Keeper of My Dreams (St. John Series Book 4) Read Online Free Page B

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    Eli looked around the sitting room. Jacob, his twin, was in a heated discussion with the other set of twins, Oliver and Owen. No doubt they were arguing over the quality of the younger twin’s craftsmanship on the vessels. Jacob always critiqued their work like he was a master craftsman, when in truth Jacob couldn’t hit a nail on the head if it was the size of a carriage wheel. However, he was a first-rate captain and sailed on The Emerald Jewell , the pride of Emerald Shipping. He traveled the globe with Michael, the salesman, and fourth child of the St. John brood.
    Eli heard Matthew intervene in the argument. Eli shook his head. Matthew oversaw the London affairs of Emerald Shipping and was known for his fisticuffs. One thing all the brothers did not want to do was get into the ring with Matthew for they knew they would come out with broken bones. Matt was a skilled pugilist. His left was painful, but his right would kill a man. Eli had lost count of the number of times he was left lying on his arse after getting into the ring with his younger brother.
    Nathan and Noah were passing Alexandra between them. Her laughter filled the room. Nathan and Noah had taken after their older brother, Jacob, and became captains—Nathan of The Moonstone and Noah of The Diamond Runner . These two did not mind the long voyages to the Orient and were rarely home.
    Eli gave a half smile. One thing about it, all the St. John brothers resembled their father in height. Not one of them stood less than six feet tall. All were broad in shoulder and muscular. They were all an intimidating crew. Most had either dark brown or black hair except for Owen, Oliver and Madison. They took after their mother with red hair. But all had the same deep dimple to their left cheeks when they smiled, even Madison.
    “Mother!” Madison exclaimed as she raced over to the doorway and embraced the matriarch.
    “Madison, my dear,” Elizabeth stated as she returned her daughter’s affection. “Where is my granddaughter?”
    Her answer came as Alexandra gave a squeal of delight as Noah tossed her into the air and caught her.
    “Noah! Don’t you dare drop my grandchild!”
    “Hello to you, too, Mother,” Noah replied as he placed the redheaded toddler on the ground.
    “Gammy!” Alexandra yelled as she ran over to Elizabeth.
    Elizabeth knelt down and gave the child a hug. “Have your uncles been teaching you bad habits?”
    “Now, Elizabeth, you know our boys would never do such a thing,” Robert defended as he entered.
    “Pappy!” the child exclaimed as she raced over to him and wrapped her tiny arms around his legs.
    Robert bent down and picked up his only admitted grandchild—the meeting tonight would change this family. A strangled noise escaped him as the exuberant toddler wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. He returned her embrace—more gently. She smiled at him and placed a wet sloppy kiss on his face.
    Michael looked around the room. “Well, now that the entire family is present, mind telling us what the urgent meeting was all about?”
    Robert looked around the room and gave a weak smile. “Not yet. I have a couple of more guests to arrive and then we will begin.”
    Jacob looked around and then noticed Eli’s disgruntled look. “Egad, are you dying? If so, that means Eli is about to become Earl.”
    “Shut up, Jake,” Eli answered as he took a drink of his brandy. He looked at his father. “Why did you call us all here? And why not to your home?”
    “No, I am not dying, Jacob,” Robert replied with exasperation, knowing Jacob only said that because it would infuriate Eli. “My home is still under repair from the fire. The carpenters are working as fast as money will talk, but the family room is not repaired.”
    Eli nodded his head. There had been a squall several weeks ago. The winds and rain were torrential, but the lightning was worse. A bolt had struck his parents’ home and caught it ablaze. The only good