Read Online Captive Embraces by Fern Michaels - Free Book Online Page B

used.
    â€œSirena, nothing is impossible for those who have money. Here in Holland divorce is not unusual. A little greasing of the palms to facilitate the necessary paperwork and a handsome stipend to the clergy and a Royal marriage can be nullified.”
    â€œWhat else did your father say when you spoke with him?” Sirena’s voice was just a shade above a whisper, her hands rested in her lap, palms up, fingers still, in a humble facsimile of supplication.
    â€œI’m ashamed to admit it, Sirena, but I behaved like a child. I ran from the room and refused to speak with him again. Sirena, I don’t care what he does any longer. As far as I’m concerned, he has no son. I don’t want him for my father.
    â€œSirena,” he asked anxiously. “What are you going to do?” He had noticed her green eyes turn dark and dangerous.
    â€œHow many days until the term is over?”
    â€œTen.”
    â€œDo you want me to remain in port and wait for you and then we’ll look into this matter together?”
    â€œI’ll leave with you right now.”
    â€œPerhaps you can. Let us speak to the headmaster and see what he says. If he’s agreeable, then we will leave this place of little sunshine.”
    Caleb noted that each word she spoke was slow and precise, her emotions under control. Only her eyes indicated what was going on inside her and, from the sparks shooting in their depths, her emotions were murderous. Upon confrontation, the headmaster was more than amiable to their plans. Caleb had been a constant source of irritation ever since he had arrived. What could he possibly learn in ten days that would be worth the rascal’s impatience and aggravating manners.
    â€œI’ll wait outdoors, Caleb. Hurry and pack your belongings.”
    Away from Caleb’s scrutiny, Sirena relaxed, her emerald eyes narrowed in thought. Divorce me! Take my money, will he? Not as long as I live! No, that wasn’t right. Not as long as he lived. Whoring bastard! Soon as her back was turned, he leaps into bed with another. He was no better than a wild, blood sucking pig! Spend my money on some other woman, will he?
    She slammed her fists into her sides. “I knew I should have killed him when I had the chance. Divorce me! Dirty Dutchman!”
    He would pay for this, she thought as she let her gaze focus on the canal and the shimmering water. She would brand him with two large S’s. One on his buttocks and one on his chest. She’d fix him. “You’ll never live to spend money,” she cursed. She’d send his branded body back to those damnable nutmeg trees she had nearly broken her back planting for him. And this was the thanks she received. “I’ll brand an S on his forehead, too,” she said viciously as she kicked out at the iron bench beside her. She winced with pain. Leave me to die on that godforsaken island, will you? Well, I’m here now! And if you’re not ready for me, it would behoove you to get ready. I’m ready to fight! For you, Regan, she sobbed inwardly. I’ll fight for you, to get you back. I won’t let you go, Regan, I can’t! I love you.

Chapter Five
    The red gold of the setting sun was hidden by the heavy, gray clouds which hung over the wharves. Long shadows were forming into a haze, obscuring the topmost sails of the tall ships which lined the waterfront. Here and there, the yellow gold of a lantern dotted the buildings and illuminated the oily windows of the merchants’ shops crowding the docks.
    Jacobus and the Rana ’s crew stood at the rail watching Sirena and Caleb climb from the carriage which had brought them from the academy. Sirena’s green eyes were flashing angrily and the delicate line of her jaw was grim and determined. Even from this distance, Jacobus could see something was wrong.
    Caleb was taking long strides to match her furious pace. Caleb. The boy was now a man, forged in his