Sea of Desire Read Online Free

shook his head at Alfred’s silent offering
of wine. “And I am not a spy, simply a courier.” And an unwilling
one at that, Jared added to himself.
    Alfred brushed the difference aside with a
wave of his hand, spilling amber liquid on his already stained
waistcoat in the process. He didn’t seem to notice the mishap, and
Jared sighed in frustration. His Lordship was obviously
skunked.
    Jared moved closer to the chair where Alfred
sprawled. “If you will give me the information, or tell me where I
can find it, I’ll give you the money and take my leave.” Waiting
out the storm in the cave off the beach seemed preferable to this.
Then he could leave at first light to reboard his ship. The longer
the Carolina stood anchored off shore, the greater the
chance of being spotted by a British cruiser. For tonight, with the
rain still lashing and the thunder booming, his ship was safe
enough, but come tomorrow...
    “I’ve always admired you colonials. Did you
know that?” Alfred’s words were slurred, and he completely ignored
Jared’s suggestion that they move forward with the transfer. “I
even spoke in Parliament once about giving in to some of your
demands. Not too vehemently, you understand. It wasn’t a popular
sentiment. But I for one was distressed with the onset of this
war.” He paused long enough to upend his glass. “Nasty business,
war. Of course, you have no chance of winning this one, but still I
hate to—”
    “The name, Lord Alfred! I need the name.”
    His eyes owlish, Alfred stared up at Jared.
The younger man was losing patience, and it didn’t help when Alfred
began laughing uncontrollably.
    “Don’t have it. I—”
    “Damn your bloody hide.” Jared grabbed Alfred
by the front of his waistcoat and hauled him up. “You said—”
    “Not me. Merideth,” Alfred sputtered. “Too
dangerous for me to keep, but no one would suspect Merry. She has
the name.”
    Jared’s fingers loosened and Alfred sank
bonelessly into the chair. Hell, he should have discussed this with
the daughter from the beginning. So much for his assumption of her
innocence. Blue eyes and an angel face did not a pure heart
make.
    “Wh... where are you going?” Alfred leaned
forward, reaching for Jared, who’d retreated toward the door. “I
want my money.”
    Jared paused and turned, his expression dark.
“You won’t see a single penny until I have the information I came
for. If I have to get it from Lady Merideth, I shall.”
    “But the money is mine. You must give it to
me. She doesn’t even—” Alfred sucked in his breath. His
heavy-lidded eyes, focused on a spot behind Jared, widened in
shock.
    “What the—” Jared jerked around, but only
caught a glimpse of scarlet before blinding pain exploded in his
head.

    Good Lord, he hurt! Jared moaned and the
sound amplified the drums pounding in his head. He tried to move
his hands, to cradle his aching temple, but he couldn’t move them.
What the hell? He tried again, this time forcing his eyes open.
    He’d obviously died, for there staring down
at him was the most beautiful angel. His eyes narrowed. Hell, that
was no angel. It was Lady Merideth Banister, and he was...
    Memory crashed down on him and he fought
against the pain to sit up. Rough hands grabbed at him, knocking
him back to the floor.
    “Ye aren’t going nowhere,” came a voice from
behind him. Jared twisted but could only catch a glimpse of
thick-soled boots.
    At the same time, he realized his hands were
tied. “What’s going on here?”
    “I’ll tell ye what’s going on. Yer going to
hang.”
    “Hang?” This time Jared struggled to sit up,
but the boot slammed into his shoulder, flattening him. His head
landed on the worn carpet with a thud. “What the hell for?” Jared
managed after the bolt of pain subsided a bit. Had they discovered
why he was on British soil?
    Jared’s gaze sought Merideth’s. She still
stood over him, and she took a deep breath, her bottom lip
trembling before