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

to her then back to Captain Hart for a second time. Why?
    She returned the cup to his saucer and refolded the napkin on her lap. Had he noticed the familiarity between her and Hart, or was he only interested in the conversation?
    “And if the fairer gender fires the first shot?” Landon asked, a wicked gleam in his eyes. “What then?”
    Uncle Jared paused and gave the captain a puzzled frown. “To what do you refer, Captain?”
    Keelan gripped her napkin tightly. Her heart ricocheted against the walls of her chest, its vibration pounding in her ears.  
    I’m a naïve little fool!  
    She should have suspected he wouldn’t keep his word! Regardless of his promises, he was a scoundrel. A black-hearted man with no scruples or honor. He was a seaman.
    Surely, even a pirate would be less nefarious.
    Afraid her expression would betray her fear, she stared at her clenched fists. A sickening sense of dread pulsed in her stomach. If Daniel suffered a punishment because of Landon Hart’s words, she would seek her own vengeance.  
    And although Hart seemed to harbor no moral compass when it came to keeping his word, he was about to learn that Keelan Grey always kept her promises.
    Landon chuckled, placed his elbow on the table, and rested his chin in his hand.  
    “There are tales of a lady pirate who dressed like a man. For a while, even her husband’s crew did not know her fairer gender.”  
    She let out a long slow breath and narrowed her eyes at him. In return, she received a merry wink. Taking a smaller sip of tea, she tried to hide her agitation. The captain seemed to enjoy watching her squirm in her chair. She wished she could turn about the conversation in a way that would make him squirm, too.
    To Keelan’s surprise, her very proper aunt’s eyes widened before her excited intake of breath drew the captain’s attention. “How scandalous! Please tell us more about her.”  
    “Her name was Anne Bonny,” he answered. “She handled a blade and pistol as well as, and sometimes better than, any man. Eventually she was captured and sentenced to hang in Jamaica.”
    “Oh, dear,” Aunt Sarah sighed.
      “However,” Landon continued, “she was with child at the time and received several stays of execution. Until one day, she vanished from the gaol.”
    “Vanished! Where did she go?” Aunt Sarah leaned forward. “How did she escape?”
    Landon shrugged. “It is alleged that a group of loyal friends crept ashore in the dark of the new moon to rescue her.”
    Unable to help herself, Keelan asked, “And what of her husband?” The story seemed incredibly romantic to her, but why would her husband not lead his men?  
    Landon shrugged. “Calico Jack Rackham had been captured the same time as Anne. No reason existed to stay his execution.”
    His answer was a bit disappointing . She could easily envision a handsome pirate, proudly standing at the bow of his grand ship with his legs braced wide and arms folded across his chest, as he sailed into danger to rescue his love.
    “Pity,” Aunt Sarah murmured. “What of the child?”
    Landon’s brows furrowed. “She and her son disappeared. I’ve heard different rumors that she changed her name and started a new life in St. Augustine. Other stories place her in New Orleans. She was never heard of again.”
    Keelan could feel the doctor’s gaze. She did her best to ignore the chill slithering across the back of her neck.
    “How long are you at port Captain Hart?” Dr. Garrison changed the subject.  
    Keelan straightened in her seat, drawing another curious perusal from her aunt. Trying to appear unconcerned, Keelan pretended to focus on rearranging her napkin over her lap. When Captain Hart didn’t immediately answer, she chanced a glance in his direction.
    Landon sat back in his chair. “A few weeks.” He shifted his gaze to Keelan. “At least.”
      “Well, then,” Aunt Sarah said. “You must allow us to offer you the full hospitality of Twin Pines.