Love's Fiery Jewel Read Online Free PDF Page A

and trade some for fresh
milk and eggs. She had heard two men talking at the
performance the previous night. The Sally had arrived
the night before with a cargo of food and was secretly
docked somewhere on the island. Captain Straith.. .a
small grimace of distaste crossed her youthful features at
the mere thought of his name. Four years had not
lessened her instinctive, well-remembered dislike of the
man, but he was her only hope. He had liked her
mother.. .he had been holding her hand that day on the
ship, hadn't he? She would explain how sick Mama was.
She'd beg if she had to, although the mere thought
revolted her, but she'd wring some supplies out of his cold heart. She had to...

    With a determination born of desperation, Amethyst
increased her speed. Her light footsteps skimming over
the ground, she was mindless of the danger of her solitary
mission when with heart-stopping abruptness a large
figure lurched out of a doorway as she passed, catching
her leg and knocking her to the ground. Aided by the
strength of pure, unmitigated fear, Amethyst pushed and
pounded at the clutching hands, wriggling and squirming
until she had worked herself free. Struggling to her feet,
she ran as fast as her slender legs would carry her. Her
heart pounding in fear, Amethyst ran blindly down the
winding street until her heaving lungs could take no
more. Gasping painfully, she finally slowed her pace and
threw a frightened glance over her shoulder. No one
followed! With an immense sense of relief she realized
the man had probably been drunk.. .there were many
drunks in the dock area. It was a dangerous place to be,
which had been the main reason for Tillie's objection to
her plan. But dressed as she was in boy's clothing, her
long hair stuffed into a hat that she wore pulled well
down over her ears, she could go on without further
problem... she hoped.
    "Just a few blocks more," Amethyst mumbled under
her breath as she cast apprehensive glances into the
shadows. Despite her resolve, the superstitions of the
island began to play on her mind. In each wavering
shadow she half expected to see the Old Hige, the hag
who shed her skin each night to wander in the dark in the
shape of a ball of fire and suck the blood of sleepers. Or
the Rolling Calf with its fiery eyes, dragging its chain
behind it...
    Shaking her head clear of rioting thoughts, Amethyst
stopped to get her bearings. The bawdy house should be
near. It was usually easy to find by the noise emanating
from the many well-lit rooms, but it was so late that all was quiet. Oh, she hoped she hadn't missed him, but if
she could judge from the snickers of the two men,
Captain Straith would be at his favorite streggah's rooms
until the early morning hours. Amethyst's education on
that score had been quite broad. She had learned a long
time ago how these women made their living, selling
themselves. As for her, she would rather die than let that
vile man touch her.

    Finally judging she had indeed arrived at her
destination, Amethyst glanced up and down the street. It
was quite empty, and realizing she could do no more than
wait, Amethyst moved into the shelter of a doorway and
sat down. Pulling her knees up to her chest, she locked
her arms around them in a small, tight ball. She would
wait until morning if she had to. If only she hadn't missed
him...
    Shooting an absentminded glance into the ornate
vanity mirror in the gaudy bordello room, Captain
Straith quickly brushed his heavy sun-streaked hair into
place. He had stayed longer than he intended. It was
nearly daylight and he had a lot of work ahead of him
before he sailed. By now the cargo would be unloaded and
the reloading underway. A small smile curved his full,
sensuous mouth. A run to Jamaica always proved well
worth the risk. The residents of the island were near
panic for food, and his cargo of flour, rice, Indian corn,
meat, and the dried herring which was the staple