The Pirate Lord: Aristocrat. Rogue. Spy. by Catherine Lloyd

Author:Catherine Lloyd [Lloyd, Catherine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Writewood Creations
Published: 2017-05-25T05:00:00+00:00

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JON SLAPPED his thigh and with a sudden move of decision, opened the cabin door to break the news to Hawkins and his second mate, Mr. Frame. They stood behind the map table, charting their approach and the quickest possible escape route.

“There has been a change of plan, gentlemen. Lady Gage will not be given in exchange as a hostage. I mean to take her with me to America if she’ll have me.”

“America!” Hawkins’s mouth gaped open.

“You heard me.” Jon twisted and paced, feeling half out of his wits. Seeing her just now had blown his plans to pieces. His head was all over the place. “We’ll send word to Treacher that she is aboard the Black. When he is close enough, Hawkins will board the Dauntless, secure the captain and take the gold. Lady Gage will stay with us. We’ll divide the gold among the crew and set course for America. The men can find work on the privateers from Bermuda if they desire. Good, fast ships, I hear there are fortunes to be made in those waters. As for me, I have to give up the life or give up the lady. I’ve made my choice.”

“Why this one!” Bill cried out explosively. “Why this one and not any of the others you’ve bedded? She has bewitched you from the first and you are too stubborn to admit it! Will you abandon the Black Adder, her crew and everything we’ve fought to build for a bit of pussy? Make her your mistress—I’ve no objection. Set her up in a nice house in Cornwall and visit her whenever you like—but do not throw over the life you have now, Jon Stag!”

“This life will end in death at sea or at the end of a rope and you and I both know it. It was a risk I was willing to take once. Not anymore.”

Jon examined the charts, thinking through the new plan. “The attack will be conducted without bloodshed if at all possible. If any man gives you trouble, set him down instantly. Send a message: no man will be harmed if they cooperate. The gold will allow each man who served the Black to retire in style, including you, Billy. We’ve had a good run. I will not press our luck.”

“It won’t work!” Billy protested. “D’ye reckon Treacher is just going to stand aside and let us carry off his gold? He’ll want to see the girl safely aboard the Dauntless first.”

“I’m afraid I have to agree, Jon,” said Frame. “We’ll lose our bargaining power without the lady. We have to use our cannons or Lady Gage to board that ship. There’s no other way.”

Jon slammed his fist on the table. “Then find another way for she will not be left behind! I cannot be without her,” he said tightly. “Any life that does not include her is not a life I care to live. I’m in love with her.”

“Love!” Bill fairly exploded. His grizzled old face purpled. “How

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