Desire and Deception Read Online Free PDF

on another tangent. "My father has arranged a marriage for me."
    Kyle gaped at his friend and captain, staring as if a two-tailed sea dragon had suddenly stepped into Jason's highly polished boots. "The devil, you say!" he breathed at last.
    Jason wore a contemplative expression as he leaned back in his chair and drew an imaginary pattern on the desktop with a lean forefinger. "I've agreed to meet the lady."
    Kyle drained his glass, then refilled it slowly. " Skulduggery must run in your family," he said, his tone remarkably sober. "The marquess is the only man I know who has more schemes up his sleeve than you do. Only he favors blackmail. Seriously, Jase , whatever possessed you to agree to such a thing? You know what he means to do, don't you? Wants you to settle down and have a passel of brats. Don't see the reason for it, myself. Your brother already has a boy of his own—succession secure and all that."
    "I'm afraid my father doesn't quite see it that way— insecurity and all that," Jason returned dryly. "But what would you do if you were offered the Carlin Line for a dowry?"
    Kyle's jaw dropped once more. "The Carlin ships?" When he realized Jason wasn't joking, he whistled softly through his teeth. "Why, that clever, clever bastard. He knew that would hook you, if anything would. I take back what I said. You're a rank amateur compared to your father."
    Jason chuckled and raised a hand. "Hold, man, I haven't agreed to do anything except pay a call on the heiress. You already have me leg-shackled."
    "Why not? Even a bracket-faced harridan would be worth the Carlin fleet. Who's the bride, anyway?"
    "Carlin's daughter. And she's supposed to be a beauty, though still somewhat young."
    Kyle's brows drew together in a frown as he searched his memory. "But that's rather . . . There was a rumor some years back about a kid. Said to be touched in the head or something. Locked up in Bedlam."
    Jason shook his head. "No truth to it, or so my father assures me. I am, however, to be given an opportunity to judge for myself when I pay her a visit. I thought I would set out for Cornwall in the morning. If I make haste, I could be back before repairs are completed on the Leucothea ."
    Kyle continued to frown. "I don't like it, Jase . Smells odd. My advice is to forget it. You already have a tidy pile, in spite of His Lordship's efforts to keep you a gentleman. What you ought to do is turn those brains of yours to shady dealings. That'll spike the old man's guns and make you rich at the same time. Besides, a wife won't take kindly to you fighting a war and traipsing all over the world."
    Jason directed a penetrating glance at his foxed first mate. "I had thought to put the Leucothea under your command."
    Looking down, Kyle scowled into his glass. "Damn it, Jason, I've already agreed to stay. There's no need for you to offer a bribe like that."
    Jason's blue eyes filled with amusement. "You wound me, mate. I hadn't even considered bribing you. You've earned command of a ship. It was part of the deal."
    "But you can't be thinking of leaving the Leucothea yet."
    "Not immediately, but I will someday. You know I never meant to make a career of the sea. You've taught me all I wanted to know and more about sailing. Besides, if I do decide to marry Carlin's daughter, I'll have an entire merchant fleet at my disposal. It won't be the same, of course . . ."
    Jason's voice trailed off as he let his gaze wander about the sparsely furnished captain's cabin. It seemed small when occupied by the two of them. Both were tall men, with powerful, well-muscled bodies and broad shoulders—although "massive" was probably a more appropriate term for Kyle. But regardless of the cabin's lack of comfort, it had been a home to Jason for nearly two years. He was as familiar with every inch of its oak-paneled bulkheads and gleaming brass fixtures as he was with the rest of the brig, and he had enjoyed every moment of being the Leucothea ' s captain. He would miss