Surrender the Dawn Read Online Free PDF Page B

merchantman, shouted from the porch.
    Jake, a chandler, who stood beside him, lifted his mug toward Luke. “There’s a game of Gleek awaiting you, my friend.”
    “Not tonight, gentlemen,” Luke shouted in passing. No. Tonight he had a desire to get home early.
    Though he didn’t quite know why.
    The few coins in his pocket jingled their plea for a chance to reproduce upon the gambling table. But somehow he felt it would taint the lingering memory of his brief time with Miss Channing. Ever since Noah’s fateful engagement party two years ago, Luke’s eye had oft found its way to the charming red-haired lady. But his gaze was all he would risk offering her. She was far too much a lady to be seen with the likes of him. Too much of a lady to entertain his advances. Luke knew his place. The only women who tolerated his company were tavern wenches, and they only did so for the coin he tossed their way. Up until tonight, Miss Channing had not spoken two words to him. But what a voice she possessed. Like an angel’s.
    An angel’s voice wrapped around a fiery dart!
    Lud, such bravery! Where other women would have swooned, she fought against her attackers like a tigress. And when she could have run, she’d chosen to stay and help him. He’d never seen such valor in a woman.
    But why had she risked being accosted by strolling about town unescorted? Didn’t she have brothers? Two older ones, if he recalled. Another reason why Luke had stayed away.
    Besides the fact that she would outright reject any attention on his part.
    Which she had definitely done tonight. Then why did his heart feel as full as a sail in high wind instead of as heavy as an anchor? It made no sense at all. But what did it matter? If the lady possessed an astute mind—which it appeared she did—she would no doubt avoid him henceforth and with even more determination.
    By the time Luke reached home, his feet dragged as much as his quickly sinking spirits. He still had no money, a rotten bucket of a ship, and his brief time with Miss Cassandra Channing had come to an end.
    No sooner had he shut the front door of his small house, however, than a
thump thump thump
sounded, and John hobbled into the room. “You’re home early!” The boy, who reached just above Luke’s waist, gazed up at him with so much affection, all Luke’s problems retreated out the door behind him—at least for the moment.
    Luke tousled the lad’s hair and returned his embrace as the smells of broiled fish and fresh biscuits enticed his nose. “Nothing can keep me from my favorite brother.”
    Mrs. Barnes entered the foyer, wiping her hands on her apron. “Apparently many things can. This is the first night this week you’vemade it home for supper.”
    John released Luke, a flippant grin on his lips. “And I’m your
only
brother.”
    Luke clamped John in a headlock and ground his knuckles into his brother’s thick brown hair. “You’d still be my favorite if I had a hundred brothers.”
    Mrs. Barnes clicked her tongue. “Come now, Luke. You’re messing up his hair.”
    “Oh, I would indeed enjoy having so many brothers.” John giggled. “Then I wouldn’t be so lonely during the day.”
    Shrugging out of his coat, Luke hung it on a peg as he ignored the guilt sinking in his gut. Gray eyes that reminded him so much of their mother’s flashed an admiration toward Luke that he knew he didn’t deserve. That, coupled with the look of censure firing from his housekeeper, nearly sent Luke back outside to join his friends at the tavern. Nothing like a drink to drown out the voices constantly berating his conscience.
    As if reading his mind, Mrs. Barnes ambled toward him, hooked her arm with his, and led him down the hall and into the dining room. “Now sit and talk with your brother while I bring in supper.”
    Leaning down, Luke planted a kiss on her wrinkled forehead and gave her a beguiling smile. “What would I do without you?”
    A red hue crept up her face as it