Code of Honor (Australian Destiny Book #1) Read Online Free PDF

works outside the house for the most part, so we’ve scant contact.”
    “Her own pursuits. Byron Vickers?”
    “The cane cutter with the black beard, aye. A jovial bear of a man.” Good friend of the Reverend’s, Samantha thought—but she didn’t say that—not the way Mr. Sloan failed so obviously to tolerate the preacher, much less get along with him.
    “Just wondering. I heard a rumor that she might try to break indenture.”
    “She’s never mentioned anything to meself, but then, she’d have nae reason to.”
    “And Kathleen Corcoran?”
    “Ah, now ourselves have become quite close, with her in the kitchen and I as housemaid. A delightful girl, that; always jolly and always helpful.”
    “Any romances on her horizon?”
    “Romances? I’ve nae idea, but I doubt it, sir. She’s not been acting moony or anything of the sort.”
    “How about you? Romance got you yet?”
    Samantha’s cheeks warmed instantly. Now, why should that be? “I’ve an indenture to serve out first, sir. No use to think of romance yet.”
    “Your sister’s not waiting.”
    At last she could see where this conversation was headed so obliquely. She stopped and turned to face him, which drew him up as well. “Forgive me speaking boldly, sir, but ye as much as asked. We Connollys be an honorable clan, and if we make agreement to something, we hold up our side of it. She agreed to work for ye three years and ye may rest assured she’ll serve her full indenture.”
    “And if Luke Vinson decides the Connolly honor isn’t worth the wait … ?”
    Samantha began walking again. She was getting much too lippy with her employer; she must cool down, resume her proper place. “I admit Meg fancies the preacher, sir, but that may or may not come to anything. She’s fancied any number of swains in times past. Besides, ’tis not Luke Vinson’s honor to be maintained, ’tis ours. And we shall. Ye needn’t worry about Meg.” She glanced up at him.
    He was watching her with a bemused, lilting twinkle in those dark, dark eyes. “Ah. Now I see what it takes to build a fire in Samantha Connolly. Challenge the family honor.”
    Her cheeks were hot again. “Honor bought with a heavy price, sir. Me father worked for a major cabinetmaker in Cork. When he refused to take part in a scheme to defraud a builder, he was fired. The best joiner and cabinetmaker in Ireland, and for years he could get nae work. And me brother Edan died for honor. Honor and freedom. ’Tis not a thing to be taken lightly.”
    “Obviously not.” Suddenly he turned and vaulted into the saddle. Gypsy stumbled two steps back and danced in place, held to the spot by that firm hand. “I want you to tell me if you hear any rumblings about Amena quitting the crib.” He twisted Gypsy’s head around, and in a spray of stinging, flying sand they were off at a canter down the beach.
    Samantha resumed her walk along the restless edge of the sea. So. Cole Sloan certainly didn’t pass the time of day with me merely to be friendly. He wants an informant. He pumps me of what I know and sends me out to learn more, eh? She sighed. How she hated these intrigues employers seemed always to place upon the staff! Tattle here. Spy there. Find out what my wife does tomorrow. Tell the gardener such and so. Let me know when …
    Somehow, she realized, she had almost thought she could put that sort of thing behind her when she put Ireland behind her. But no matter where she went, she could never escape human nature.
    There were the loading docks in the distance. Samantha turned right onto the quiet little side path to the house. It angled from the shore up through the dim and sober forest to join the main walkway between house and stables. She found herself walking faster through this gloom. A dazzling little green pigeon with a red cap and yellow tail tip settled in a tree ahead and froze, as if by simply sitting quietly it could hide its lovely colors. Samantha stepped out into the walkway