Read Online Captive Innocence by Fern Michaels - Free Book Online Page A

mid-deck that she had come across a ledger that her father had used for his personal journal. Leafing through the pages, she found the ledger opened to the last few entries: those written just before Richard Harding’s death.
    Melancholia brought stinging tears to her eyes, and she fought them back in an effort to read the neat, small script. Something caught her eye, some oddly worded phrase that she couldn’t comprehend. She then turned back to the preceding pages and scanned the lines. Nothing really, some mention of dates and appointments, a few others about a purchase of French wines for the cellars. Here:
    Heard from old Farleigh’s lawyer today. Suppose the old codger finally retired and began to remember his old friends. Still, if what he tells me he suspects is true, I shall have to alter my plans concerning Royall’s future. This will take prompt investigation.
    Then another entry, two weeks later:
    Morrison, Farleigh’s lawyer, seems to know what he is talking about. The evidence certainly would seem to point to that.... Still, I cannot believe Carlyle would be guilty of such action. It is not indicative of the young boy I once knew ... Am waiting to hear from Morrison again!
    Another entry, a month later:
    Yes, it is true. Carlyle has not abided by my wishes to comply with Princess Isabel’s Ventre Livre law, and I will not condone his actions. From recent correspondence with him and from other sources which have come to my attention, I tend to believe Morrison’s accusations. This is not all. From searching my memory, I seem to remember my dear friend complaining to me of his son. Something about the boy cruelly beating a slave to death. There was some talk of disinheriting the boy.
    And among the last entries:
    More and more I search the past; now I am quite convinced Carlyle was responsible. I must arrange for a major upheaval in my plans for Royall. I am going to dissolve my holdings in Reino Brazilia and let Carlyle Newsome be damned!
    Royall couldn’t understand what she had uncovered in the ledger, and it was too late to do anything about it anyway. She was already on her way to Reino Brazilia, Brazilian Kingdom. Richard Harding had died before he had had a chance to sell his share of the plantation. She pushed the chilling phrase that she had read in the ledger away from her thoughts. Father had always been overprotective; still, something was amiss.
    Rifling through her bandbox now to find a fresh length of ribbon, she came across the letter that Carlyle Newsome had sent her upon the news of her father’s death. She knew its flowery phrases by rote.
    My dear Royall,
    I am much saddened by the news of your husband’s death. I know his passing is a great burden to you. I can only offer you my sincerest condolences in your time of grief.
    Your father was a much valued business partner and greatly respected and honored by my father. I remember having met your father only once, when I was but a boy.
    This letter is to extend to you a warm invitation to the Reino Brazilia. It will be your home.
    Enclosed are sailing dates for ships leaving New England, also instructions for your travel.
    If you can arrange to book passage on the Victoria, you will have the pleasurable company of Mrs. Rosalie Quince, who is returning to Brazil. She will bring you as far as Reino Brazilia. Her own plantation is but ten miles from here.
    My sons, Carl and Jamie, extend their condolences and wish you a safe, speedy journey.
    My sincerest wishes,
Carlyle Newsome
    Coming back to the present, Royall found herself annoyed once again at Carlyle Newsome’s letter. It said all the right things, but what it didn’t say was that Royall now owned one half of Reino Brazilia. That what appeared generously offered hospitality was nothing more than her right to look into her investments. Pulling the brush through her hair, she scowled into the mirror. Enough of these dark thoughts. She would deal