it do? Those accursed Frenchies won’t believe an honest American sailor.”
    She grasped his arm. “But why are there guns in the hold? Who was Father planning to sell them to?”
    â€œWhat ye don’t know, Abigail, that French cur can’t seduce out of ye.”
    â€œCookie! The only one who shares my bed is Dandy.”
    His wrinkled face brightened as he smiled. “I’m right pleased to hear that. If yer father were to learn ye were bedding down with that Frenchie, he’d be furious.”
    â€œIf he cares …” She glanced away. She could not let Captain St. Clair taint her thoughts with lies. But why had Father left her behind on the Republic? That one thing she could not understand. Not at all.
    â€œHe cares,” Cookie retorted.
    â€œBut he left me here!”
    â€œHe must have had his reasons.”
    â€œWhat could they possibly be?”
    Cookie put his hands on her arms. “Can’t know ’til we ask him. Go back to yer quarters and stay there.”
    â€œUntil we reach Calais?”
    â€œIs that where they be taking us?”
    â€œYou didn’t know?”
    He smiled. “Now I know, Abigail, and so shall the rest of our lads.” Putting his gnarled hands on her shoulders, he said, “If ye want to help, and I know ye do, listen well to what that Frenchie cap’n has to say. Anything ye think might be helpful, let me know.”
    â€œI shall come right—”
    â€œNo!” He lowered his voice. “Don’t come here again. I shall find a way to talk with ye. But heed his words well, Abigail. What ye learn may be our salvation.” His lips tightened into a straight line. “Our only salvation.”

Chapter Three
    Thunder obliterated the high-pitched scream of the wind through the rigging. The ship rocked wildly. Flashes of lightning danced through the sky, coming closer to the mast. Rain splattered on the windows.
    With each crack of thunder, Abigail flinched. She bent to pick up the pillow that had been knocked off her bed. Clutching it, she clung to the bed as the ship pitched. She shivered beneath her paisley shawl. If Captain St. Clair was not the captain he