The Treasure Hunters Read Online Free PDF Page B

herself a religious person. Her father had raised her to question
doctrine, to view the world as a scientist saw it, but right now she put
everything she had into praying that they weren’t caught. In the next second,
the footsteps abruptly turned and began to fade and Ruby wondered if perhaps
her father wasn’t looking out for her now. Relief poured through her and before
anything else could arise, she grabbed Merridie’s hand, and she in turn grabbed
Eden’s, and they made their way out the door.
    Sticking to the shadows, Ruby
thanked the heavy fog that helped obscure them as they hurried to berth number
eleven. A beautiful forty-foot schooner was anchored, made of mahogany planking
that no doubt lay over a steel frame. The ship appeared polished and clean, her
ropes new.   Ruby saw the love and care in
the small details and knew that the owner took great care of his boat.
    “What do we do?” Eden asked.
    Ruby looked at them before taking a
deep breath. This was it. She walked over to the plank that led the way onto
the deck.
    “We find the captain,” she said.
    As she reached the top deck, a man
suddenly appeared and Ruby reacted without thinking about it since her nerves
were already strung tight. She leaned over, grabbed a wooden rope spoke and
swung her arm. The attack caught the man unguarded in the head, dropping him
onto his back. Another man, a big beefy black man, melted from the darkness to
come at them.
    “Hold it!” Ruby cried, wielding the
spoke. “Wait! We just want to talk to the captain!”
    The injured man pushed to sit up. He
held a hand to the back of his head. “Well, as soon as my head clears I’ll be
happy to talk. Jesus!”
    Mortification swept through her. Great. Just great. The black man
walked over to the captain and helped him to stand. Fog covered the moon,
casting an eerie glow upon them. Ruby couldn’t see the captain’s face, so she
didn’t know how upset he was with her. She could only hope he gave them a
chance to talk.
    “What the hell are you doing on my
boat?” he demanded. His British accent was deep and smooth, and it sent shivers
racing over her skin.
    “We want to hire you.”
    “Excuse me?”
    “We need to leave England and we
have a business proposition for you.”
    The captain studied her, and
although she couldn’t make out his features, his forceful appraisal had her
belly clenching. Finally, he nodded at the black man, who then
      disappeared once more,
back into the foggy midnight. The captain waved them to follow him and he led
them into the galley. He lit a match and lit two lanterns, and that’s when Ruby
got her first glimpse of him.
    She was vaguely aware her mouth dropped
open. Before her wasn’t the typical scruffy-bearded, dirty boat captain. This
man was young. And handsome. More butterflies
fluttered in her stomach. He had short black hair that looked like he’d been
running his fingers through it in aggravation. He needed a shave, but Ruby
rather thought his slight whiskers enhanced his looks rather than detracted. Although
he looked tough, he had kind eyes––blue maybe, or green. It was hard to tell in
the muted lantern light. He was tall, muscular, and when their gazes met her
heart stuttered in her chest.
    “My name is Sin,” he said,
introducing himself, although his gaze stayed locked upon her.
    “Literally or
figuratively?” Merridie asked dryly.
    He winked at her. “Captain Sinclair Dardon . Who are you, and how may I help you?”
    “I’m Ruby Talcott, and that’s
Merridie Morgan and Eden Cariker . We need passage to
Africa,” Ruby said, ignoring the odd excitement gripping her insides. Now was
not the time to get distracted by a pretty face. Oh, but that was easier said
than done, especially once he turned those hypnotizing eyes back her way.
    “Why do you think I can help?”
    “The registry office has you listed
as heading to Africa this morning. We just need a ride.”
    “I’m not a passenger ship.”
    “We