Hart's Reward (Pirates & Petticoats #3) Read Online Free PDF

 
    “The Persian!”
    “I’ll put six on Ronnie!”
    With that, there were more bets and jovial taunting among the crew. Keelan raised her sword in a salute, and Ronnie did the same. Both began circling. Ronnie made the first move lunging half-heartedly at her. Keelan stepped aside, batted his blade down, spun and slapped the flat of her blade across his back as he stumbled past.
    The men laughed and continued to toss out jibes as well as bets. She faced him again. Ronnie’s lips were in a thin line and his face reddened at the good natured cheers and jeers from the men.  
    “C’mon Ronnie, lad!”
    “Yer a head taller and a stone or two heavier, remember? Put yer weight into it!”
    Ronnie raised his brows at her and by the expression on his face, he wasn’t willing to hold back any longer. His swings became faster and harder. The two lunged, swung, blocked and parried for several more minutes until both were panting from the exertion.
    Ronnie was stronger, but predictable. All she had to do was faint to the left to pull him off balance, kick his feet out from under him and she’d win. However, she needed Ronnie’s help and protection. He seemed like a good lad, but she’d met him only a week ago. She couldn’t take the risk she’d wound his youthful pride enough that he’d lash out later and reveal her disguise or refuse to assist her and Daniel when they needed him.
    She slowed down her pace and brought her weapon up in a diagonal slash, allowing Ronnie the opportunity to block and disarm her, which he did.
    She raised her hands. “I yield.”
    The men cheered and crowded him, slapping him on the back, but he caught her gaze and his eyes narrowed. She gave him the tiniest lift of her chin in response. She’d not embarrass him in front of the men, but neither would she lie to him.
    She couldn’t stop herself from glancing back to the helm. Did it work? Landon frowned at her. It hadn’t. Not only had it not jolted his memory, but now he looked angry. What had she done to raise his ire this time?
    The activity had winded her and a fine sweat covered her brow and face. She absently reached up and removed the faded cloth from her head and used it to wipe her face and neck. Landon whirled away from her, hands braced on the rail, his attention on the horizon.  
    She was more alone now than she’d been in her entire life.  

CHAPTER FOUR

    The bones of the Desire creaked and groaned. It was dusk and the last vestiges of the sun’s rays skittered over the wall opposite the port hole as the ship rose and fell with the rolling ocean. Keelan dipped a rag into the shallow bowl of tepid water and rubbed it over her face, neck and arms, wiping away the grit of dried salt spray. She studied the top of her hand, then craned her head and peered at the back of her shoulder. The stain had definitely faded. She glanced at the small bottle of dye near the bowl. She’d have to reapply it before they sailed into the port of Charleston.
    The thought of another application had her wrinkling her nose. The dye had been made from a mixture of molasses, black walnut hulls, and a partially burned hog carcass. The odor wasn’t unpleasant as much as out of place. Would the crew wonder why she smelled like a burned ham, or would they not think on it, since she worked in the galley?  
    Hopefully, the latter.
    She let her shoulders fall and huffed out a short sigh. Best to get it done; she’d put it off long enough. She pulled the stopper from the bottle of dye and paused. Mrs. Schoen, a tavern keepers wife and a part of Fynn’s network of folk helping slaves escape to freedom, had rubbed the dye on Keelan’s face and shoulders the first time.  
    How would she be able to spread the stain evenly over her face by herself without a mirror? Landon had one in his cabin. If he was still on the aft deck talking with Gus, she’d have plenty of time to borrow it. She would be in and out before he returned for bed.

    “Is the Whistling