Jacquie D’Alessandro
Whirlwind Affair
The second book in the Whirlwind series, 2002
This book is dedicated with my love and admiration to Jeannie Pierannunzi for showing me what courage and strength and facing down fears is all about. And for reminding me that every day is a gift to be cherished. Jeannie, it is an honor to be your friend.
And, as always, to my wonderful,
supportive husband Joe- the man of my whirlwind dreams; and my incredible, makes-me-so-proud son, Christopher, aka Whirlwind Junior.
Chapter 1
A shiver snaked down Alberta Brown's spine, and she gripped the Seaward Lady's wood railing. Hoping she appeared outwardly calm, she quickly scanned her surroundings.
Crewmen shouted to one another, laughing as they tossed thick ropes and adjusted sails in preparation for the ship's imminent arrival in London. Voices from the bustling English port drifted over the tangy sea-scented air, blending into an indistinguishable hum. Passengers stood in clusters around the ship's rail, chatting in excited tones, grinning, waving to people on the docks. Everyone appeared perfectly normal and eager at the prospect of stepping on dry land after nearly three months at sea on the voyage from America. No one's gaze appeared fixed upon her.
Still, she could not dismiss the eerie sensation of menace. The weight of someone's stare surrounded her like a shroud. Her heart thumped in slow, hard beats, and she forced herself to draw a deep, calming breath and return her attention to the nearby active port. / am perfectly safe. No one is trying to hurt me.
She prayed to God it was true.
Yet she couldn't banish the sick feeling that it was not. She glanced downward at the froth tossed upon the hull as the ship cut through the gentle waves, and her stomach turned over. Dear God, less than three hours ago she'd fallen into that indigo water…