A Brother's Honor Read Online Free PDF

boasted he was, they could be sunk.
    She knelt to stare out the window. Although it was mid afternoon, the sky was black. With a moan, she pressed her face into the pillow as lightning struck the sea. She knew it was silly to be terrified of storms. When she had been a child, her aunt had eased her fear by taking Abigail into her arms and singing lullabies until the storm passed. Now she was alone. A voice—any voice—would help mute the noise overhead. When she heard the door to the saloon open, she ran out. It took all her strength not to fling herself into Captain St. Clair’s arms.
    He gave her no more than a glance as he rushed into her father’s room. She followed, glad it was only a pair of steps across the pitching deck. When she gasped at another peal of thunder, he looked up.
    â€œI hope your face’s gray hue does not mean you suffer from seasickness when the sea is a bit rough,” he said.
    â€œNo, I am not seasick. ’Tis the storm.”
    Selecting a map, he turned. “Frightened of thunder and lightning?” He smiled before crossing the saloon. Over his shoulder, he threw, “Hope we endure only this noisy show. If the heart of the storm catches us, we shall have more to worry about.”
    Rain shot into the saloon as he closed the door. She huddled by the table until the lamp hooked to a rafter flickered and went out.
    The door crashed open. A man blew into the room. “Is the captain here?” he shouted.
    â€œNo.” She swallowed harshly when he faced her. Jourdan!
    He snickered as he walked toward her. Although the wind screeched through the open door, her heart thudded even more loudly.
    â€œCaptain St. Clair is on deck,” she said, backing toward her room. “If your message is urgent—”
    â€œLet the message wait.” His voice was hoarse with lust. “You owe me for the reprimand I got from Captain St. Clair.”
    â€œReprimand?”
    â€œFor the lies you told him.” He caught her arm. When she screamed, he smiled. “Screech all you want, woman. No one will hear you but me.”
    She grabbed a wine bottle from the cabinet and broke it over his head. He dropped to one knee, but reached for her skirt.
    She ran to her bedroom door. He lurched to his feet and blocked her way. She raced the other way, fighting the deck, which seemed alive beneath her feet. He followed. She pushed the bench toward him. He crashed to the floor. His murderous scowl nearly paralyzed her. He threw himself forward.
    With a cry, she stumbled back against the open door. The wind thrashed her skirt in the wild melody singing through the rigging. Sea spray burned her face. She raised her arm to cover her mouth and nose as she clung to the door.
    Jourdan reached for her. She tried to push him away. She shrieked as she was flung onto the deck. Water crashed over her. Struggling to her feet, she slipped on the wet deck, which arched and flowed like Dandy. The ship dropped into a deep trough. She gripped the railing. Her eyes widened as she saw the other railing dip toward the water. Glancing over her shoulder, she stared at a black mountain of water about to pounce on the Republic .
    Crouching, she pressed her face to the rail as water crashed over her. Then the ship righted itself. Could Captain St. Clair steer the Republic through this? She had to get below before she was washed away.
    With her shawl over her face, she ran to the nearest companionway. She kicked the covering, but could not loosen it. She must go back. If Jourdan was still there … Water struck her, forcing her to her knees. She had to go back.
    She took one step, men cried out as she was knocked off her feet. Waves ground her under gray paws. If she was washed overboard, she never would be found.
    Rising, she lurched to a mast. A rope flailed in the wind. She tried to grab it, but it spun away. She pressed her face to the mast as a wave broke over the ship. Her cry for help was