Read Online Hart's Desire (Pirates & Petticoats Book 1) by Chloe Flowers - Free Book Online Page A

in her chair. “Tell me, Captain Hart. Do you often have to deal with pirates in your travels?”
    Thankfully, Landon turned his attention to her aunt. “Occasionally, yes, we have to be diligent to keep watch for pirates as well as privateers. This last encounter had been with a particular group, which crossed our path in the past.” The steely tone in Captain Hart’s voice made Keelan pause in mid-sip.
      “I’m ready to return and give those pirates their due,” Conal growled, ripping off a chunk of scone. “The cannon shot that blew away the mizzen topsail and yardarm of my uncle’s ship sent splinters and shards raining down on the crew. May those pirates rot in hell. Beggin’ your pardons Mrs. Grey, Miss Grey.” He nodded his apology to Keelan and her aunt.
    Landon lowered his voice before he spoke, “Conal’s Uncle Fynn captained the third ship in our small fleet. The falling mast killed him.” Landon’s head dropped slightly, and he spent a moment moving a bit of hash around on his plate.  
    Dr. Garrison interrupted, his words sounding sharper than usual, “’Tis a cruel end to meet. I, too, have lost family to the sea. You have my sympathies, sir.”
    The doctor’s comment attracted Keelan’s attention. It was curious Dr. Garrison had never mentioned that before. Perhaps that’s why she’d seen him staring vacantly at the wooden model of Papa’s ship which sat on the desk in the study. Maybe he’d been thinking of loved ones lost at sea.
    She nodded her thanks to Simon, Ruth’s husband, as he refilled her cup. She reached for the cream. Normally, she preferred her tea without the cream’s cooling effect, but the warmer spring temperatures in South Carolina demanded she adjust her preferences. She’d adapted to drinking tea at a more tepid temperature.
    Hart continued, “Fynn took me in hand when I had nothing and taught me everything I know about the sea. His loss has weighed heavily upon us.”
    “You have our sincerest condolences, gentlemen,” Uncle Jared said, laying down his fork.  
    “Thank you, sir,” Landon responded.  
    Conal leaned forward. “The main reason we accepted cargo bound for Charleston was to give my uncle an opportunity to meet with the commodore. We’d hoped Commodore Grey knew of my uncle or why he desired a meeting, but the commodore didn’t recall ever meeting Fynn when we spoke to him this morning.”
    Uncle Jared’s face froze. He shook his head as if it was on a wooden post. “Fynn Ahern… I don’t recognize the name either.” He picked up his fork again, speared a piece of ham, and went to work cutting it into small squares, keeping his head down as he sawed through his meat.
    Conal gave a slight shrug but watched Uncle Jared closely. “Uncle Fynn seemed eager to speak with Commodore Grey, although he wouldn’t say why, other than he wanted to be certain of his facts before he divulged his theories. Whatever he meant by that, I’ll never know.”
    Her uncle’s shoulders tightened. Was he wondering if Conal’s uncle had sought her father because of the sinking of that passenger ship? Had Fynn Ahern lost a loved one? Had he tracked down Commodore Grey for retribution?  
    “I’m sorry for your loss, Mr. O'Brien,” Aunt Sarah said. “I beg your forgiveness at the indelicate nature of my earlier question.”
    “No apology necessary, Mrs. Grey,” Conal said. “Were it not for the skills of Captain Hart, none of us would have escaped those pirates’ greedy claws at all.”
    Hart shook his head in humble disagreement as he reached for his napkin. “It’s the speed of the Desire that saved our skins, Conal. That and a crew who knows every breath she takes.”
    “Aye to that,” Conal responded, slapping his thigh. “Would that I could find a lass who handles as well, I’d marry her and leave the sea forever!” His laughter spread, and she had to admire the way he set aside his pain to lighten the mood.  
    Captain Hart continued.