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

was delivering a letter… to whom? About what? None would keep him safe enough. It was best to simply tell the truth.
    “I sent Slaney back to England to secure the documents which I promised Papa I would retrieve.”
    Her uncle paused and shook his head at her. “Keelan, we discussed this.”
    There was no reason to keep her secret any longer. Perhaps, if Uncle Jared understood that she wasn’t actually a blood relative, he’d relinquish his guardianship. If only he’d believe her.
    “He said they’d explain the identity of my true sire.” The words seemed to stick in her throat and she paused a moment to clear it before continuing, “You see, Uncle Jared, Papa confessed to me that I’m the illegitimate child of my mother and another man. I’m not even his kin.”
    Jared’s face reddened. “Nonsense!” He stepped forward and grasped her hands. “Keelan, my dear, you must understand, your father was not in his right mind at the time of his death. He’d been babbling the night he died even before Sarah came to get you.” He gently squeezed her hands. “Of course you are his daughter. I have a document signed by him stating I am his daughter’s legal guardian in the event of his death. He also left a will in his desk stating Twin Pines goes to you as your dowry.”
    Keelan drew her brows together in confusion. “Before he died, he told me he left everything to you. He wanted me to return to England and find my father.”  
    His composure softened a little more. “Don’t take the ramblings of a dying man as any more than what they actually were: simply ramblings.”
    The night Papa had died, he did seem to have trouble staying in the present, but she had the signet ring he had given her weeks earlier and the tiny portrait of the man in the locket who bore such a striking resemblance to her. Why would he have those items if it wasn’t true?
    Those two objects could not be explained away. If she showed Jared the ring and the locket, he’d probably believe her story. But what if he took them from her? She’d have no way to prove who she was to her father when she found him..  
    Jared must have taken her silence as acquiescence to his way of thinking. He let her hands go, leaned in, and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Your father cared about you, Keelan. He wanted you to have a secure future.”
    “I cannot, I will not marry Pratt,” she said. Her heart belonged to another.
    He expelled a loud sigh. “I’ll not force you, although I pray, please take the time to contemplate the security of a life with him against the alternatives. You may, of course, stay with us as long as you wish. We can sell Twin Pines to Pratt outright, then do what we can with the funds to see to your comfort, or continue with the plan to lease it. Let’s discuss this when I return. I should like you to assist me with the proposal before I take it to my barrister, should we decide to sell.”
    Thank goodness, he understood. Hopefully, he’ll leave quickly and she and Daniel could still escape to the wharf and find Slaney’s ship.
    He turned toward the door. “I must find my daughter first. Once I locate Doreen and that rascal, Garrison, I will deal with Pratt and the rest.” He paused, then addressed Simon. “Keep her here until I return.” He spoke to her, although he didn’t dare make eye contact. “I’m sorry Keelan, but I have to insure that you’ll be here when I return, and not make some impetuous decision that will endanger your life.”
    “Uncle Jared, I beg of you—”
    He left, locking the door behind him.
    She stared at it, not quite believing what had just occurred. For a moment, she’d thought she had convinced him to allow her the freedom she desired. It would be harder to accomplish her goal, but not impossible.
    “I’m sorry, Miss Keelan,” Simon said through the door.  
    “I’ll be fine, Simon.” She hoped. “Will you please tell Daniel I need to speak with him?”
    “Yes Miss Keelan.”