Description:
Gregory Brennan's only regret from his decision of protection his brother from Jack Hale is having to live without Monica Harris. The love of his life who is again within his reach but being used to lure him onto the island of St. Matthew's and into the hands of the Royal Navy.
Monica Harris must find a way to convice her father of Gregory's innocence or escape the island of St. Matthew's to be with the man she loves.
Dunstan Brennan is forced to deal with the loss of his best friend, Remi de Troyes, and the betrayals in every turn of his life. Ones from people he considers allies to the worse one by his own twin brother.
Juliana de Troyes fights to aid both brothers while struggling with her growing feelings for one.
Jack Hale is ever present on the heels of the Brennan brothers, hoping Monica Harris will help him capture Gregory to bring about the final confrontation. One that could be deadly to them all.
CHAPTER ONE
August 1817
Gregory Brennan slowly walked along the stretch of white sand on the small, hideaway island of Sans Souci. A wam breeze lifted a strand gone astray of the tie that bound his long, blonde hair behind his back. His sad, sea green eyes watched the Caribbean sunset spread its brilliant shades of reds, yellows, purples, and golds across the sky where the rock wall met the horizon. The birds sang their night songs from the deep green trees along the beach as they settled in to wait for the darkness to fall. Late evening had brought an end to one more day on their paradise island.
Gregory sighed deeply. He should be happy. Here he was surrounded by all this beauty, warm breezes, and his brother. No danger in sight. Still, there was something missing. Or was it someone. Knowing Monica wsas so close and not married ... Why had she not married? It had been over two years sice they had been separated. Gregory knew she must have had suitors. He could imagine the men she must have had knocking down her door, begging for her hand in marriage. Could it be ... no, he dare not even entertain the idea ... She could not be waiting on him. How his heart wanted to believe such nonsense. He wanted to believe it with every inch of his being. If Gregory thought for one second Monica wanted to be with him, he would take her out from under her father's thumb and bring her here to Sans Souci. Then it truly would be paradise.
Gregory could remember the way she looked at him those two weeks they spent together in England. Her big, blue eyes gazing at him with so much affection. Her smile. Her musical laugh. The way she made him feel as if he was the only man in the world. Saving him from the misery haunting him at the time. Pulling him willingly from the depression dragging him into its dark depths. But everything had changed. The last time he had seen her on the balcony at the Governor's house in Newchester, she had shrunk against the wall in fear at the sight of him. Too scared to even scream for help ... The thought of her wating on him was utter nonsence.
"Here you are, Brother," Dunstan's voice woke him from his thoughts.Gregorystopped and tured toward his brother's voice. He found his twin approaching him from the forest to his left with Terra on his heels. The small dog was a year old now and not much larger than when Gregory had purchased her as his brother's birthday present.
Gregory watched his brother walk toward him as he asked, "Were you looking for me? Is there a problem?"
"No," Dunstan answered, coming to stand beside Gregory, "Only curious why you are wandering around by yourself."
"No special reason," Gregory said softly as he began walking forward.
"I doubt that," laughed Dunstan, following his twin, "I know where your thoughts are."
"You are so sure you know me?" Gregory replied with a slight smile.
"Yes, you are mooning over a fair-skinned, English beauty with dark hair who happens to be ... the noose waiting to hang you for being a pirate."
Gregory shuddered with the thought, "You make it sound so ... so ..."
"Uh, true! Is that the word you are searching for?"
"Dunstan," Gregory breathed and his shoulders dropped in surrender. "I can not stop thinking about her. It has been two years and I still dream of her."
Dunstan placed a supportive arm around Gregory's shoulders and led him toward the compound. "I know, Brother. I just do not know what advise to give you. Except she is your death waiting there in Newchester. You would be better off staying as far away from her as you can."
"Easier said than done, Dunstan," Gregory whispered, lifting his eyes to gaze in the direction of St. Matthew's Island. "Easier said than done."
"Here is some bad news then, dear Brother, I need to return to St. Matthew's to meet with Remi and I can not do it without you."
Gregory sighed heavily.
Dunstan continued, shaking his head with confusion, "I do not understand it but I have this bad feeling. It is as if I am needed there for something."
"No one understands you intuition, Dunstan, but I have learned to follow it."
"Good. Then stay away from Lady Monica while we are there."
Gregory frowned, "She does not wish to see me, Dunstan."
"You know what Cicero said about young women."
"No, Brother, what did he say?"
"Deliver your boats to the sea, but not your soul to a young woman. The seas are more faithful that the faith of a woman."
"It is too late for your advise. Monica already has my soul, along with my heart," Gregory said sadly, "She does not want me."
"Her father and Hale do, however. Dangling from the end of their rope with me right beside you," Dunstan stated with a look of disgust and it was his turn to shudder.
Gregory ginned slyly to his brother, "No man has been able to best us ..."
Dunstan grinned once more and replied lightheartedly, "And no man ever will ..."
"But the love of a good woman ..."
A dreamy look came into Dunstan's eyes, "Ah, women. Now they could be our downfall."
"Always!" Gregory finished the thought and the pair laughed together.