A Gentleman's Debt: Tales of the Red Falcon Short Stories, #3

By Lois Eighmy

When Luca Rosetti returns home, he once again finds himself rejected by his father—this time for being a pirate. No amount of explaining the differences between pirates and privateers will sway the older man, much to Luca's chagrin.

But when Mariano Luchetti, an old enemy, sets his sights on Luca's sister, Kerra -- and the Rosetti fortune -- Luca learns that sometimes one's actions speak louder than words.

Will Luca resort to the roguish tactics he's grown accustomed to while serving aboard Prospero with Captain Sahmi Zamada and his privateers, or will he defeat his enemy as the gentleman he's always been? And when all is said and done, will Luca become the savage brute his father has always accused him of being?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lois Eighmy
• Release date: Mar 28, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386836995

Lois Eighmy

Lois Eighmy is a full-time fantasy and thriller writer. She's also an artist and a fledgling photographer. You can see some of her writing and other creative works on her website at www.loiseighmy.com. She lives in Missouri with her husband, Jeff; her white calico cat, Chloe; and her brindle mutt, Nikita. She dreams of moving anywhere she can experience an annual White Christmas, but is happily working on being content with where she's at in the present. For more information visit: https://www.lmeighmy.com/ You can also connect with Lois at: ~ https://www.facebook.com/LMEighmy ~ https://twitter.com/LMEighmy ~ https://www.instagram.com/lmeighmy/ ~ https://www.pinterest.com/lmeighmy/

Book preview

Home

The gates opened, and Lieutenant Luca Rosetti swallowed hard. He hadn't been home in almost a year. If not for the fact that his younger sister, Kerra, was about to get married, he wouldn’t be here now.

Luca!

He smiled and waved at his sister, then told the driver to halt. A moment later, he stepped down from the carriage and held his arms out to Kerra.

She slipped her hands into his and kissed his cheeks.

You are as beautiful as ever, Kerra, he said, holding her at arm's length.

I am so glad you were able to get away, Luca. The wedding just wouldn't be the same without you.

I'm here. You need only point me in the right direction, and I shall do whatever I can to help make your special day perfect.

Kerra shook her head and her dark curls bounced lightly about her shoulders. I did not bring you here to put you to work. Come. We have much catching up to do.

He grabbed his single bag from the coach, then let his sister pull him toward the main entrance to the family home. A queer sensation overcame him, and he stopped to look up at the columns looming before him, the great arched doorway, the huge windows looking out upon the valley far below.

What is it, Luca? Kerra asked.

It's so large, he murmured. There are many people who have no shelter. They would sacrifice a limb for a tiny fraction of this place.

Yes, but that is their destiny, is it not?

Luca cringed inside. He had believed the same a few months ago, before serving aboard the Prospero with Captain Sahmi Zamada and the rest of the crew. During his time with these rough and rowdy men, he'd learned differently, that the government held the people down through heavy taxation and lack of personal freedom, among other things. He'd come to terms with the fact that the Arconian government was flawed, just as every other man-made institution was.

So, when do I get to meet the fellow lucky enough to win my little sister's heart? he smiled, changing the subject.

Soon, I promise, Kerra assured him. Right now is our time. I want you to tell me all about your adventures at sea. Don't spare a single detail. I want to know everything, no matter how wild. But first, I must have Flora make us some tea.

She'd been pulling him along as she talked, and now, she pushed open the heavy front door.

Again, Luca hesitated. For the briefest of moments, he felt