Free The Pirate's Debt (The Regent's Revenge Book 2) by Katherine Bone

tremulous frown, she squeezed . . . hard.
                  “Ouch!” Good heavens, she had no idea Jane was that strong!
    Markwick and several men stationed at their oars turned their heads to discover the reason for her outburst.
    She smiled wanly until they looked away and then whispered to Jane. “Did you have to pinch me so hard?”
    “I cannot ’elp that my fingers are strong.”
    “Very strong.” Chloe rubbed her arm to ease the sharp, stinging pain throbbing in that one spot. Never again would she take Jane’s strength for granted.
    Jane leaned in. “Are ye swayed now?”
    “Certainly,” Chloe answered as the prickling sensation faded.
    So this isn’t a dream. The Mohegan had struck the rocks. Captain Teague and most of his men were dead. She didn’t dare cast a glance over her shoulder at the crippled ship. It reminded her only of tragedy and death, things she had yet to understand how to process. Instead, she concentrated on Markwick’s back, wondering if he could feel her eyes upon him.
    Seawater sloshed over the rim of the cutter, wetting Chloe’s and Jane’s feet. The cold, salty spray added to the dousing they’d received on board the wrecked ship and left her shivering and cold as they sailed toward the Fury .
    Chloe licked her lip, tasting brine, wondering how men preferred the sea, the unending cold, and the fathomless darkness to the welcome glare of the sun, a garden in bloom, and especially a good book. She used the back of her hand to wipe moisture out of her eyes and off her chilled face. It did no good. Seawater continued to slosh and spray about them, moistening her skin, as men groaned, fighting the tide, and oars clonked against the sides of the cutter in a steady rhythm.
    Clonkety-clonk. Grind. Clonkety-clonk. Grind.
    Chloe flinched. She’d never been in a small boat before and despised being cramped in such tight confines, especially when the abyss was her only escape.
    Dread cinched her heart. To locate Markwick, she’d obtained passage on two ships—first the Valerian and then the Mohegan —but at what cost? Men were dead. Pierce had been searching for her. He’d find the wrecked Mohegan . His access to ships, ports, and customs information assured that discovery.
    Botheration! Pierce will locate the ship’s remains. He’ll gather the bodies lying on shore and believe I am dead!
    What was she to do? She’d never felt so unhinged. Blood-stirring turmoil coiled within her. She sucked in a stabilizing breath and bit her lower lip to keep it from quivering.
    Tears filled her eyes. Pierce would tell their parents that pirates had murdered her. Oh dear. Oh dear, that simply wasn’t true! She had to find a way to get a dispatch to her family. She had to let them know she’d survived, that the Earl of Markwick had saved her life.
    Besides Markwick, family was the most important thing in the world to her. She couldn’t allow her parents to suffer because of the choices she’d made. No. She’d have to find a way to let her brother know she was alive. He couldn’t be too far away. He’d always been one step behind the Regent. She had to prevent his pain and grief. She’d seen Pru go through such unnecessary hell, and Chloe would never wish that on anyone.
    She gasped, realizing once more that while her family would learn that she was alive, Captain Teague and his thirty-six men were not. They’d receive no burial, no hymns or prayers over their bodies. Their remains would never be returned home. Who would tell their families? How would they survive?
    A sob lodged in Chloe’s throat, nearly strangling off the air she breathed. Agony gripped her so fiercely she nearly doubled over to empty the contents of her stomach.
    The boat clanked against a solid object, jolting Chloe from her musings. Had they arrived at Markwick’s ship?
    “Heva! Boat ahoy.” The low-hollered welcome came out of the void, ominously snaking down Chloe’s spine.
    “Keep her steady,”