Surrender Read Online Free PDF Page A

pretended nothing. You wanted me to be another man. Don’t ever doubt my word; I don’t give it lightly. Now, what about you?”
    “What do you mean?”
    “I’ve given you my word, now you must do the same. Swear that you’ll give me no more trouble.”
    “But—I can’t. I don’t see how—”
    “I’m sure your friend Finn would be greatly distressed to know that you hesitated so with his life in the balance.”
    “Damn you!” She didn’t want to swear anything to him. “Have it as you wish!” She hoped that would be good enough.
    It wasn’t.
    He arched a brow. “I’m sorry?”
    “So am I. Damned sorry.”
    “Miss Magee, I want your word, please.”
    “Fine! I swear!”
    He studied her, nodding slightly. “Fine. Bear in mind that I don’t give my word lightly, nor do I accept yours lightly in return. If I’m to be of any good to either my cousin or Alaina, I must get moving quickly.”
    “I cannot just wait here, a prisoner in this room—”
    “Then, don’t just wait. Pray. Pray that I find Ian and Alaina. Because these are dangerous games you and Alaina have chosen to play.”
    With that, the door closed, and she was left alone.
    Jerome McKenzie paused very briefly in the doorway. He set his hands out before him, and gritted his teeth as he saw them shaking. Damn the war.
    Damn his own part in it.
    And damn Alaina for being such a determined little fool, and Ian for being the enemy. And damn the elegant and foolhardy auburn-haired wench in Belamar’s guest room. He’d almost killed her; he’d been very afraid at first that in his attempt to stop her from her reckless dive into the sea he had cracked her skull. But she’d been alive, and before he’d even had the opportunity to speak to her, she’d mistaken him for Ian and spilled out all that she’d heard about his plans to take the
Maid of Salem
.
    So he now knew Risa. The woman whom Ian had intended to marry before fate had stepped in. Leave it to Ian, he thought wryly. She was beautiful, passionate—and reckless as all hell. She was still in love with his cousin, so it seemed, but now she had become his prisoner—and a threat to them all. His softhearted parents were due back from their home just north of here to tend to Alaina’s property—a task they had taken on while the rest of the family fought out the war on their different sides. If Risa Magee threw herself on his mother’s mercy, or looked to his sister or family for help, there could be real trouble between them all.
    It was a dangerously explosive situation.
    It didn’t matter, he told himself grimly. He did have to move fast. Ian and Alaina must be found. And Alaina must be kept alive.
    He moved away from the door and hesitated another fraction of a second. He didn’t have the manpower he needed to guard his reckless prisoner properly. His threats were mainly a bluff—he had no intention of hanging the disarming Finn, but Risa Magee was a serious danger since he was certain she would risk life and limb again in service to the Union if need be, and if threats would help make her more reasonable, he would gladly use them.
    He couldn’t risk her escaping him. Perhaps there was a painless measure he could take to make sure she didn’t.
    Grimly, he started from the house, then shouted out his orders to the few men he had with him on the islet.
    The first hour he was gone, she paced.
    She was too restless to sit still and too nervous to attempt escape.
    She began to feel more and more uncomfortable as the fire dried the last of the salty dampness from her clothing. On impulse she tore into the wardrobe. Alaina was petite; Risa was tall, but anything had to be better than the tatters she was wearing. Yet she quickly ascertained that this wardrobe held clothing belonging to someone else. She found pantalets and a chemise that would fit her well enough, along with an array of dresses that were equally as long.
    The washstand offered a full pitcher of fresh water. She doused