Love's Abyss (St. John Series) Read Online Free

narrow, pointy nose. Her eyes were a lifeless gray color, and she kept her lips drawn tight, almost like a child refusing to take their medicine. Come to think of it, Madison never remembered Ruby ever smiling or laughing. It must be awful to be so emotionless all the time. Her strict demeanor is why Robert and Elizabeth chose her to be Madison’s “tutor”—to ‘straighten Madison out’ was their exact reasoning. Being the youngest child, as well as the only girl of nine children, she was rather tomboyish in her ways. She merely had boys to play with, so rough-housing, climbing trees, sword fighting and riding astride were part of how she grew up. This was fine when she was a child, but once puberty made itself known, her parents began to worry. They asked for help, and Ruby answered the call.
    “Come in, Ruby,” Elizabeth replied as she watched the woman march in the door, straight to the bed.
    As she approached, Ruby looked down her pointy nose at Madison. “You have a gentleman caller.”
    “Andrew?” questioned Madison eagerly.
    “Yes,” Ruby dryly replied, a disapproving expression on her face. “Tis not proper to have an unplanned visit,” she complained.
    “Tell him I’ll be right down!” Madison said excitedly. She quickly hopped out of bed, only to sit down again quickly as a wave of dizziness came over her.
    “I don’t think that would be a good idea, Miss,” stated Ruby rather sternly.
    “Oh, pigge pogge,” retorted Madison in her usual made-up sayings. “I’m fit as a fiddle, just a tired one. Ruby, please tell Andrew I’ll be down momentarily.”
    Madison pulled on her breakfast robe and carefully descended the staircase. There at the bottom was Andrew. Oh, he is sooo handsome. He was dressed in his naval uniform. The form-fitting navy jacket was adorned with the gold leaflets. His tight white trousers were tucked into the top of his highly polished knee-high black boots. His hat was tucked beneath his left arm to allow the long white feather to protrude towards the back.
    “Ah, the most beautiful woman in Governor’s Harbour,” exclaimed Andrew, all the while gazing upon her breasts as she descended the staircase. He was glad he had to look up to see her; otherwise she would know exactly where he was looking.
    Madison stopped a few feet away and smiled. “I don’t want to get too close. You might get sick.”
    “I had to check on my fiancée. I just needed to see your beautiful smile before I set sail.”
    “You’re leaving?” questioned Madison sadly. “What about our trip?”
    “Ah, my darling, don’t fret. I just have to travel around the bend to Andros Island,” he lied. “There’s been a report of a suspicious vessel. I’ll be back before we travel down port.”
    He took a step towards the striking red head.
    “Stop right there, Andrew. I won’t have you getting sick.” She held up her hand, her long delicate fingers pointing upward. She pressed her lips to her palm and blew a kiss in the direction of the charming Commodore. “That’s all you’ll get from me today.”
    He threw his hand up in the air as to catch the kiss and brought it down to his heart. “Then I’ll guess it will have to do, my love,” he replied, all the while thinking about the pleasures that awaited him in the taverns of Port Royal. He gave a bow. “I’ll be back in a little over a week.”
    He turned towards Ruby and Elizabeth.
    “Ladies, please take great care of my lovely bride-to-be.”
    “Oh, Commodore McClain,” stated Elizabeth. “You know we will. She will be better by your return.”
    “I know you will,” he agreed with a smile. “Good day, ladies.” He gave a quick wink to Madison, turned, and walked out the door. There would be plenty of time to play the faithful, devoted husband.  Currently, there was erotic, risqué female company to be had in the taverns of Port Royal.

Chapter Three
     
    Grimm’s Tavern was a musty, dark place located in Port Royal. The