My Savage Heart (The MacQuaid Brothers) Read Free Page A

English are strained. But it is nothing that can’t be repaired.” There was a pause. “Perhaps if trade resumed.”
    Raff’s voice interrupted, low, barely audible in the anteroom. “Trade? You but remind me of how unscrupulous English traders can be.”
    Caroline strained, as, she noticed, did the assistant, but she couldn’t understand the governor’s reply. But Raff’s next words were spoken loud enough to hear plainly through the closed door. “Yet you would have us leave our homes and fight your enemies for you.”
    “The French are your enemies, too.”
    “Only because we are your allies, drawn together by a treaty you English refuse to honor.”
    “Now look here, Raff. You can’t possibly think the French would—”
    Raff’s voice cut off the governor’s words. “I shall hold council with Little Carpenter when I return to the Lower Towns. Perhaps he shall view your betrayal in a better light than I.”
    Before Caroline could appreciate what he’d said, the door slammed open, and Raff strode into the anteroom. She was caught with her neck craned to the side in an obvious listening stance. Searching her mind for an explanation for her eavesdropping, she jumped to her feet.
    But her companion didn’t seem to notice her. He stopped when the governor, looking exasperated and slightly dumbfounded called out. Caroline didn’t know what he said for the word was foreign to her. But Raff seemed to recognize it. He turned to face the older man.
    “I will see what I can do.” The governor lifted his arms, the thick lace falling back over his wrists. “Perhaps if I could speak directly with the Headmen we could come to a compromise.”
    Raff’s eyes narrowed as he studied Lyttleton’s heavy jowled face. “I will take your words to the Ani`-Yun`wiya , my people. Much depends upon this.”
    Caroline shivered. She couldn’t help herself. The air in the small stuffy room seemed suddenly charged, like the moments before a storm blows off the channel. Caroline wouldn’t have been surprised to see the silk curtains that hung heavy and limp in the midmorning heat start trailing out like banners in the wind.
    But there was no wind... no storm. Only the heightened emotion between the two men as they stared at each other. Then Raff turned abruptly, seemingly noticing Caroline for the first time since he entered the room. After a quick bow toward the governor, he grabbed Caroline’s hand and practically pulled her from the room. The door slammed behind them.
    They were halfway down the wide stairs before Caroline managed to catch hold of the railing and slow their pace. Her heart beat a rapid tattoo, and she looked down wide-eyed at her companion who came to a halt two steps below her. She watched as the expression on his face changed.
    “I apologize,” Wolf let loose her hand, noting the pale skin was red from his grip. He tried a smile, forcing himself to appear pleasant though his blood still boiled from the encounter with Governor Lyttleton. “We should leave while there are still hours of daylight.” The touch of her fingers on his sleeve kept Wolf from continuing down the stairs.
    “Wait.” Caroline bit her bottom lip. Questioning what fate dealt her was rarely something she did. She should simply realize she was an unplanned spectator to the confrontation that just occurred and leave it at that. But somehow she couldn’t. Whatever had transpired was important to Raff MacQuaid, vitally important. No amount of pretending on his part could hide that. “What did you mean by much depends upon it? Why are you so angry?”
    He didn’t answer, only continued to stare at her in a way that made her heart beat faster. Then he pivoted and continued down the stairs, his step less hurried. Surprised, Caroline lifted her skirts and rushed to catch up. She overtook him near the bottom, her quilted petticoat swirling out as she rounded on him. “Tell me,” she insisted, wondering what possessed her to be so bold.