The Captain's Pearl Read Online Free Page B

deal with him.”
    When he kissed her cheek, Lian stared at him in astonishment. Maybe Davis Catherwood would bring the happy ending to Lian’s story as Mother had hoped.
    Lian sat on the pallet and strained to hear Davis negotiating with Sun Niang in the courtyard. They stood too far away. Footfalls fading in the distance warned her brother was leaving. When he returned, he would take her and Mother to America.
    A rattle warned her to kneel. Renewed terror cut through her. Had Davis failed to persuade Sun Niang not to sell her to anyone else?
    â€œYou have found much favor with that American, ugly one.” Holding a handful of money close to her lowered eyes, Sun Niang chuckled. “He pays highly. Treat him well, ugly one. Soon the Americans will sail away. If you fail to pleasure the Cantonese, you shall die.”
    He left, giving her no chance to answer. Not that she wanted to. If she had met his eyes, she might have revealed she was going to escape. She and Mother would be together again. Even being banished to America was not too high a price to pay. She would do whatever she must to repay her brother … even if it took the rest of her life.

Three
    Footsteps stopped in front of Lian’s hut. The rice strands were thrust aside, and a man stepped through—a man she could not forget, although she had seen him but once. His face was sharply carved like the gods on the family altar. When he grasped her arms, she was sure his muscles must be as hard as stone. The breadth of his shoulders seemed too wide for this hut, but she paid no attention as she stared into his green eyes.
    Bryce! What was he doing here? Had something happened to Davis?
    Before she could ask, he hissed through his mustache that was as ebony as his hair that fell past his collar, “Stop staring like a fool.” He cursed when his head hit the low roof. “Kneel to me.”
    â€œBryce—”
    â€œHow do you know my name?” He scowled as she started to explain. “Later.” With his hands heavy on her shoulders, he crushed her toward the ground. “Cooperate, you little fool. I don’t want to get into a fight over you.”
    Unsure of all his words, she glared at him before she dropped her forehead to his muddy boots. She listened as he talked to someone outside. He spoke Cantonese with only a hint of an accent.
    â€œGood,” he murmured in English. “That should keep him away.” Louder, he ordered, “Get up.”
    Wanting to ask why he sounded angry, she sat back on her heels, then stood. When his gaze raked the flimsy material, she remembered what Davis had told her. Bryce did not find her ugly. She raised her arms to cover herself. He caught them in his broad hands. Fire seared her as if she had been scorched by a cooking pot—only this heat was oddly pleasurable, making her want to savor it. Daring to lift her eyes, she found his glowing, not from opium, but with emotions that both frightened and enticed her.
    â€œFaith!” he breathed. His hands moved toward her, but he pulled them back and whirled to look out the door. In a tight tone, he whispered, “Get dressed.”
    â€œThis is all I have.” She was glad he spoke Cantonese.
    â€œDoes the captain know that?”
    â€œHe has gone to get clothes for me.”
    He faced her and pinned her in place with his green gaze. “Do you realize how dangerous this will be?”
    â€œI would rather be dead than live this life.”
    He laughed tightly. “I would rather be alive than risk my life to help my captain’s half-Chinese half-sister escape a brothel. If you are his sister.” He glanced at the door. The word he snapped under his breath was not Cantonese. “Come here.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œCooperate, if you want to get out of here alive.”
    Lian gasped as he pushed her back onto the filthy pallet. She tried to roll away.
    Leaning over her, he grasped her head and