Free Hart's Desire (Pirates & Petticoats Book 1) by Chloe Flowers

Keelan’s cup, along with the others at the table.  
    Uncle Jared placed a spoonful of the fruit on his plate. “What hear you, Captain Hart, of the possibility of war between the United States and England?”
    “War!” Aunt Sarah exclaimed, putting down her fork. “I thought the United States remains neutral with regard to the conflict between France and England. Has that changed?”
    Landon spread jam on his scone. “It appears neither France nor England is willing to trade with a country who will not declare its absolute allegiance. It is only a matter of time before we are forced to choose sides.”
    “Oh dear,” Aunt Sarah said.  
    Jared leaned in. “Will you have to adjust your trade route?”
    Hart gave a slight shrug, “Possibly. Our primary mission is to avoid the British navy and the French privateers.” He glanced at Keelan and the corner of his mouth tipped up. “And other pirates.”
    Sarah pressed her hand to her throat. “Are you saying the British navy will attack unprovoked?”  
    Captain O'Brien explained, “Not attack, exactly. The English still consider us British citizens, not Americans. They continue to illegally search our ships and impress American seamen into service for the British navy. And the privateers are given letters of marque from their king, giving them authority to take possession of enemy merchant ships in exchange for a share of the prize. It makes for dangerous waters.”
      “Disrupt a country’s trade and you weaken the resources needed to fight,” Uncle Jared added. He tapped his finger on the table as he spoke. “Congress can no longer remain reticent. They will have to act soon. I believe it’s only a matter of time before we’re all pulled into war.” Her uncle sighed and shook his head. “Even though we cannot afford to participate since this country is still building its forces. It doesn’t yet have a strong navy to protect its coast.”
    Landon cocked his head and placed his elbows on the table. “The United States has several frigates on the seas. Commodore Hall, of the USS Glory, is a good friend of mine.”
    Uncle Jared looked hard at Landon. “This war will not be fought solely on the seas.”  
    “That’s certainly true, Mr. Grey,” Captain Hart agreed. His gaze locked on Keelan as she bit into a scone. “We all might be asked to do our part. Why, who knows, perhaps women will have to be instructed to bear arms as well.”  
    The sizzle of her nerves fraying like brittle twine was almost audible. She tried to swallow the scone, but it had turned to dust in her throat, making her cough.
    “Are you all right, Miss Keelan?” Dr. Garrison asked, patting her back.  
    Aunt Sarah gave her a concerned glance before she smiled and responded to Captain Hart. “What a silly thing to demand. There are better ways for women to help in times of war.”
    Keelan attempted to wash down the offending morsel with a gulp of tea and instantly regretted the action when the scalding liquid hit the back of her throat and threw her into a worse fit of coughing and sputtering. She did her best to ignore the two seamen who attempted to hide their amused smiles behind their own cups. Insufferable ingrates.
    “War and weapons are no place for women or children,” Uncle Jared stated, oblivious to the cause for Keelan’s discomfort. “It’s a man’s duty to protect his own and be noble enough to never engage the fairer gender in battle.”
    “Are you all right, my dear?” Aunt Sarah asked as Keelan reached for the cream pitcher. Keelan poured a liberal amount into her teacup, nodded and stared hard at Landon Hart, wishing he were the one mute from a scalded tongue.
    “Here, Miss Keelan,” Dr. Garrison said. “Have a sip of my tea. It’s gone cold. I added too much cream I’m afraid.”
    She nodded her thanks and gulped down the rest of the doctor’s tepid tea, noticing as she did so that Dr. Garrison was watching Captain Hart intently. His gaze shifted