Fortune's Flames Read Free Page B

punishes them for placing Murray in full control of Father’s firm. The old beak nose never had any use for me, and the same was true of my dear departed father. In Colin James’s eyes, my father had only one son and heir: Murray. God, how I hate them all.”
    “You still mad at your grandmother because she broke her promise to you?”
    “Damn right, Ben! She lied about helping me with Grandfather. If she had kept her word, I would be half-owner with Murray right now, and her youngest son would still be alive…well, maybe Uncle Cameron wouldn’t be dead yet. I’ve proven I can handle the New Orleans firm better than anyone. I’d like to see them try to take it away from me,” he said, his green gaze cold and angry.
    “I can’t allow anything or anyone to stand in my way, Ben, not even the American government. But we’ll have to be careful and clever. Too many James deaths in a short span will catch someone’s attention. Right now, Murray’s my main concern. He’s getting too inquisitive. After he’s gone, Marc won’t give me any sass or trouble. Even if Mother hadn’t made him into a weakling and a fool, he’s too grateful and scared to defy me. Before this year ends, the war should be overand I’ll own everything, if there’s anything left.”
    “With what you’ve got going, it doesn’t really matter which country wins this stupid war. You’re smart to cover all sides and to keep your identity a secret on this voyage. There shouldn’t be any trouble for us with you posing as James Slade and claiming Maren is your wife.”
    Eric affectionately slapped Horben on the back and replied, “The smartest thing I ever did was to hire you, Ben.” They talked a while longer, then went below to eat.
    Twenty-six-year-old Peter Thomas stepped from behind a large capstan and several barrels, and was relieved that the deck was not cluttered with men. The sandy-haired seaman wished he had been close enough to eavesdrop, but it had been impossible to get nearer to the two men without being sighted and questioned. Fortunately he had been in Charleston when Captain Canton had hired the crew for this unusual, and suspicious, voyage to Britain. He rubbed his jaw thoughtfully. As soon as possible, he must report to the President to suggest having someone spy on James Slade and Horben Wolfe… and perhaps on that beautiful wife James Slade had retrieved from London….
    Two weeks passed uneventfully aboard the ship. From recent reports, most of the fighting was being done along the Atlantic coast and around the Great Lakes. To avoid the coastal blockade, Eric’s ship hadsailed southwest from Britain. They were to pass near the West Indies before entering the Gulf of Mexico and proceeding to New Orleans, after putting in at one of the Caribbean islands.
    Maren spent most of her time in Captain Thomas Canton’s quarters “to prevent trouble with any beauty-smitten sailor.” Only the Captain and first mate knew who she and Eric were, for the crew had been signed on in Charleston and Savannah to insure secrecy for this vital mission.
    Once each morning and evening, she was allowed a stroll on deck in the company of the captain or her cousin. Her meals were taken in her borrowed quarters, but she was joined at dinner by Eric, Horben, and Captain Canton. Often they would play games, usually card games or “toss the ring,” but sometimes they would talk or read aloud. Confined most of the time, Maren enjoyed these evening meals and visits, except for Horben Wolfe’s presence. There was something about the man she did not like or trust. Perhaps it was his piercing stare which made her uneasy.
    During one stroll, she and Eric had discussed her problems. It was odd, but her losses seemed unreal to her. She often found herself getting excited and thinking she would soon see her parents and her home. She went over her first conversation with him in detail, but even after she reminded herself that her parents no longer existed,