Expedition of Love Read Online Free PDF Page A

blackmail is not an option. He must decide on his own, or the expedition will suffer.” She turned to her father at the touch of his hand to her shoulder.
    "Thank you, my dear. I hadn't wanted to use the clipper as a leverage tool. Blackmailing a friend and colleague is just not acceptable, although I was quite tempted there for a moment. Now, if he should discover we are the owners of the Sweet Anita, it won't be such a shock.” He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “I think I shall go up top for some air and visit with Captain Hastings. I'll call for you at supper time."
    She finished unpacking, then slipped through the connecting door to her cabin to do the same for herself, having no maid to assist her, and readied herself for dinner. Although the meal was still a few hours away, she had to look perfect. Not only did she need to reaffirm Doctor Baxter's decision to let her continue on the trip, there were three other gentlemen she would have to prove herself to. She could not allow any member of the team to see her as a weak link.
    Earning their respect as a scientist in her own right was her top priority. After all, she did hold a degree in biology with a minor in geology, and had trained under her father for years in fossil research. Although photography was her chosen profession, if she were forced to choose another it would be paleontology. The subject had always fascinated her.
    She smiled as she braided several strands of her hair. Strange how she wouldn't have found one without the other. If her father hadn't had a photographer on their last expedition, she would never have discovered her love for the craft.
    Poor Mr. Hasset was beside himself with her constant bombardment of questions. She rarely gave the man a moment's peace, but in the end he gifted her with a camera and wished her luck. Since then, she hadn't been able to stop learning more about photography and taking as many pictures as she could. She experimented with everything from the daguerreotype to flexible film.
    Enjoying working with each different process, she found it difficult deciding which would be best for the expedition. The wet process was out of the question due to the need of a darkroom tent for immediate processing and the large amounts of chemicals she would have to take. That left the dry plate process and flexible film. After much mental vacillation, she decided to bring both. It never hurt to have an alternate plan in case the first one failed.
    Pinning the last braided stand in a loop to the top of her head, she examined her work. “Well, it will have to do."
    Turning to her limited wardrobe, she selected her best dress. She felt somewhat guilty using her looks to assist in winning over the team, but she had learned long ago to use every tool at her disposal. After all, men never failed to use their position of power to rule women. A situation she refused to ever find herself in.
    No, her tactics were well founded. This expedition meant a great deal to her and to her father, and she refused to let it be ruined by closed-minded males.
    * * * *
    Stephen gripped the smooth railing of the clipper and watched the skyline of New York fade in the distance with the setting sun. Inhaling the tangy salt air, he prayed he was doing the right thing. If anything should happen to Miss Peterson on this trip, he would never forgive himself. Yet her own father seemed quite certain she would be fine.
    Fine .
    She was more than fine. She was walking perfection.
    He grinned with a slight shake of his head. Perhaps unique was a better term. He chuckled under his breath, still unable to believe she'd called him an arrogant ass. There was no doubt she would continue to surprise him on this voyage. He only hoped he would be able to keep his distance.
    A great deal of work lay ahead, and he couldn't afford to be distracted by her. Yet, perhaps he already was. The fire in her eyes when she railed at him, the softly spoken thanks before he left, all