Chapter 104

• PIRATE INVASION
• Lucy watched as Lord Swanton’s ship set sail for England. He rarely left their small island in the West Indies; the trip was long and he’d be away from the plantation for the better part of a year. But he’d received word of a death in the family, something to do with a missing inheritance, and had chartered a ship quickly. She was certainly going to miss him. Even though Lord Swanton was her guardian, he’d been like a father to her all of her life.
• The plantation overseer, Mr. Suggs, had come to her later in the day, wanting to go over some problem with the accounts. She’d handled the affairs in Lord Swanton’s absence before and followed Suggs down to the plantation office. The walk was pleasant, the ocean breeze cool and a light drift of clouds covered the brilliant sun. She’d taken only a light shawl to cover her shoulders, her summer dress billowing behind her in the breeze.