Savannah Heat Read Online Free PDF Page A

hair.
    After washing her face, and pinching her cheeks to give them a bit of color, she looked in the mirror and was surprised to see how good she looked. Even her saltwater swim hadn’t dimmed the sheen of her hair, and the night’s sleep had freshened her complexion.
    A key turning in the lock drew her attention. Morgan Trask walked in just as she turned toward the door. He stopped short, his eyes sliding along the curve of her hips, and down her long slim legs, more than evident in the snug-fitting breeches.
    Silver felt a rush of warmth to her cheeks. “I assure you, Major, if there were something more modest for me to wear, I’d be happy to do so.”
    “As soon as your other clothes have been cleaned and dried, they’ll be returned, though when it comes to modesty, they aren’t much better.”
    “Those were my working clothes.”
    “From the White Horse Inn, I believe.”
    “Yes.”
    “And you would rather stay here in Savannah and work in a den of thieves like that than return to your home”—his mouth curved up in a mirthless smile—“but then it isn’t our tropical climate that keeps you here, is it? It’s your lover who holds such appeal.”
    “I told you Pinkard is a liar. I have no lover. I only wished to live my life on my own.”
    “What’s his name?” Morgan asked, as if she hadn’t spoken. “Maybe I know him.”
    Silver clenched her fists. “If believing a man like Pinkard suits you, go right ahead. What I say means nothing to you anyway.”
    Morgan fell silent. His eyes, so unbelievably green,centered on her face. “You’ll stay in this cabin until we set sail. That’s tomorrow morning with the tide.”
    “Pinkard said you were going to Barbados.”
    “Katonga and then Barbados,” Morgan pointedly corrected, and Silver set her jaw. “Do you read?” he asked, changing the subject.
    “Of course I read.”
    “There are books on the shelves above my bed.”
    “I know,” she said, but at Morgan’s hard look she wished she could call back the words.
    “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t rummage through my things. There are no weapons left in here. You’ve already found the pistol and I removed my saber this morning. You’ll find little else of interest.”
    Silver didn’t answer. In an hour’s time she’d know more about Morgan Trask than he knew about himself.
Know thine enemy
. It was a motto she had come to live by.
    “If there’s anything you need, don’t ask,” Morgan finished coldly. “You’ll get no better treatment than the rest of the crew—aristocratic blood or not.”
    “I’ve asked for nothing, Major Trask. I don’t intend to.”
    A dark blond brow arched upward in surprise. He studied her a moment, appraising her, it seemed. “Tomorrow, after we leave, you may join us for supper.”
    He’s doing it again
, she thought.
He actually believes I’ll sit in here and do nothing
. “I look forward to meeting the others,” she couldn’t resist putting in. But at Trask’s sudden wariness, knew she shouldn’t have.
    “Behave yourself, Salena. I’m older and wiser—and a whole lot tougher. Do as I say, and you and I will get along fine.”
    “My name is Silver.”
    Morgan worked a muscle in his jaw. “I stand corrected.” But his green eyes said as soon as they set sail, he’d call her what he damned well pleased.
    Silver refrained from her retort by biting the tip of her tongue. She had more important matters to attend. As soon as the major locked her in, she set to work.
    Going through his shelves and cupboards, she discovered Trask was neater than most of the men she knew. Neat and well organized, but nothing like her father, who would discipline a servant for a book left out of place or a piece of lint overlooked on the mantel. On more than one occasion she had seen him take a clean white glove and run it across the surface of a table, just to be sure the servants were doing their job.
    Trask dressed well, she decided as she sifted through a