Conlan's Choice

By Charissa Taylor Lees

Conlan walked into a party looking to sell his wares and walks out engaged. Breanna needs someone to keep her safe while her father attempts to stop the slavery trade. Conlan places Breanna where he hopes no one can find her and then abandons her there. Knowing the slavers are looking for her, he must find a way to stop the trade on the high seas with the help of his friend, The Falcon, or risk losing Breanna forever. While Conlan can be enjoyed as a short story on its own, the majority of the story happens during the time frame of The Guardian’s Star’s True Captain and is the third book in the series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Charissa Taylor Lees
• Release date: Jul 13, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311651266

Charissa Taylor Lees

I have been writing fiction since my homeschooling days. I love coming up with new places to visit and stories to tell. Reading has always been a favorite pastime, along with acting and that love of imagination has become a way of life for me. I usually write in the fantasy, action/adventure, and romance genres.I grew up in a Christian home and graduated from Philadelphia Biblical University. I have also served in the US Army National Guard and recently got married. I found many adventures in life, yet still love to escape to the world of writing. I hope you will enjoy going on that adventure with me!

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Conlan's Choice

By Charissa Taylor Lees

Copyright © 2014 Charissa Taylor Lees

Smashwords Edition

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Conlan's

Choice

Charissa Taylor Lees

Table of Contents

Prologue ~ The Proposal

Chapter 1 ~Escape

Chapter 2 ~ Long Trip

Chapter 3 ~ Friends

Chapter 4 ~ Trouble

Chapter 5 ~ Rescue

Chapter 6 ~ Next

Chapter 7 ~ Plans

About the Author

Connect Online

More Books

Excerpt from Aiden

Prologue

The Proposal

Conlan Rider pushed open the double glass doors and ambled into the large garden. The music floated behind him with laughter from the dancing partners. He never did like dancing. The parties weren't too bad, as a merchant selling goods from foreign countries, they were kind of a requirement. Still, no one should be forced to dance.

He breathed in the fresh night air, highly tinged with the scent of blooming flowers. As he sipped his drink, he meandered through some of the maze-like hedge passages. It was good to clear his head for a moment. He had just made a deal to sell one of his larger pieces from Renata and he figured he owed himself a break from the female laughter.

It wasn't that he was considered to be a bad catch, but he wasn't the best either. He held no title and he actually worked for his living, even if it was as a merchant. Still, it was his looks that usually drove the women closer. His sand streaked blond hair and chocolate brown eyes with his lanky muscular body seemed to draw them in. He could almost hear his mother's voice in the back of his mind, chiding him to be thankful for all things and not conceited. He smiled at the thought. Yet, the girls' constant twitter made him almost wish his looks pushed them away, almost.

Then again, there were times he was glad he didn't look like a scarred pirate.

The girl looked about his age. She bent over slightly to smell one of the area's custom flowers. Her dark brown hair was pulled back from her face with ornamental clips. Her eyes closed as she enjoyed the scent and the smile on her face was of pure delight. The moonlight kissed her form and gave the scene before him an otherworldly feel.

He coughed lightly, so as not to startle her, since she obviously had not heard his approach. Her head dipped slightly as if to recognize he was there, but she didn't move until her breath expelled the scent of the flower from her nose. Gently, she allowed the violet and pink bloom to settle back into its spot. Only then, did she straighten to glance at him. She was only a few inches shorter than he was. Thin to his lanky, but a beauty in every way.

And you are? She questioned. Her tone was not highborn, but curious and cautious.

My name is Conlan, my Lady. He replied with a slight bow.

She dipped a quick curtsy. I am Lady Breanna Hanway.

The name seemed familiar and he took a moment to process. Hanway… you are the Count's daughter then?

She nodded. That is correct.

I have sold a few pieces to him. He is a good man, Conlan commented, a picture of the Count coming to his mind as well as the table and sword he had sold. He had met the Count on many different occasions and always enjoyed their talks.

Breanna smiled. You are smart to praise my father. She spoke with obvious fondness for him. Did you find the party to be to much for you?

The party no, the dancing, however, is a different story. I have never been much for formal dances, Conlan admitted easily.

Neither have I, but there are ways to make it amusing. She smiled mischievously.

Oh? This girl might hold a few surprises, perhaps the evening would not be to boring.

Why, yes, haven't you ever taken time to notice all the subtle going ons at one of these delightful functions? She asked in a secretive voice.

For a moment, Conlan got the feeling she was testing him to see if he was worthy of holding her attention. This girl intrigued him more each second. I am usually scouting the room for subtle clues of someone willing to purchase one of my items. But I seem to have the feeling your subtleties are more interesting, please do tell.

