The Pirate and the Puritan Read Online Free PDF Page B

impossible. And without a
charter, one would be considered no more than a common criminal—or worse, a
pirate.
    The figures confirmed that the
beleaguered New England Trading Company was finally in the black, but Felicity
speculated on the method. Her instincts told her Christian Andrews was not the
son of a duke, much less an honest merchant. The thought that her father might
have unwittingly become a front for someone’s illicit activities forced
Felicity’s hand. She latched on to the one curious notation in the ledgers.
    “General goods.” she said and
waited for his reaction.
    He grinned. “Shocking.”
    “There’s more.” When the smirk
spread to his eyes, she grew more determined to wipe it from his face. Her
suspicions were vague and unsubstantiated, but she had no other clue.
    “Go on, Felicity. Tell me what
goes on inside that head of yours.”
    “Master Marley meticulously
recorded all the exports from the island. Only the imports are marked general
goods.
    Whatever the items are, they
bring more money than even sugar.”
    The amused sparkle in his eyes
dulled, but he still showed his teeth. “Providing valuable merchandise isn’t a
sin. The transplanted English like their luxury goods, and sugar gives them
money to buy whatever they desire.”
    “Whether or not it’s a sin depends
on what those goods are and where they came from.”
    His smile faded. “I have nothing
to do with the ledgers. Marley labeled the merchandise as he saw fit.”
    His reaction turned Felicity’s
speculation into certainty. “No? But I believe we both know what ‘general
goods’ is politely hiding.”
    The cool mask he wore on their
first meeting returned. He would reveal nothing else until provoked.
    She sensed her tactic’s success
and guessed wildly. “Slavery.”
    “What?” He moved away from the
wall.
    “I believe you’re dealing in
slaves and using ‘general goods’ to hide your horrid deeds from my father.”
    Her confidence sagged with his
laughter. “I see. I am evil...and clever, too. Did I fool Marley, or was he
involved as well?”
    “I don’t know the details.”
    “Have you told Ben of your
discovery?”
    “No, and I don’t want you to say
anything to him. Knowing that his ships promoted slavery would hurt him deeply.
I’ll be satisfied if you leave Barbados and never bother my father again.”
    “Slavery is not illegal.”
    “It should be. It’s immoral, and
immorality is something at which you excel. My guess is, you’re an expert at
using other human beings for your own self-interests.”
    All traces of humor evaporated
from his face. “Why do you hate me?” he asked.
    “Because you’re manipulating my
father. You’re hiding behind your fancy clothes and powdered wig. I don’t know
why, but I’ll find out.”
    “And what are you hiding from?
You have a luscious mouth, but all you use it for is to screech like a shrew.
Unbind your hair and smile, and you could be beautiful. Why aren’t you married?
Would none of your Puritan men let you be on top? I would.”
    She suspected he wanted to shock
her, but his lusty innuendo was nothing but a cruel quip at her expense. “I
prefer men who smell less like a rosebush and more like a man. You can stop
trying to sway me with your sexual prowess. I find you revolting. Leave
Barbados before I expose you for the fraud you are.”
    When she turned to leave, he
grabbed her elbow.
    “I’m afraid I can’t do that,
Felicity. Someone has taken a dislike to the owners of the New England Trading
Company. If I don’t discover the identity of Marley’s killer, who knows who
might be next?”
    She yanked her arm away, but
instead of leaving, she stood toe-to-toe with him. “Are you threatening me?”
    He squared his shoulders like a
bull ready to charge. “I’m stating a fact.”
    “The Linleys’ guests seem to
think a pirate called El Diablo killed Marley and his wife. Perhaps
you’ve come to another conclusion because you were involved