Read Online The Diamond King by PATRICIA POTTER - Free Book Online Page A

cabin for his log and for any instruments you think we can use.”
    “Aye, sir,” Claude said.
    Alex stood there, watching as his men rounded up the crew and isolated them on the bow. Then the passengers were brought on deck.
    There were ten in all, including three women. He identified the Campbell immediately by her dress. Though simple, its quality was evident. So was the way she held herself, even as she had an arm around another slender woman.
    One of the prisoners came up to him, blustering as the captain had about being an Englishman.
    “I would not brag about tha‘ in this company,” Alex said, deepening his Scottish burr. “There is no love for your kind on my ship.”
    His gaze did not move from the woman.
A Campbell
. She would bring a good ransom if he could bear the presence of her long enough to collect it.
    She was not a particularly comely lady. Or perhaps that was his prejudice speaking. She was slight and her light brown hair was untidy. Her face was unusually darkened by the sun, which meant she seldom wore a hat, but oddly enough she wore gloves up to her elbows despite short sleeves of a simple gown that had no hoops.
    Her eyes—a blue green, almost the color of the Caribbean sea—were her best feature. They were sparking with outrage.
    Well, he had his own outrage.
    “My lady,” he said in a mocking tone. “I understand I have the ... dubious honor of addressing a member of the Campbell clan.”
    She drew herself up to her full height, which was considerably less than his own. “I am Jeanette Campbell,” she said, her gaze sweeping over him with contemptuous dismissal. It did not hesitate on his scar, though, as the gazes of so many did.
    She had spirit, if little else.
    “Campbells are a plague upon Scotland,” he said, turning to the pale woman beside her. She was obviously suffering from mal de mer. She looked as though she could barely stand. “And this is ... ?”
    “Celia, my companion,” the Campbell woman said. “If you harm her, I’ll see you hang.”
    “My, but you are a bloodthirsty bunch,” he said. “ ‘Tis to be expected of a Campbell.”
    “And you are?” she asked with more courage than the others apparently had.
    He bowed. “Will Malfour at your service.” His mocking gesture belied his words. “Gather what possessions you wish to take. Only what you can carry. One of my men will go with you to collect them.”
    “What about the rest of my belongings?”
    “I’ll decide that later,” he said.
    “I’m not going anywhere without them,” she said.
    “Yes, you will. The question is whether you will go with something or with nothing,” he said, making his voice harsh. “My men are more than capable of bringing you over.”
    She blanched. “Why can I not stay on
this
ship? What are you going to do with it?”
    “It will be sold. With all contents.” The warning was clear. “All prisoners will be on my ship where they can be watched. I want a minimum crew on the
Charlotte
,” he said, “though I don’t believe it necessary to make any explanations. That, my lady, will be my last one.”
    Her face darkened with anger. She wanted to retort. Alex could see that. He watched the struggle in her face before she composed herself.
    He looked toward two of his sailors. “Go with her.”
    She stared at him defiantly. “Where are you taking us?”
    “Martinique.”
    “I am expected in Barbados.”
    “So, I imagine, is your good captain. Unfortunately both of you will be disappointed.”
    “But I must get there.”
    “And why is that, my lady?”
    “I am to be married. My betrothed—”
    “Your betrothed will have to wait,” Alex said. At least
she
had the opportunity for marriage. The English had ensured that he would not.
    He turned around as if she no longer existed for him. “Start transferring the prisoners,” he said. “The crew first.”
    Out of the corner of his left eye, though, he saw her take her companion’s hand in hers and disappear