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.He wore itnow and Anthony let his eyes travel over the handsomeburgundy velvet and the expertly tied white cravat at hisneck.In the captain's opinion, he was more beautiful thanhe'd ever seen him.Quite suddenly the violet eyes wateredand Francois lowered his head, letting the tears fall.Anthony immediately reached out and touched his chinwith his fingers, raising it just enough to look into the eyeshe loved so much."Please don't, mon ange.Just the thought of lettingyou go tomorrow is killing me.In this last week, you'vebecome everything to me." Francois' tears continued to falland the pain grew in Anthony's chest."It's just& I will miss you, Captain." He heardFrancois try to cover the small sob that forced its way outanyway."I can't bear to go back to that place.I will think of104The Slave's Mask Patricia Loganyou always and I will never find& " He let the words trailoff.Anthony reached into his jacket and pulled out a velvetpurse.He pushed it across the table to Francois andwatched as Francois delicately lifted it.The boy's eyesgrew wide."I couldn't bear the thought of you going back there.There is enough money in there for you to get by on whileyou learn a trade of some sort.You will stay in theseapartments where you can be comfortable until my return.My solicitor here in London takes care of the monthly billsso you are not responsible for that.By the time I return toEngland in six months' time, you will probably be gainfullyapprenticed somewhere.Do not say that you won't take themoney.I can see it in your eyes, Francois.I know you bynow." Anthony frowned across the table as the boy noddedback at him."I will take it, Anthony.Please just& just know thatI will be waiting for your return.In six months?" Francoisasked timidly.Anthony couldn't help but smile.Hecaressed Francois' lovely face again and nodded."Come here, angel." He patted his lap.Francoisleapt up and ran around the table to him.He instantlycircled his arms around Anthony's neck, sat on his lap andlooked deeply into his eyes.The love in Francois' eyes wasbreathtaking.Anthony stared right back at him and smiled105The Slave's Mask Patricia Loganwidely."Six months or less, my sweet." He leaned forwardand kissed Francois for all he was worth, letting his fingersstray into the silky white blond strands of his hair.Francoisopened his mouth and Anthony's tongue slid deep inside,tangling with his young lover's.Francois moaned intoAnthony's mouth and the captain's heart swelled with somuch love and desire that he thought he would burst.Howcan I leave you, my love? He was determined to hurry backafter dropping his cargo.Finally, Francois pulled away.Hiseyes swam with tears."I love you, Anthony," he whispered.Anthonyleaned forward and kissed his quivering lips."I love you too, mon ange.I promise I'll be back asswift as the currents bring me," the captain replied.Hepulled Francois tightly against him and hugged him close,closing his eyes as he kissed the top of his silky head.I promise to be back swiftly, angel.I promise.106The Slave's Mask Patricia LoganCHAPTER NINECaptain Anthony Charles and the Tempest madegood time in their crossing.He estimated if things went hisway, he would be back in the arms of his sweet littlesubmissive within just a few months.What he didn't takeinto consideration, though always a concern, was runningsmack dab into a net of Union ships when he reenteredblockaded waters.Sailing at night as he always did, he'dnever before run into a Union ship.As his heart sunk, alongwith all of his well laid plans, he ran into more than eventhe experienced captain could take on.His ship wasboarded when he was ordered to drop anchor or have hisship blown to bits and Captain Charles suddenly became aConfederate prisoner.A week later, after a violent interrogation whereAnthony refused to give up the names of his contacts in theConfederacy, he was painfully shackled, both by ankle andwrist, and sitting in a jail car on a train headed north toAlton Federal Prison in Illinois.A Union officer sat directlyacross from him, his rifle slung haphazardly across his lap.Anthony's eyes tried to avoid the mocking smile the manwore."Yep," he said."You'll be lucky to avoid the107The Slave's Mask Patricia Loganhangman, Captain.They hang blockaders you know [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]