She laughed and started to walk down the pathway and Conlan matched his pace to hers as she started to talk.

Why, it is a dance within a dance. While there is dancing on the floor, there are others as well. The man ever trying to get closer to the girl he likes, only to have her swooped away by someone else at the last second and the girl who moves around the room at precisely timed points to avoid another such man. The maids get close enough to hear the men's conversations, so they can report to their mistress who it is about. Meanwhile, the children sneak under the table to watch the festivities while the nanny is distracted by all the colorful gowns. Then there are the young girls who group together twittering about the older and the older pretending not to size up their new rivals. But, my personal favorite is the girl who steps on her dancing partner's foot simply to get away.

I take it you have never done the last one, Conlan commented, smiling.

Me? Breanna's face look gracefully shocked. I would never lower myself to such limits. It is so much more fun to twirl them into someone's drink.

Conlan laughed out loud. My Lady, you are full of surprises.

Breanna smiled slightly. Yes.

Are you all right, my Lady? Conlan questioned, trying to figure out if he had said the wrong thing.

I'm fine. Breanna's smile brightened, as if it had never dimmed. And what keeps you amused at these functions? I believe you said you sell items?

Conlan nodded. I am a merchant. I specialize in items from foreign countries.

You must be quite the world traveler than, Breanna commented.

I have been to many different places, he admitted. I enjoy the sea and the different lands. It is selling the wares that is tedious.

I hope you are able to sell much here, Breanna said politely.

Poole is always a good place for me to be, especially when court is in session as it is now. There is no better place to meet the peerage than the capital city at this time.

Breanna stopped walking as the glass doors came back into view. I hope you find that your wares move easily.

You and I both. Conlan smiled.

There you are! A voice called from the doorway.

The two looked up to see an older man approaching them. He was somewhere in his mid-fifties and had a regal bearing to him. His silver hair glinted in the moonlight and his weathered face, which looked as if it was usually smiling, seemed worried now. I have been searching everywhere for you.

I'm all right, Father. I just needed some fresh air. I was only gone a moment. Breanna stepped to his side.

He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close for a quick hug. A moment is all that is needed, my dear. You must be more careful.

I was cautious to keep close, but I really needed a break. Or did you not see Viscount Gerhuld in there? Breanna's noise wrinkled.

Her father laughed, as he dropped his arm. Yes, I saw him. I also saw less of you after I noticed him.

Creepy old man, Breanna muttered.

Breanna! Her father laughed again.

Conlan stood watching amused, but slightly embarrassed at the father daughter moment. He needed to make a gracious exit. I am sorry if I kept her, Your Grace. I was in need of some air myself.

Count Erol Hanway turned to look at Conlan with a smile. Not a problem, my boy. I know she was safe with you. However, she should have at least warned me she was going out. These are dangerous times.

Conlan frowned. How so, Your Grace?

The Count studied him for a moment then glanced back at daughter, who gave him a worried look. Making whatever decision he had been contemplating, the Count responded, How much do you keep up on the happenings of Zerlinda, Conlan?

Only so much as they deal with myself and my wares. Why?

I am in court now trying to put a stop to the slave trade. I have been rather outspoken about it and there are those who are not thrilled with my new mission, Hanway admitted.

I can see why. The slave trade has been in Zerlinda since she was formed. Many thrive on it, especially the traders. And the nobility have just as many slaves as anyone else.

Well, not in their town homes, but at their estates, that is true. Most leave the running of their estates to their serf lord and claim not to have direct knowledge. It is considered unacceptable, and yet if it isn't in their faces, they prefer to let it be. I am making that rather impossible for them, Hanway explained. I abhor the practice, but of late I have felt burdened by God to take up their cause. I know this is the mission He would have me fulfill, however, it has caused… dangers to my home life.

Dangers? Conlan questioned, glancing at Breanna, but her full attention was on her father.

Yes. Because as of yet, I have little support, the slavers have deemed that if they are to be left alone, then I must be eliminated. I have guards and this would not be an issue for me, except… the older man paused.

Except, now they are coming after me, Breanna finished.

Conlan looked at her in surprise. You?

They wish to use me as leverage against my father. His silence for my life or something like that. Breanna's voice held her disgust at the thought.

No wonder your father doesn't want you in the garden alone, Conlan commented.

Breanna shot him a look that said, be quiet.

Conlan smiled, but there was no humor in it. I am sorry for your situation, Your Grace. God does not give us missions we cannot handle, but that is often hard to remember when those we love are threatened.

The count nodded slowly. There was quiet for a few moments as the Count pondered something and then a gleam came into his eye that Conlan barely saw before he spoke. "Would you