A Pirate's Wife for Me Read Online Free PDF Page A

expedition."
    Cate had met her share of domineering women – her mother was one – but she couldn't continue to interrogate Sibeol. For all her small stature, Sibeol dominated the room. She acted as if she had rights granted by God Himself. Cate would have given much to know if that attitude could be acquired, if one had to be born with it, or if it could be purchased.
    As Sibeol looked Cate over, her severity eased. "I spent my youth envying tall, willowy women, but I'm too old to want to be anything but what I am. So I can look on you and think how lucky you are."
    Cate fumbled for words as she had fumbled with her buttons. "Some people would tell you I'm too tall."
    "They are jealous."
    Without fondness, Cate remembered the girls who had taunted her when she was twelve and towered over the lads. "They are fools."
    "You're quite comely." It was clear Sibeol considered hers the deciding opinion. "You could use some polish, but I'm sure that will come with time."
    "I don't know why you believe me to be unpolished."
    "You shot the Cap'n."
    "That was not an ill-mannered action, but one of necessity, and I warned him clearly enough to desist before I put the bullet in him."
    "Those are good manners, indeed."
    Sibeol could be as sarcastic as she liked. Cate didn't care, as long she understood the circumstances and Cate's quite practical defense.
    "When I was young, I had hair as beautiful as yours. My husband used to brush it before we went to bed." Sibeol stared at Cate, but Cate would have sworn she didn't see her. "More than ten years he's been gone, and I still miss the old devil." Sighing, she brought her attention back to Cate. "Why don't I brush your hair?"
    Discerned, Cate touched her chignon and the wisps of hair hanging around her face. "I … thank you. That would be lovely."
    "Get your brush."
    Cate did as she was told. Despite Sibeol's attempt to set her at ease, she couldn't have felt more awkward.
    Sibeol indicated Cate should sit on the chair. "Did Taran … harm you?"
    Cate had traveled to London by herself. She had found her way into The Distinguished Academy of Governesses, and convinced Adorna, Lady Bucknell, to take her in and then to recommend her to the Home Office. She had endured an interview with powerful men, and convinced them she should be chosen for this task. She had traveled to Poole. She had, at night, entered a pub filled with men. She had shot her former lover. But never had she been as intimidated as she was now. " I didn't let him."
    "So you shot him first . Good for you." Sibeol's thin, grim mouth lifted in a smile. "But if you will allow me to pretend I am your mother, I would remind you that a young lady doesn't allow a man into her bedchamber. It's not proper, and it leads to this kind of unseemly behavior."
    With unnecessary force, Cate sat on the straight-backed chair. "I did not let him in. He came in."
    Sibeol gently pulled the pins from Cate's mussed hair, and placed them in a tidy pile on the nightstand. Holding Cate's shoulder-length hair in her hands, she said, "Lovely. Like liquid copper trouble." Sibeol smoothed the brush through the tangles. "I can't help but wonder about your presence here. What is a MacLean doing working for the English? I would have never thought a MacLean would so lower himself – or in your case, herself."
    "Sometimes it is necessary to join with one's enemies for a common cause."
    "That I understand. But surely your mother isn't happy about your role here."
    In the understatement of her lifetime, Cate said, "My mother breaks every mold." Cate's mother smoked cigars, wore fashions that were thirty years out of date … and disdained undergarments. Lady Bess would never venture to advise Cate on her choice of occupation.
    "What about your brother? Kiernan, I believe his name is."
    Cate pressed her hand over her heart. "Kiernan could never say no to me."
    From the taproom below, they heard a crash loud enough to make them jump, and boisterous laughter. In