Within A Captain's Treasure. Lisa A. Olech

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      Cover Copy

      This pirate’s latest prize may be love…

      With a single pistol shot and the swing of a cutlass, Alice Tupper saves her mistress’s life. But no lady’s maid in polite society has ever killed a duke—at least, not on purpose. So Alice sets sail for America and her new destiny—only to find herself battling pirates on the high seas. Aboard her rescue ship, The Scarlet Night, she is hailed a hero and earns her place among the crew…as well as the ire of Captain Gavin Quinn.

      Gavin chose this pirate’s life, but he knows it’s no place for a woman, especially one as exasperating—and beautiful—as Alice. Despite his desire for her, Gavin is determined to do the right thing and deliver her to the new world. But Alice’s deepest wish is a life by Gavin’s side. Will his heart overrule his sense, and will he risk everything to pursue his greatest treasure of all?

      WITHIN A CAPTAIN’S TREASURE

      A Captains of the Scarlet Night Novel

      Visit us at www.kensingtonbooks.com

      Books by Lisa A. Olech

      Captains of the Scarlet Night

      Within A Captain’s Hold

      Within A Captain’s Treasure

      Published by Kensington Publishing Corporation

      Within A Captain’s Treasure

      A Captains of the Scarlet Night Novel

      Lisa A. Olech

      LYRICAL PRESS

      Kensington Publishing Corp.

      www.kensingtonbooks.com

      Copyright

      Lyrical Press books are published by

      Kensington Publishing Corp. 119 West 40th Street New York, NY 10018

      Copyright © 2016 by Lisa A. Olech

      All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

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      To the extent that the image or images on the cover of this book depict a person or persons, such person or persons are merely models, and are not intended to portray any character or characters featured in the book.

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      Kensington Publishing Corp.

      119 West 40th Street

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      Kensington and the K logo Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.

      Lyrical Press and the L logo are trademarks of Kensington Publishing Corp.

      First Electronic Edition: May 2016

      eISBN-13: 978-1-61650-973-6

      eISBN-10: 1-61650-973-2

      First Print Edition: May 2016

      eISBN-13: 1978-1-61650-974-3

      eISBN-10: 1-61650-974-0

      Printed in the United States of America

      Dedication

      To Benjamin and Timothy

      Acknowledgements

      I’d like to thank Kensington Lyrical for believing in these stories. They are dear to my heart, and I’m thrilled to be able to bring them to my readers.

      I’d also like to thank my agent, Dawn Dowdle and her crew, my editor, Amanda Siemen, and my amazing critique partner, Kathy Hills. You’ve all made this book so much more than simply words on a page, you’ve helped me breathe life into these characters. I am forever grateful.

      Chapter 1

      Portsmouth, England 1686

      Alice Tupper refused to look back. As the Olivia Grace pulled away from its docking, she didn’t line the gunwales with the others waving farewell to England. She stood at the farthest point of the bow instead, pulled her woolen shawl tight about her shoulders, and lifted her face to the freshness of the open sea. Her gaze rested on the thin line where the sea and the sky lay atop one another like lovers—that was where her new life would begin.

      “Good day, Mistress Tupper. Ye’ve stolen my favorite place to stand.”

      Alice turned and grinned at Captain Fredericks. He was a joyous soul who’d already won the hearts of his passengers. Albert Fredericks reminded her of Father Christmas after indulging in an overabundance of plum pudding.

      “I’ve only sailed twice, but I love standing here as the ship cuts through the water. It creaks and pops and pulls against the rigging like a bridle. When the sails fill, it’s as if she breaks into a gallop.” She ran her hands along the polished rails and fittings. “I envy you your time at sea. Once I arrive in Virginia, I imagine I’ll never sail again.” She gave him a quick smile over her shoulder. “Governesses aren’t known for their exotic travels.”

      “Well, then, you’re welcome at my bow anytime.” He patted her shoulder and leaned close. “Ye can’t tell, those children ye’ve been sent to care for might need to see more of the world than their back porch.”

      “I hadn’t thought of that.” She smiled at the dear man. He winked and gave her arm a gentle squeeze.

      Over their first days at sea, the other passengers became a tight-knit group, but Alice was hesitant to get too close with any of them. She preferred her books, long hours on deck, and keeping her secrets tucked away. To them she was a simple Englishwoman from northern Weatherington heading to take a new position along the coast of Virginia.

      A young girl named Milly made a point to seek her out. The child was terribly lonely but bright as a new copper coin. She’d been sent for by her father, and her excitement to join him in America was contagious. The old woman he’d hired as her traveling companion, however, had spent more time being sick over the rails than she had keeping the girl company.

      “It’s all so thrilling, don’t you think, Mistress Tupper? Two adventurous women like ourselves out on the ocean miles from anywhere.” Milly hugged herself. “What do you suppose Virginia will be like?”

      “I only know I’m to live on a fine tobacco plantation. Do you think they’ll make their new governess learn how to smoke a pipe?” Alice liked teasing the girl. Her pale blue eyes would twinkle with mischief.

      Milly giggled. “Or one of those fat smelly cigars with the gold ring around the middle.”

      “Yes. And I’d smoke it clear to the ring in one breath and blow enough smoke rings to make a chain.”

      Milly laughed and hugged her. Her companion only groaned and retched.

      Alice twisted at the beautiful ring she wore. It was buttery gold, and not made of smoke. She ran her finger over the A carved into the face with a tiny pearl cradled in the tail of the initial. Her only true treasure. A farewell gift from her best friend, Annalise. She’d presented it to Alice the night before she left for her voyage.