Read Online The Wild Belle by Lora Thomas - Free Book Online Page A

to those of the Caribbean.”
    “Are there really pirates still down there?”
    “Yes, but not like it used to be. My sister was even abducted by the same one, twice .”
    “Really?!”
    “Yes, weeks apart. But her husband killed the man. He was a thorn in Emerald Shipping’s side. I can’t tell you how thrilled we were to learn that Alexander Xavier had been killed.”
    Stephen looked wide-eyed at Michael. “You have an interesting family history, Michael.”
    “You have no idea,” Michael replied drily as he dismounted from Ghost. He tied his horse to the post outside the damaged tavern and followed Stephen inside.
    When Michael and Stephen entered the building, there was a round of “Hellos” from the patrons inside. Apparently, Stephen frequented this establishment regularly. Michael studied the inside of the tavern. The scent of moldy wood caused Michael to glance upward. He could make out the patchwork of new wood over the damaged roof. However, there were still several small holes. Buckets were scattered about on the floor to catch any water that should enter through the holes in the roof. To the right was a set of stairs leading to the rooms over the bar that were so important to any tavern. Several barmaids scurried down the rickety stairs at that time. Some sashayed to the bar while others greeted the patrons inside. There was a squeal of delight and then a crash as one of the makeshift tables fell over. Most of the tables were just boards lying on top of sawhorses, while others were barstools covered in brown tablecloths. Other than those minor issues, the establishment appeared clean.
    They made their way to the bar. The man behind the bar placed two glasses in front of the men and poured them both a shot of whiskey. “For the groom-to-be,” the man said as he laughed. “I’ll have a case in the back for after the wedding. Lord knows with Miss Mandy as a mother-in-law, you’ll need it.”
    There was an astounding agreement though the entire tavern. Michael watched the bartender study him. The man behind the bar had a full head of bluish-gray hair and a matching beard that rested on his chest. He was much shorter than average. His blue eyes had faded with time, but there was humor in them.
    “Who’s this?” the man asked Stephen.
    “Oh,” Stephen replied, downing the amber liquid. He motioned towards his glass again. “Colonel, may I introduce Michael St. John. His family owns a shipping company, and he is here to set up a trade route for our fine cotton.”
    “Is that so?” the Colonel asked and rubbed his long gray beard. He poured another shot of whiskey into Stephen’s glass. “So he’s staying with you?”
    Stephen downed the beverage. “Heavens, no,” Stephen replied as he motioned towards his glass for another refill. “You know my mother appalls company of any sort. No, he’s staying with—get ready for this—the Craycrafts.”
    “The hell he is?” the Colonel questioned. Red looked like his eyes were about to pop out of his head and began looking Michael up and down.
    “Is that a problem?” Michael asked, his eyes lowering to slits.
    The Colonel held up his hands in a friendly gesture. “Not trying to insult you, mister, but I wouldn’t stay in that house if every one of those women had on chastity belts and I was a peckerless eunuch. No, sir, Miss Mandy would castrate anyone looking ‘inappropriately’ towards any of her girls. Hell, I’m surprised she hasn’t killed this young cockerel here yet,” he said as he gestured his thumb towards Stephen.
    “My family’s reputation makes me . . . me . . . well, damn it all, you know my father is a preacher.”
    “Yeah, and look where yer sittin’,” the Colonel said and laughed. “I believe you spent more money on my girls than your mama does on dresses.”
    “I do say, that was when I was younger. I haven’t touched a single one since I stated courting Abigail.”
    “Younger?! Hell, yer only