The Pirate and the Puritan Read Online Free PDF

against the beach below.
    He straightened, then made a
great show of trying to catch a glimpse of her face. “What did you promise your
father?”
    Felicity ignored his efforts. “To
behave.”
    “I make you misbehave? Mmm, I
like that.” His tone assured her a wicked smile still tugged at his mouth.
    She turned to him, her arms
wrapped protectively in front of her. “The only thing you do is disgust me. My
father was referring to any comments I might make about the Linleys’ slaves. I
abhor slavery, as any God-fearing soul should.”
    “That leaves me out.”
    “My thoughts exactly.”
    His grin showed he found her
denunciation of his character amusing. “You’ve also thrown every white
inhabitant of Barbados among the soulless. You won’t be popular.”
    “I know that. I don’t want my
father’s interests hurt, but slavery’s not right. Our own Samuel Sewall, a
prominent Puritan,” she added, sure he had no knowledge of her faith’s great
scholars, “published a pamphlet on the inherent sinfulness of slavery. Perhaps
I should locate a copy for you.”
    “Oh, do.” He leaned in closer,
and she suspected he was testing to see if she would move away. “I must say,
I’m relieved to know you have another monster to slay besides me.”
    She tilted her chin to meet his
gaze. When she’d walked out on the terrace, she’d been surprised by his dress
and she’d checked his footwear long enough to see he didn’t wear high heels.
“You shall be my first. I’ve made you a priority.”
    “Then move closer and let’s get
on with it. I promise not to sink my fangs in your soft white skin.”
    To prove to him that she could,
she closed the distance between them until they were as close as the lovers on
the opposite end of the terrace. Her promise to her father had included
avoiding an incident with Drew as well as espousing her opinions on slavery.
The aristocrat’s behavior with Mistress Linley proved he relished public
spectacles, and she’d not give him another one by scolding him in front of the
other guests.
    “Don’t waste your time saving
Samantha.” When he spoke, she felt the warmth of his breath on her cheek. “I’ve
already seduced her. You can move on to the next of my sins.”
    “As you have, I’ve no doubt.” She
wanted to flinch at his callousness but refused to show any signs his words
disturbed her beyond anger. “I find your behavior cruel and despicable. Do you
think of women only in terms of seduction?”
    “Usually, but since you’re Ben’s
daughter I was going to let you go unravished. Unless you’d rather I not. If
that’s the case, you should call me Christian.”
    “I certainly will not call you by
that name. It’s blasphemous. Your mother must regret choosing something so
inappropriate.”
    The masculine scent of musk and
brandy battled the strangling smell of roses. His choice of cologne didn’t
disguise his smoldering aggression any better than his velvet suit.
    “ ‘Felicity,’ ” he said. “I
believe that means great happiness. From what I know of you, your name doesn’t
seem to fit you either.”
    She stared at the shadowed waves
disturbing the black surface of the sea, refusing to let him know how close his
jabs came to the truth. He must be the devil himself to be so handsome, yet
possess such an ungodly soul.
    “I didn’t stay out here to trade
insults with you,” she countered. “I came to warn you. I’ve discovered your
secret.” Her bluff aimed at penetrating his armor as his teasing did hers. His
silence gave her the courage to turn and look at him.
    He studied her openly. “I love
secrets. Tell me what you think mine is.”
    Unfortunately, she’d discovered
nothing amiss in the records of the New England Trading Company. According to
her father, Lord Christian’s family influence in England had saved the small
company from bankruptcy. Everyone knew that without a champion in the right
circles, gaining a royal charter to trade was