Captive Embraces by Fern Michaels Page A

above his head. And he loved us to a fault.”
    â€œAnd it was from him you learned the ways of the sea?”
    â€œYes. Isabella and I were very different in nature.” Sirena’s voice became husky with emotion.
    â€œIf it pains you to speak of her, Capitana, I will understand.”
    â€œNo, Jan. It has been so long since I have spoken of Isabella, though she is never very far from my thoughts. When we became of age, Isabella and I were sent to the convent school. She was the model of decorum while I... I was...”
    Jan smiled. “I can imagine. I can see where the good nuns had their hands full with you.”
    â€œHow right you are,” Sirena laughed, and picked up her mug for another swallow of coffee. “In fact, it reached a point where my father was implored to take me out of the school. Isabella remained behind with the nuns and I traveled the world aboard my father’s ships. It was from him I learned to sail the seas. Tutors were brought aboard to teach me, and my father insisted that I excel in my studies. While he pampered me in almost every way thinkable, he was, nevertheless, a taskmaster. If I did poorly with my studies, I was forbidden my turn at the wheel or my lesson in fencing. These things I savored, so it wasn’t often I gave my tutors any trouble. Summers, Isabella would travel with us. It was she who tried to undo my hellion ways by showing me the manners of a lady. Poor Isabella, how often I would hear her say that I was giving her gray hair at the tender age of twelve! You see, Jan, I was surrounded by gentle, loving people and my early years were very happy.”
    â€œAye, I can see that. Was it on a voyage with your father that you came to the Indies?”
    â€œNo.” Sirena’s eyes became overcast again. “If my father were sailing this ship, the fates wouldn’t have turned against us as they did. Tio Juan was a businessman and knew very little about commanding a crew. My father had already died. It was due to a drunken, stupid captain that the Rana was attacked by pirates and the lives of Tio Juan and Isabella were lost.” Sirena’s last words were whispered, charged with sadness. She would never forget what had happened to them on that cursed day. A happenstance that had changed her life forever.
    Frau Holtz burst into the galley. “Mevrouw, if you are to go ashore, it would be best if you began to dress. You can’t go about the city dressed in the gown you are wearing, it is not befitting someone of your station.”
    Sirena glanced down at the drab, light woolen gown she had hastily donned over her sea costume before they sailed into port. “Yes, I’m coming, Frau Holtz. I was just reminiscing with Jan.” Placing her mug down on the rough-hewn table, Sirena stood up resignedly. “While I am changing, Jan, take a walk on the dock and find out what you can about Regan’s ship. I won’t leave the Rana until you report back.”
    As Sirena pushed her head through the delicate lace camisole which covered her stays, Frau Holtz went about getting her shoes and gossamer stockings. “Do you think Jan will learn anything about the Mynheer’s whereabouts?” the housekeeper asked. Sirena noted that the woman was very careful to omit the very real likelihood that Regan might have gone down with his ship.
    â€œFairly certain. I told Jan to check in with the harbormaster. Most assuredly, if anyone knows the circumstances surrounding Regan’s ship, that official does. I imagine it’s only a matter of time now and I’ll come face to face with my husband.” Sirena tried to make her voice as casual as possible but a glimmer of her anxiety came through.
    â€œ Ja , most certainly, the harbor master will know,” the Frau agreed. “Am I to believe you no longer think the Mynheer has tricked you, Mevrouw?”
    â€œYes. After thinking many hard hours on it, Regan would