Read The Pirate's Desire for Free Online Page B

Ravensbrook. Perhaps tomorrow you will show me the accounts and ledgers.”
    Lucinda gasped. The cheek of him. “I most certainly will not! Mr. Chase, our solicitor, is in charge of the books. He will remain so until I can learn to do them myself.”
    “Your father told me that a stipend from a trust is paid out each month for the maintenance of Ravensbrook. Is that true?”
    Suspicion again reared its ugly head. Was this what Riel was truly after—Ravensbrook’s fortunes?
    “Yes. What of it?” True, her father had set up the estate so Mr. Chase could easily disburse monies into their standing merchant accounts while he was gone. Essentially, with this bit of effort on Mr. Chase’s behalf, the estate could run by itself—except for dealing with tenants and daily practical matters, which she had done. And it meant nothing that Gabriel Montclair knew of these arrangements. Her father could have mentioned it to anyone. It certainly did not mean Montclair could brashly come in and usurp Ravensbrook’s financial reins.
    He said, “It was his desire that I relieve Mr. Chase of that burden. I understand the running of an estate, as I own one myself. I am qualified for the job, Lady Lucinda.”
    “I don’t care if you’re qualified to juggle melons, Mr. Montclair. You will not touch one pence of my father’s money. Strike that. My money.”
    A muscle tightened in his jaw. “Mr. Chase will decide that.”
    Incensed, Lucinda rose to her feet. “Father’s letter to Mr. Chase states this?”
    “It does.”
    She pounced. “You’ve opened it, then.”
    “No. He told me what he wrote.”
    “Did he?” More s uspicion flared , followed quickly by anger. “Or did you force him to write it, Mr. Montclair? What other liberties will you pretend he granted you? Perhaps in the event of my death, the entire estate will fall to you. Is that it?”
    To his credit, he looked shocked. “No.”
    “Prove it.” Swiftly, she swept by him, and then waited, arms folded, out in the hall. “Show me the letter Father wrote to Mr. Chase.”
    “It is sealed.”
    Lucinda smiled. “And if the seal is broken, your claims will prove worthless.”
    For a long moment he watched her steadily, his breaths even. “You have quite an imagination, Lady Lucinda.”
    “No more outlandish than you showing up on my doorstep with all of these outrageous claims. Suddenly you, a stranger, are to become guardian to me and trustee of the entire estate. I don’t know you from Adam, Mr. Montclair. Excuse me if I don’t take your word as gospel.”
    “Come with me tomorrow when I visit the solicitor. You may read your father’s letter as soon as Mr. Chase is finished.”
    He sounded so calm, so reasonable. “I will read the letter, you may be sure of that. But just because my father penned the words doesn’t mean they were his wishes.”
    Impossibly, his midnight gaze blackened still more. “How could I force your father to write a letter?”
    “How am I to know? You crewed on a pirate ship—isn’t that what you said?” She didn’t give him time to respond. “At the very least, you sailed the Barbary coast on a barbaric ship. You admitted that already. I have no doubt you learned all sorts of torture devices while on that unsavory scow.” Another disturbing detail flashed to mind. “You said you’re half French. Perhaps you are part of the French Navy. You captured my father and…and forced him…”
    “To appoint me guardian of a belligerent, unmannered girl? Truly, that is an assignment I have always wished.” Black sarcasm cut through his words.
    She flushed. “No. But to gain control of his estate…”
    Riel gave an abrupt bow. “I will take my leave before I say something I regret. Good evening, Lady Lucinda.”
    Muscular shoulders tense, he brushed by her, and strode down the hall. He took the stairs two at a time, and then Lucinda heard the hard clomp of his boots overhead.
    Quick breaths still heaved in her bosom. She felt a