Pirate of My Heart: A Novel Read Online Free PDF Page A

living, but that is all.”
    Anger expanded from the pit of Edward’s stomach, spreading to his throbbing temples. How could his brother have been so ignorant as to gamble such a large fortune when he was already in debt from past gambling failures? “I want a summons sent to Andrew immediately. I vow, he will sell his worldly possessions down to the clothes on his back and be here to witness his family’s ruin.” He wanted to add “may the devil take him” or “may he rot” but stopped the thought. God help us, he cried out in silent helplessness instead.

    It took Andrew two days to arrive in his fancy black carriage. Edward watched it swing into the Townsend drive from an upstairs window and ground his teeth. That carriage would be the first thing to go. His gaze roved over the matched team of grays and his brother’s fashionable clothes, calculating their cost in his head. Fury hummed through his veins as he realized his brother didn’t seem to care that he flaunted the picture of a wealthy gentleman while his family became paupers. This had gone too far, beyond sin to some sort of evil. Never in his wildest dreams had Edward imagined his brother could get himself into so much trouble. Didn’t he have any sense?
    A scratching at the door announced his butler.
    “Come in.”
    “Sir, Lord Andrew has arrived.” The butler’s cheek gave a nervous twitch as he looked across the expanse of the sparse room toward Edward. And well he should be nervous. After serving the Townsend family for over three decades the man wouldn’t have a job for much longer!
    “Bring him in.” Edward walked forward and crossed his arms in front of his chest.
    A few moments later, Andrew slunk into the room, his head down, shaking his head at the carpet like a sorry little boy.
    A tirade of insults sprang to Edward’s mind like he had never imagined, but he pushed them aside. “Do you realize what you’ve done?” His voice held the despairing rage that he felt.
    No answer.
    “You’ve ruined your family! Ruined us all, you fool.”
    Andrew remained looking shamefaced at the carpet.
    Edward walked up to his brother, standing only inches away. “Look at me, Andrew. Look into my eyes and see the devastation.”
    Andrew looked up, those pale blue eyes glassy with unshed tears. “Ed, I—”
    “Everything I’ve worked for is gone. Not just for Kendra and myself but for you too, the future Townsends.” Pointing back toward the window, he whispered in a hiss, “Then you pull up in that fancy carriage with horses that must have cost a small fortune.” He poked Andrew in the chest. “While I’ve been paying off your debts, you’ve been living life on the scale of the haute ton.” He reached out and gripped one of Andrew’s shoulders. “That’s going to end, Andrew. You are going to sell everything you own down to your extra pair of stockings and live here while we, together , work like beasts to keep what little we have left. Do you understand me, Andrew?”
    Andrew nodded his head. “Ed, does this mean I actually have to move home? You’re not going to work me like an animal around this old pile of stone, are you? Won’t I even get a small allowance?”
    The whining tone put Edward in a new state of anger he had never experienced before. “Allowance!” he thundered. “Even if there was money to give you one, I would not! It’s time you took responsibility for your actions and became a man. Your carousing days are over. Your gambling days are over. You are going to stay right here and pick up your responsibilities.” Edward backed away, afraid he would strike him. He took a deep breath and lowered his voice to that of a stern father. “You’ve been coddled and spoiled far too long and it shows. It’s partly Mother’s and my fault, you’ve been left to yourself all your life and had too much time and income to get into this mess. You need discipline, not an allowance. I see our mistake now, but it’s too late.