Read Online Enter The Brethren (The Brethren of the Coast) by Barbara Devlin - Free Book Online

with being seen--not heard, was just the woman for him.
    At present, however, there was work to be finished.  Respite from the evening’s drama was found amid a stack of logs requiring entries.  Rolling up his sleeves, Trevor served himself a healthy portion of stew, sat at his desk, and opened the first ledger.
    Hours later, he consulted his timepiece and closed the last journal.  Plagued by a lack of concentration, it had taken him twice the usual effort to complete his tasks, and his distraction remained where she had been before, during, and after dinner, curled on her side, facing the wall, in his bunk.  Why had he not given her alternate accommodations?
    Caroline had not made a sound, had not moved an inch.  What was he supposed to do with her?  Well, if the ladybird expected an apology; that was not in his vocabulary.  Convinced tomorrow would see her set right, he turned out the lamps, undressed, and slid into bed.
    In the solitude of night, Trevor wondered what had possessed him to strike her?  She was correct in her assertion that he had no right to punish her, because she was a guest, albeit, one taken by force, aboard his ship.  Yet he had acted before he’d realized what he had done.  Why had he lost control?  Why had her jaunt among the ratlines sent him spiraling in panic?  It was a puzzle begging to be solved.
    But he would rather walk the plank.
    #
    A new day dawned, and Trevor found, much to his everlasting frustration, that Mistress Caroline could be every bit as stubborn as a man.
    “Morning, sweet.”  Determined to make amends, he waited on her, for a change, setting a tray loaded with covered dishes on the table.  “Breakfast is served.”
    A feminine sniff was her only response.
    Such intestinal fortitude should be confined to the male species.
    After inhaling a plate of fruit, bacon, and toast, he gathered his charts and glanced at her motionless form.  The damn difficult demirep was causing him no end of torment.  Then again, she was a woman.  Making a mental note to break for lunch, he decided he would coax her into eating that afternoon.
    But despite his good intentions, things did not work out as planned.  The winds picked up, and the sails needed to be reefed, so Trevor lunched with the first mate and the helmsman on the quarterdeck.  They discussed their current course and the time it would take to reach London.  Once they reached their destination, he would put the beautiful courtesan ashore and never see her again.
    “Cap’n, a word.”
    “Aye, George, what is it?”
    “I passed young Billy in the galley.”  The first mate scratched his head.  “He tells me yer lady hasn’t been eatin’.  She did not break her fast, and her noon meal went untouched as well.  Is she ill, Cap’n?”
    Trevor frowned.  If he let her, Mistress Caroline would be his downfall.  Lovely or not, the ladybird could not maintain her tack, and she had not eaten since the previous morning.  Why he cared he was not sure.
    “She is not ill, George, she is just being a woman.  Take over here, I am going below.”
    “Aye, Cap’n.”
    Had he the time, he would have taken issue with the broad smile on George’s face.  But he was determined to remain focused on the task at hand.  In his mind, he formed a suitable argument he was certain would bring the demirep around--until he found himself before the door to his quarters.
    Caroline was as predictable as the weather.
    Upon entering his cabin, Trevor noticed the lamps had not been lit.  It was a menial chore she had assumed and performed with unfailing efficiency.  A check of the bunk confirmed his suspicions.  The small female form hadn’t budged.  At the knock on the door, he flinched.  “Come.”
    “Cap’n, I have your dinner.”
    “Set it on the table and light the candles.  We will serve ourselves.”  Hell would freeze before Trevor allowed anyone to witness what he knew must be done.  “That will be all,