Love's Fiery Jewel Read Online Free PDF

of the
slaves' diet, was anxiously awaited. He was especially
pleased that on this voyage he had been able to negotiate
in advance for a full return cargo of gunpowder and
military supplies that were not generally available to
Yankee buyers and were so badly needed by the colonial
army. It made no difference to General Washington
whatsoever that his needed supplies were smuggled past
British gunboats. In fact, it appeared to increase his appreciation of them.

    The first gray shafts of dawn were beginning to squeeze
through the drawn blinds in the small opulently
furnished room and Damien glanced regretfully toward
the wide disheveled bed that dominated the center. And
damned if Ruby hadn't made it worth the risk to come see
her last night. The sensuous octoroon was well versed in
her trade, and Damien suspected that the bags of rice and
flour he had, brought her were more welcome than
diamonds. Stopping just a moment longer to run his eyes
over the dusky-skinned beauty sleeping so soundly,
Damien gave a small laugh. She had fair worn him out
last night in appreciation, and, he suspected, in hopes
that her performance would insure a visit on his next
voyage to the islands-which indeed it had.
    "You have well earned your rest, Ruby," Damien
snickered lightly to the sleeping streggah, and throwing
her a farewell kiss, he quietly opened the door and moved
down the dark stairway. "Hell," he mused as he stopped
midway to stretch his tired, aching body, "it's going to be
a long day." Suddenly remembering the touch of those
full, demanding lips against his skin, he sighed contentedly. "But it was worth it..."
    With another small, self-satisfied laugh, Damien
continued down the steps, casually and effectively
dismissing the sleeping woman from his mind. He had
more important things to think of now and Ruby would
not enter his thoughts-again until he returned to Jamaica.
The important thing now was to get out of the area as
quickly as possible without being recognized and return
to his ship. With a strong sense of purpose Damien
continued down the staircase, his mind already running
ahead to the tasks of the day that was just dawning.
Loading of fresh water and cargo would have to be
completed so they could sail on the evening tide. They
could not risk another night on the island. There was always the chance that someone would find the reward
on his head just too tempting to turn down, even though
the individual who dared would suffer the wrath of the
entire island if he were found out. After all, he was a
hero, wasn't he? And in addition to that, he had strong
obeah! Chuckling lightly to himself, Damien reached the
foot of the steps and turned into the alleyway. He was
well aware that the islanders were in awe of his powers of
witchcraft, and their superstitious beliefs served his
purpose well.. .were in fact his best insurance against
being turned over to the...

    "Captain Straith!" A small whispered voice cut into
Damien's wandering thoughts and brought him up
sharply for the briefest second before he continued
briskly down the street. Light footsteps sounded behind
him and the voice hissed again, "Captain Straith!" but
Damien strode purposefully forward, effectively ignoring the urgent summons.
    The running footsteps behind him came closer, and
Damien braced himself the second before a small hand
grasped his arm, simultaneously jerking him around.
    "Captain Straith! Please, I want to talk to you a
moment."
    Glancing down sharply at the boy standing beside him,
every nerve in his body alert to impending danger,
Damien responded with feigned annoyance, "You have
the wrong man, boy. My name is not Straith. Now get
along and leave me alone. I have places to go." Shaking
off the small hand that clutched' his arm, he continued
down the street, shooting quick, surreptitious glances
out of the corner of his eye for a possible trap, for which
this boy was possibly the