Free Bound by the Heart by Marsha Canham Page B

think we'll choose?"
    Michael bit his lip and answered reluctantly,
"France. He says you have too many war birds in your congress for you to
ever reach a peaceful agreement with Britain."
    "I believe the term is war hawks, and he's
undoubtably right. But it's not just us, boy. Too many men on both sides of the
ocean want to fight."
    "Then you agree we shall soon be at war?"
    "I can see no other end to it."
    Michael frowned. "And will you fight us?"
    Wade studied the boy's earnest expression. "Well,
lad, I've always taken life one stride at a time. War could be two, three . . .
ten years down the wind yet, and I cannot say what my inclinations will
be."
    "His inclination will be to profit from the
conflict," Summer said derisively. She felt Wade's eyes on her, but she
kept her own carefully lowered.
    Michael broke the silence. "You haven't said what
you would do if a British man-of-war intercepted us tomorrow. Would you use
your cannon, sir? Would you fire on one of His Majesty's ships?"
    "If they fired on me, yes. Without a minute's
hesitation. But then I'd also fire on the French or the Spanish or anyone who
tried to get in my way and stop me from going on about my business. The Chimera is a high-spirited lady with a
high-spirited crew. Neither take kindly to a broadside. You might bear that in
mind if you are hoping to see a friendly sail on the horizon. We're in open
water now. There are no rules out here as far as private merchant ships go; any
and all of us are fair game, not just for revenuers."
    "You mean the Chimera could be attacked by other
privateers?"
    "There are some who might try," he nodded.
"But I rather think it would be the other way around."
    "You mean you would attack another ship if you
saw one?"
    "If the mood was on me, aye."
    Michael leaned forward excitedly. "Honestly? A
real sea battle? Oh, jolly good!"
    "Michael, that will be quite enough," Summer
said archly. "You have had a long day and a busy one, and I'm sure you
will be having an even busier one tomorrow. I suggest you save some of your
energy for then."
    "Oh, but—"
    "Michael!”
    "Yes ma'am," he said, downcast.
    Wade tilted his head toward the faint rasp of a curse
filtering in through the open portals. He glanced at the timepiece on his desk
and was amazed to see how much time had passed. It was almost his watch.
    "Never mind, lad, we'll talk more tomorrow. Right
now I'm due up on the bridge." He stood up and stretched, regretfully
eyeing the soft mattress on the berth. He shut and latched the gallery windows
to seal out the dampness and lit the brass lanterns—one on his desk, one
hanging from the center beam in the ceiling. Then he stopped beside his desk
and removed two cigars from the humidor.
    "I'll send someone in to clear away the dishes.
Help yourself to the bookcases, Governess"—he glanced at Summer and
grinned mockingly—"anything I have is yours."
    The flush remained in her cheeks long after the sound
of his boots had faded from the corridor. She toyed with her fork quietly for
the next few minutes, scarcely remembering that Michael was still in the cabin
with her.
    "Well, I got the bounder to admit he would open
fire on the Royal Navy," he said smugly.
    Summer blinked and stared at him. "You got him to
admit he would return fire . . . something any ship's captain would do. And
why on earth were you hounding him about his motives and intentions? He hasn't
the most stable temperament I've seen, and he doesn't give much warning between
changes. In fact," she added dryly, "he's downright prickly where his
patriotism is concerned."
    "Yes, but just look at what we'll be able to tell
Father! No one has been on the Chimera during one of her voyages and lived to describe her
activities to the authorities."
    "That is certainly encouraging to know."
    "We'll be able to tell all about her cannon and
her men, what he carries on all three decks ... his strengths, his weaknesses. I told you, they've given me free run of the
ship. Father says