Fortune's Flames Read Free Page A

everything. I don’t want him and Grandmother to learn about your father’s death until it’s necessary. If this mission is successful, I should get a reward, and our country will be saved. Captain Hull received a gold medal and fifty thousand dollars from Congress when the Constitution defeated the Guerrière, and Captain Jones was rewarded with a sword and twenty-five thousand dollars in prize money even though he lost his ship to the British. Surely this vital mission is worth a small reward and a medal. Murray will envy me.”
    “How is Murray?” Maren had suddenly become curious about her other cousin.
    “He’s probably fine by now. He wants to keep hisaccident a secret because he broke his leg at a married woman’s house. I think it would be best if you don’t mention it to him, or to anybody, if you don’t mind.”
    “I thought he was planning to be married soon.”
    Eric laughed devilishly. “He is; that’s another reason why he wants his recklessness kept quiet.”
    Maren was annoyed by his brother’s conduct because it revived memories of Daniel’s alleged deceits. Could no man, besides her father, be trusted? she wondered. How lucky she had been to have Cameron James as an example, and how fortunate to have such a special mother as Carlotta. Her parents had been strong, intelligent, caring people. And even if they had been ruined financially, they would have found other ways to survive and succeed. “If Murray loves her and plans to marry her, why would he do such a despicable thing?”
    “Men take foolish risks when they’re about to be imprisoned for life. They become scared and do crazy things. But if I decided to take a wife, I wouldn’t cheat on her. I wouldn’t want to risk losing her. She would own my heart and soul.” He pretended to be embarrassed by his rash confession, thinking that would endear him to her, but recalling Daniel’s shortcomings, he quickly changed the subject. “This has been a hard morning for you. Why don’t you rest for a while? I’ll let you know when it’s time to eat.”
    “Yes, I do need to relax and think,” Maren agreed.
    After Eric left the cabin, she went over his words several times, and the brunt of them struck her. Alone. It was true; her parents were lost to herforever. She covered her face with quivering hands and wept. Later she would make plans; now she simply needed to release her tension and grief.
    Eric stood at the ship’s railing with his righthand man. Horben Wolfe’s flaming hair whipped about his ruddy face as his pale eyes gazed across the water, eyes which were almost colorless except for a slight tinge of ice blue. The big man’s burly frame was propped against the sturdy rail, and his arms were folded over his chest. Horben was at Eric’s side most of the time. He was his protector and cohort. No matter what Eric said or did to others, Horben trusted and obeyed him implicitly.
    The redheaded man inquired, “Did she believe you?”
    Eric laughed and responded, “Why wouldn’t she? We’ve been close friends for years. Maren’s smart, but she’s too trusting and gullible. Besides, there’s little chance she can learn the truth, and if she does, what can she do about it? If she becomes a problem, I know the perfect way to deal with her.”
    “Are you still planning to get rid of your two brothers?”
    “The sooner the better,” Eric replied coldly. “I’m tired of Murray’s bossiness and interference, and Marc’s a weak simpleton. I’ve done all the work and planning, I’ve kept the firm afloat; so I deserve to have all of James Shipping, not a third of it.”
    “What about your grandfather? He still owns partof the business, and we both know he would hang you if he discovered your secrets.”
    Eric replied bitterly, “I left a letter telling my beloved grandparents about poor Cameron’s death. It should finish them off, or at least keep them out of my hair until it’s too late to interfere. I hope that news