Sea of Desire Read Online Free Page A

responding. “Why did you do it? I would have
gotten you the money... somehow.”
    “Do what?” Jared tried to keep the panic from
his voice. But he was in so much pain he could barely think
straight, he was trussed up like a Christmas goose, and it felt
like an ox was standing on his shoulder.
    “Murder him,” Merideth sniffed. “Why did you
murder my father?”

Chapter Two

    “What the hell are you talking about?”
    “That’ll be enough outa ye.” The boot ground
harder into Jared’s shoulder as he strained to sit up. He tried to
see past the black dots that swam before his face. “Her Ladyship
done sent for the constable, she did. He’ll take care a the likes a
ye.”
    Jared’s eyes met Merideth’s and followed the
slight shift in her gaze to the motionless form on the floor, not
ten feet away. Even though it was covered with a sheet, one didn’t
need much imagination to know it was a body. And it didn’t take her
accusing words to know it was her father. Tears shimmered in her
eyes, and she seemed barely able to keep them from pouring down her
cheeks. While he watched she took a deep, quivering breath.
    “You can leave now, Mort. I can handle Mr.
Blackstone,” Merideth said to Belinda’s son. She’d sent the maid
running to the stables to find him.
    “But yer Ladyship, what if he tries to get
away?”
    “You’ve tied him securely, and I do have a
pistol.” Her glance strayed back to where Jared lay on the floor.
“And I won’t be shy about using it.”
    “But Lady Merideth...”
    “That’s enough, Mort. Tell Thurston to watch
for Mr. Samuals, and inform your mother that I’d like some tea.”
Merideth strained to control her voice and emotions. She couldn’t
break down now. Later, when she learned the truth, and when the
diabolical Mr. Blackstone was bound for his hangman’s noose, then
she could give her grief free rein.
    “Ye wants I should take his Lordship...” Mort
paused, as if not knowing exactly where to suggest he take him. “Up
to his bed?”
    “No.” Merideth wondered if Mort’s question
was prompted by his long history of helping her get her father up
the staircase to his room when the earl was too far in his cups for
Merideth to handle alone. “I don’t want him moved.”
    “But it ain’t fittin’, him just lyin’
there.”
    “We’ll take care of him directly.” Merideth
tried not to look at where her father lay. But the sight of him as
she had found him earlier, crimson blossoming from a hole in his
chest, his face bloodless, was etched on her mind. She stiffened
her spine. “I want everything to be as it was when the constable
arrives.”
    “As ye wish, your Ladyship.” Mort moved then,
giving one last heel dig to Jared’s arm before heading toward the
door.
    Jared twisted and got his first look at the
burly redhead as Mort left the library. When he was gone, Jared
slowly hiked himself to sitting. Merideth didn’t seem to mind that
he sat. She simply watched his labored efforts, the pistol she held
never wavering.
    Something warm trickled down his ear, and
Jared imagined his efforts had caused the wound on his head to
bleed. But it was better than lying on his back beneath the
yeoman’s boot.
    “I want to know why.” Merideth had allowed
him to struggle to sitting, but now she aimed the gun toward his
chest. Even though he was tied, his size and obvious strength
frightened her.
    “Do you mean, why was your father killed?”
Jared watched as she sucked her lower lip into her mouth before
nodding. He took a deep breath, wincing slightly at the pain in his
head. “I haven’t a clue. Because I didn’t kill him.”
    Why was he blessed with a voice that inspired
belief? Merideth knew better, yet she was still tempted to accept
his words. She cocked the pistol. “When I found you, there was a
spent gun clutched in your hand. And there was...” Merideth felt
tears threatening and paused. When she gained control of her
emotions, she continued. “You