Hart's Passion (Pirates & Petticoats Book 2) by Chloe Flowers Page B

wounded leg, and she by several pounds of chain. She picked up her pace, praying her speed would win out.
    Zigzagging through the streets of Charleston, she was careful to stay in the shadows. Before long, her chest burned, and her legs screamed with fatigue.  
    She shifted the chain to her other arm. While Landon’s black coat offered a small amount of camouflage in the dark night, it chafed painfully against her flayed back. She wanted badly to remove it, but her pale skin and white chemise would glow like a firefly at midnight.  
    She and her father had stayed with Jared and Sarah in their Charleston house the first month after they arrived. She’d visited the market by the waterfront quite a few times with her aunt. They had also shopped for supplies, such as copperas for disinfecting, and indigo, gypsum, sugar loaves for the kitchen, and dozens of other items, which led them to all corners of town. Surely, she’d notice something familiar soon.  
    Although it was difficult in the dark, she finally passed the apothecary where Aunt Sarah purchased needed herbs and remedies. She allowed herself a sigh of relief and a brief moment to catch her breath. Not much farther to go.
    More confident now, she weaved her way through the streets, backtracking only once until, she found the house. A hastily roused house servant spoke through the door, “What you want at dis late hour?” he demanded.
    “It’s me, Keelan Grey. I need your help.”
    The door flung open, the slave peered closer. His face froze in shock. “Miss Keelan? Dat you?”
    Simon! Thank goodness!
    “Yes, Simon, it’s me.”
    Simon swung the door wide. “What’s happened to you, Miss Keelan? Come in! Mr. Grey is here. Want me to hustle up to wake him, or should I fetch Ruth?”
    “No!” Keelan answered quickly. Jared would lock her up again, and she’d be no better off than before. She hastily added. “I-I prefer Jared not see me.”
    The slave nodded in understanding. “Of course, Miss Keelan. I’ll get Ruth to help you.”
    “Thank you, but I desperately need to get word to Daniel.”
    “He ain’t in da house. Don’ know what he done wrong dis time, but Mr. Grey locked him up in the barn.”
    “Oh.” Keelan said. “I…Simon, I need your help.”
    “Yes, Miss Keelan I can see dat. Stay here.” The servant moved quickly down the hallway.
    She waited a moment, not sure what Simon had in mind. Surely he wouldn’t rouse Jared? Her stomach dropped, and her heart began to pound harder. She put her hand on the door handle and gave it a turn just as Simon reappeared.
    “Here, Miss Keelan,” he whispered. “Just leave it in the tack room door, and I’ll put it back.”
      He pressed a key into her hand. A swell of relief softened her shoulders. She gave him a quick nod. “Thank you, Simon. I won’t forget this.”  
    “Stay safe, Miss Keelan.” He reached around her and pulled the door open.
    She slipped outside and darted to the darkened barn.

    “Daniel?” she whispered. “Daniel?”
    “Mistress! Is that you?” he responded in a muffled whisper. The barn was dusty and dark. The night offered only the slightest sliver of moonlight.
    “Where are you?” She peered into the darkness.
    His voice became a little louder. “In the tack room.”  
    She followed the sound of his voice. Keelan couldn’t help glancing over her shoulder. She expected Gampo to emerge from every shadow and every corner. “Why did he lock you in?” She worked the key in the door, but the lock didn’t turn.  
    “Because you went missing. Jared got up and checked your room and found you gone. I’ve been so worried about you. Where have you been?”
    Stubborn lock. Did Simon give her the wrong key? “I don’t have time to explain,” she answered. “We have to get away from here now . I’m being followed, I’m sure of it.” The lock clicked, and she jerked open the door.  
    “Thank goodness,” she said.
    “Who?” Daniel stepped out. “Who’s