Captive Pride Read Online Free PDF

long weeks of celibacy was now most appealing. She read the invitation in his heated regard and was thrilled to know that he wanted her. Polly could hardly wait for the evening to pass so she could go to him.
    â€œIf you will be needing anything else, just let me know,” she told him flirtatiously as the barkeep’s impatient call drew her away.
    Matthew couldn’t prevent a wry smile as she moved off to do her job. “You do have a way with women.”
    â€œIt’s a burden I’ve tried my best to live with,” Noah quipped dryly as he began to eat.
    â€œI should be so burdened,” Matt grumbled good-humoredly, and Noah chuckled.
    â€œYour day will come,” he assured him.
    There was a moment of warmth between them then that had been rare during the past weeks, and Matt completely relaxed. “I’ve been quite impressed with what I’ve seen here.”
    â€œReally,” Noah replied without enthusiasm.
    â€œYou don’t like Boston?” Matt asked, hoping that, after all the bitterness they’d suffered in leaving England, his brother might be open to an opportunity to change their lives.
    â€œI don’t intend to be here long enough to find out whether I like it or not, Matthew,” Noah answered. There was only one thing he wanted to do, and that was to make as much as he could on this arms shipment and then return to England to reclaim what was rightfully theirs.
    â€œBut, Noah…think about it…. This would be the perfect place to make a fresh start….”
    Noah’s eyes narrowed as he turned a cold, silver regard upon his younger brother. “I had one reason and one reason only for coming here, and that is to make the most money possible in the least amount of time. You’ve heard the talk. There’s going to be trouble soon, and though I have every intention of making a profit off that trouble, I have no desire to get caught up in it. As soon as I’ve concluded our business dealings here, little brother, we’re going to be on our way back to England with our pockets well lined.”
    Matthew’s usually mellow temper flared at his dictatorial manner. Noah had their entire future all planned out and yet had never bothered to discuss it with him. “I resent your making decisions that will affect both of us without consulting me. I will, after all, be eighteen before the month is out.”
    Noah was surprised by his sudden show of defiance.
    â€œI do believe I’m aware of your age, Matthew. I was, after all, a full eight years old when you were born,” Noah drawled derisively. “As for my decision making, I have done, and will continue to do, those things that I feel will be of benefit to the both of us. Right now our primary concern—as you well know—is money and, to be more specific, a lack of it.”
    â€œI realize that but—”
    Noah cut him off. “There are no ‘buts’ about our situation. We have lost nearly everything. Don’t you remember the humiliation we suffered when we departed Kincade Hall for the last time?”
    â€œI haven’t forgotten,” he answered defensively, flushing at the painful memory.
    â€œThen where is your pride? I intend to reclaim the heritage that was stripped from us, Matthew. That is my only purpose right now, and it should be yours, too….”
    The sense of camaraderie that had existed between them ruined, Matt fell silent before Noah’s determined onslaught, for he could voice no convincing argument against his plans. Obviously, to Noah, his suggestion to start anew here in Boston had seemed cowardly, as if he were cutting and running, but Matt knew that wasn’t true. Feeling slightly bereft and not understanding why, Matt directed his attention to the meal before him, his appetite suddenly diminished.
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    The plaintive call of the night watch announcing the midnight hour echoed through the deserted