Free The Sea Maiden by Mary Speer

not dashing and handsome like Peter but he was big and stocky not likely to get pushed around and he had a warm and friendly demeanor.
    “Lynnette, I think it would best that you not come with me to the harbor at such a late hour. Lord Harmon-”
    “You don’t want me to come with you?” Lynnette interrupted
    “No, I meant it’s not wise for a pretty lady like you to be out on the harbor at this hour.”
    “You think I’m pretty?”
    “Yes, I mean no…I mean yes.” Clifton blushed. “I’m sorry I’m not use to being in the company of ladies…like you.”
    “Well I don’t bite you know.”
    Lynnette was enjoying her power over him a man almost twice her size.
    “It really is not a good idea for a lady like yourself to go to the harbor at this time I must insist that you stay and I will not take offense.”
    “Oh don’t be silly I want to go; besides I’m sure I will be safe with you, by the way do you know a young man by the name of Peter De Marco? He works aboard the Sea Maiden.”
    “No Miss, I mean Lynnette. There are always new seamen aboard, I only know the Captain, he’s Lord Harmon’s half-brother.”
    “What? Lord Harmon has a brother?”
    “Yes, Captain Eric Drake.”
    “Why is his last name Drake, not Harmon? “
    “Captain Drake was Lord Edward Harmon’s illegitimate son by one of his maids, Erica Drake but the woman died during child birth while the senior Lord Harmon was away. Her sister Marie, who had no children, took the child and named him after her sister then hid him from Lord Edward out in the country till age three. When Marie was dying she took him to Lord Edward, known to be a kind man. He immediately recognized her and saw that the boy was his exact image. Lord Edward was already in his late fifties and his only other son, Lord Gunther Harmon was in his thirties. Lord Gunther and Lord Edward didn’t get along. Lord Gunther didn’t find out about his half-brother Eric till much later, he had been living over seas. When he found out about Eric he was very angry that there was another heir to his father’s fortune. It’s said that Lord Edward Harmon feared Gunther might have Eric killed so Lord Edward left some indication on his will that if Eric were to perish, Gunther’s inheritance would be reduced and he would not inherit Harmon Hall instead it would be passed on to the poor. Lord Edward Harmon preferred Captain Drake and when he died he left him half of his estate. Lord Gunther Harmon always wanted Harmon Hall so recently Lord Gunther Harmon bought out Captain Drake’s half of the Estate and used the Sea Maiden as part of the payment this appealed to Captain Drake and readily agreed to it especially since he does not spend much time here, he has property in New England, and he also does not get along with his half-brother Gunther. Those are the documents Lord Gunther wants me to pick up tonight; however I believe he is only sending us so he can be alone with his betrothed because Captain Drake is to bring them with him on Saturday to the dinner party and I’m sure he will not give them to me tonight.”
    “I thought you said they don’t get along”
    “For business purposes they do but they are on the chilly side. Captain Drake was only invited to the party because he was already scheduled to come deliver the documents on Saturday, his ship leaves next week, also Lord Harmon knows that Captain Drake is a social favorite, admired by the ladies and respected by the gentlemen.”
    Lynnette wanted to get a feel for Captain Drake to report to Karina what she thought the chances were that the Captain might allow her to travel along.
    “So he’s handsome?”
    “Well he is popular with the ladies, and is considered a capital fellow by the gentlemen.”
    “I see so Captain Drake is well liked?”
    “Yes, and he’s considered a just man.”
    “Would you say the same of Lord Harmon?”
    Clifton remained silent, then, changed the subject and said,
    “It