The Captain's Pearl Read Online Free Page A

Davis.”
    Sitting back on her heels, she looked past him. Was his demonic comrade here, too? No, thank the gods. But Davis Catherwood had accused Mother of lying. If he had not believed Mother, why was he here? There was, she realized, only one reason. He wanted a woman. How could he call himself her brother and be here?
    He put his hand out to her, but she cowered away. If there was any chance he might be her brother … a tremor ached through her stomach.
    â€œNo afraid. I—” He paused and growled in English, “What’s the word I want?”
    â€œI speak English. Small bit.”
    â€œThat’s right. Your mother said that.” His smile contained warmth, but she watched him warily. She could not guess what a foreign devil might do. “Lian, don’t be afraid. You’re my sister. You don’t want to stay here, do you?”
    She shook her head.
    â€œHow did you get here?” Davis wondered what would have happened to Lian if one of the men from the China Shadow had not mentioned seeing a blue-eyed Chinese woman being forced into Sun Niang’s whorehouse.
    â€œMother’s Younger Brother sold me,” Lian whispered so lowly he had to strain to hear her. “Because of my ugly face. This was his way of freeing the family of shame.”
    Davis’s lips tightened. “Ugly? Is that what they tell you? That’s odd, because my first mate Bryce has mentioned surprisingly often how lovely you are.”
    â€œFirst mate Bryce?”
    â€œThe man with me last night. His name is Bryce.” Sitting on the stained pallet, he tried not to stare. His sister should not be dressed like this. “Lian, you are my sister. What type of beast do you think I am?”
    Lian lowered her gaze. “I know little of the ways of the—of the—”
    â€œGo ahead. Say it.” He laughed roughly. “To you, I’m sure we seem like foreign devils. Well, this foreign devil has come with an offer.”
    â€œAn offer? What does that mean?”
    He whispered, “Let me take you home.”
    â€œTo Mother?” Happiness danced through her, then faded. “Mother’s Younger Brother will bring me back here.”
    Folding her fingers in his rough hands, he said, “Let me take you to America. Home. With our father. Your father and my father.
    Lian stared at him. Was he mad? So often Mother had told her stories of Captain Catherwood, but to Lian he was a myth, like the other tales in the thousand stories box.
    â€œLian, do you want to go?”
    â€œTo America?” She shook her head. “This is my home.”
    â€œ This will be your home if you stay here.” He flung out his arm and grimaced when his hand struck the wall. “I cannot believe you want to whore for that bastard out there.”
    â€œI cannot leave Mother alone.”
    â€œIf we take your mother with us, will you come?”
    Even as Lian smiled, Davis wished he had not offered this rash promise. His father had never mentioned a Chinese mistress, but Davis could not leave his sister in this dung heap. Bryce was right. She was beautiful. From her downy cheeks to her slender chin, she teased a man’s fingers to touch her. The smooth skin along her neck drew his eyes down to the gentle curves beneath …
    Davis gulped and stood. “Get dressed!” Heaven above, he should not be staring at his sister like this.
    â€œSun Niang must have taken my clothes when he brought you in!”
    â€œYou cannot leave like this.” He grinned and patted her arm. “Wait here. I’ll get you some clothes.”
    She grasped his arm. “Do not leave me here, Captain Catherwood.”
    â€œYou should call me Davis, little sister,” he corrected gently. “Don’t worry. I will give Sun Niang a few extra coins to convince him to offer you to no one until I return.”
    â€œHe will cheat you.
    â€œTrust me, little sister. I know how to