The Baron's Bounty Read Online Free PDF

moving. We’ve got a ship full of people to save,” he called out to his crew. “And by God, I will not turn this vessel around and head back to shore until we secure my betrothed and her dowry as well. Do you all understand?”
    “Aye, captain,” shouted one man.
    “We’re with you til the end, Baron,” said another.
    Several more affirmations assured Conlin he had the right crew to do the unthinkable task of taking a ship out to sea in the middle of a storm.
    “Shrew or not, I won’t let you die,” Conlin said under his breath, and made his way to the stern to commandeer his ship and crew on a dangerous and ruthless mission. “Take good care of Rose, Nicholas,” he whispered, looking over his shoulder to the shore to see Nicholas making his way quickly toward the pub. His heart already ached, knowing the danger of this mission, and that there was a good chance he may never see his daughter again. But he’d made a decision and he would stick to it. “Cast off!” He called out into the punishing winds, hoping he could make it to his betrothed’s ship before it went down in the storm and he lost another wife – this time before he’d even met her.
     
    * * *
     
    The previously sunny day took a quick turn for the worst as the winds picked up and rain pelted down, soaking everyone aboard the ship sailing from Scotland to England. Isobel found herself once again doing Catherine’s bidding because of a pair of shoes. She held onto the sidewall of the ship for dear life as the captain and his crew rushed about the deck trying desperately to shorten the sails. But lowering the sails was not an easy task, even in good weather. It took time – time they didn’t have with the storm that blew in from nowhere.
    “Shorten the sails,” the captain shouted at the top of lungs to his crew. The canvas sails filled with air, pushing the ship dangerously fast across the waters. The crew took hold of the lines, but the tension was so taut that one of the lines snapped, whipping around them dangerously in the wind. The men ducked as the line struck out like an adder looking for its prey. The corner of the main sail whipped in the wind, tattering and causing more trouble. The loose line flipped upward and tangled with the others, hindering any progress of their task.
    “She’s stuck, Captain,” called the crewsman. “We canna lower the sail with the lines tangled.”
    “Then get them untangled, and fast!” The captain shouted the order. Waves slapped at the high sides of the ship, and water sloshed onto the deck, adding to the discomfort of the rain slicing down like arrows from the sky.
    The ship listed and a loose barrel rolled across the deck directly toward Isobel. She barely managed to dart out of its path, only thankful she hadn’t been hit. She grabbed onto the centerboard at the end of the sterncastle, and held on tightly.
    The ship moved even faster across the punishing waters, and several brave sailors climbed the rigging to get to the yardarm to try to lower the sail by hand. They pulled at the already taut lines, and shouted out as the rope burned against their hands. Isobel watched as the ship tilted so far to the side she swore the main mast almost touched the water. One of the crewmembers lost his grip and screamed as he fell and was swallowed up by the dark waters below.”
    “He’s fallen,” she cried out, making her way carefully to the side of the ship, trying to see him. “Elliot, someone’s got to save him!” She looked to her guard who was serving as her escort on this journey. Elliot made his way over to join her, holding onto everything along the way in order to keep his balance. He was a guard and good with a weapon, but worthless when it came to sailing. He looked down into the waters, but neither of them could spot the man.
    “Lady Isobel, get below deck afore ye’re thrown into the sea as well.” He grabbed her arm and tried to move her, but she pulled back to look out over the