The Baron's Bounty Read Online Free PDF Page A

his blood.
    “Well, it’s obvious there’s naught you can do, so just leave it.” Nicholas surveyed the situation and shook his head. “If you risk your fool neck going after them, you could lose your own ship in the process as well as your men.” He headed down the forecastle stairs. “Come, Conlin, John is waiting for us at the pub. I could go for an ale and a warm fire to dry my clothes.”
    “Nay. You go, Romney. And take care of Rose if . . . if I don’t make it back.”
    “What?” Nicholas spun on his heel and looked up to Conlin shaking his head. “Nay! You’re not really going to be daft enough to take your ship out in this storm.”
    “I don’t have a choice,” he said in a low voice. “She’s my betrothed.”
    “Your ship will be torn to pieces in this squall. Don’t be a fool, Sandwich.”
    Conlin felt a nerve tick in his jaw. He knew what his friend said was a possibility, but he didn’t like him pointing it out. His heart told him to forget about the shrew and go back to his daughter instead. But his head told him it was his duty as a knight and as the betrothed of the wench that he do everything in his power to try to help her.
    “Get off the ship, Romney, or I swear I’ll push you overboard myself,” he warned his friend.
    “I’ve got a wife and children to think about, Conlin, or I’d volunteer to go on this crazy venture with you. You know I always have your back.” Nicholas hesitated, and Conlin could see the turmoil of his decision. He didn’t blame his friend at all. He had naught to gain by coming with but everything to lose.
    “Go,” Conlin told him with a wave of his hand. “I understand. I won’t ask you to come with since there’s a good chance we won’t return. Go back to Muriel and the babies where you belong.”
    Nicholas just stood there for a moment, and then gritted his teeth and shook his head. “By the rood, you know I want to come with you.”
    “Get out of here and stop slowing me down.” Conlin decided he wouldn’t take Nicholas along even if he did change his mind. Things were different now that the man was married and was also a new father. Conlin wouldn’t be responsible for making his wife a widow at such a young age.
    “Godspeed, good friend.” Nicholas hurried down the boarding plank and headed toward shore. Conlin watched him head toward the pub, and was glad to know he’d be returning to his family. He thought about Rose. God-willing he’d return, and be heading back to her as well. But right now his betrothed was in danger, and he would not sit back and just watch her ship go down in the storm.
    He had to hurry before it was too late. It’d be hell to get his ship out to sea in this weather, but he’d sailed in bad weather before and knew what he was doing. He would only take a small crew with him – those he could count on. Just enough men to bring his ship safely through the storm.
    “Are we really going after the ship in the storm?” His squire had a look of terror mixed with excitement spread across his face. He was twenty years of age, and had more than once come close to earning the right to be made a knight. If he proved his worth in this endeavor, Conlin would sincerely consider dubbing him a knight sometime in the next year or so.
    “Aye. We’re going after the ship.” Conlin hurried down the stairs and called to his First Mate. “Shadwell, make sure we’ve got a crew of at least a half dozen men who are experienced in rough waters, and then pull up the boarding plank. Ready the sails and check the lines, and prepare to cast off.”
    “I have the men you need, my lord.” Shadwell pointed out the ones who would come with, and waved the others off the ship.
    “Good.” Conlin nodded, and looked up to the mast. His ship, The Lady Bellicose was just like her name – a real fighter, always ready for war against man or nature. He loved this ship and only hoped she was ornery enough to ride out the storm.
    “Let’s get