Tyndall - The Liberty Bride

Love and liberty sail the high seas in this thrilling tale of traitors, treason, and tyranny during Americas Second War of Independencethe War of 1812. When it comes to historical fiction, no oneand I do mean no onecharts a course for romantic adventure like MaryLu Tyndall, the Queen of the Seas when it comes to love, liberty, and the pursuit of a story that will steal both your heart and your sleep.

Julie Lessman, award-winning author of The Daughters of Boston, Winds of Change, and Isle of Hope series

The Liberty Bride has all the ingredients of a great Tyndall readrichly-textured historical setting, feisty heroine, strong and honorable hero, all interwoven with a thread of unyielding faith. Ive long been a fan of her work, and this one did not disappoint!

Shannon McNear, 2014 RITA finalist and author of The Cumberland Bride

You only need to read one line on the back cover of MaryLu Tyndalls latest novel, The Liberty Bride, to know she has once again given readers a swashbuckling adventure of romance and intrigue that she is so admired for. Who can resist the tale of a woman captive aboard a British warship, while her allegiances are tested and a romance grows for a first lieutenant? I know I cant.

Rita Gerlach, author of the Daughters of the Potomac Series and other Christian romances

MaryLu Tyndall never fails to deliver a spine-tingling, faith-inspiring story. The Liberty Bride is no exception. From page one, through many dangerous adventures to a satisfying conclusion, this novel will thrill and delight Tyndalls readers and have them eagerly anticipating her next epic tale.

Louise M. Gouge, award-winning historical romance author

In true MaryLu Tyndall fashion, MaryLu gives her readers another exciting adventure on the sea. Danger lurks around every corner and suspense on every page. This is one you wont want to miss!

Debbie Lynne Costello, Amazon #1 seller

Print ISBN 978-1-68322-617-8

eBook Editions:

Adobe Digital Edition (.epub) 978-1-68322-619-2

Kindle and MobiPocket Edition (.prc) 978-1-68322-618-5

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes, except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without written permission of the publisher.

All scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the authors imagination or used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual people, organizations, and/or events is purely coincidental.

Cover Photography: Lee Avison/Trevillion Images

Published by Barbour Books, an imprint of Barbour Publishing, Inc., 1810 Barbour Drive, Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683, www.barbourbooks.com

Our mission is to inspire the world with the life-changing message of the Bible.

Printed in the United States of America.

William Lytton married Mary Elizabeth Chapman (Plymouth, 1621)

Parents of 13 children, including Benjamin

Benjamin Lytton married Temperance Prescott (Massachusetts, 1668)

Born to Benjamin and Temperance

Henry Lytton married Rebecca Adams (New York, 1712)

Children were Goodwill and Amity

Amity Lytton married Black-Fox-Running, a Mohawk warrior (New York, 1737)

Only child was Mercy Lytton (aka Kahente)

Mercy Lytton married Elias Dubois (Massachusetts, 1759)

Children included Charlotte

Charlotte Dubois married Herbert Baratt (Maryland, 1788)

Children included Emeline

The Atlantic Ocean off the
Coast of Virginia,
August 6, 1814

W hat would it feel like to drown to float listlessly down down beneath the chilled waters of the Atlantic? To feel salty fingers wrap around you, their deadly talons tugging you farther into the murky darkness, your lungs burning until they screamed for air that would never come until finally, cloaked in a silent, peaceful tomb, you floated into eternity.

Emeline Baratt pondered these things as she gazed upon the dark waves from the larboard railing of her fathers merchant brigor rather, privateerCharlotte. The pondering sliced an icy knife down her back. Was it the thought of dying or the chilled mist of the morning that caused her to suddenly draw the warmth of her cloak tighter about her neck? Perhaps both.

Unable to sleep as usual, shed come up on deck just before dawn. It was the only time of day she was left unhindered by the many sailors on board who felt it their duty to protect and entertain their employers daughter. On her long journey across the pond from Calais, France, shed endured more than enough male attention to last a lifetime. Whether their desire for her was motivated by her dowry, their need for a wife to take care of them, or her exquisite beautyas many of them claimed she possessedshe did not know. Nor did she care. As far back as she could remember, she had never wanted to marry.

A sliver of a moon frowned its disappointment down upon her. A scowl with which she was quite familiar, having seen it enough on her fathers face whenever shed dared to tell him of her dreams. Mockery always preceded his frustration, a complete dismissal of all that was important to her. Yet she knew he meant well. He wanted to see her settled and cared for. He wanted grandchildren. And while he didnt voice it, she knew he wanted to be free of the burden of her support.

At two and twenty, you should be married with a bevy of wee ones frolicking about your skirts, he had told her after hed discovered her painting away the afternoon. It is the godly and proper station for womenraising children and caring for a husband. Not wasting your time with frivolous art that will never sell.

That frivolous art was the most beautiful seascape shed ever painted and a secret commission from the mayors wife, whod admired Emelines work from afar.

She never finished it. The next day her father whisked her overseas to Brighton to spend a year with her great-aunt, a wealthy daughter of a baron.

What you need is a womans influence, someone to teach you how to be a proper lady. He waved his hand through the air and huffed. Perhaps youll even find a husband. God knows youve rejected every eligible gentleman in Baltimore.

Indeed she had. A smile lifted her lips at the memory of those suitors vying for her affections like puppies for their mothers milk. But she would not be any mans pet. Why tie yourself down to a life of endless scrubbing and mending and cooking and tending? Shed done enough of that in the past fourteen years caring for her father and two brothers after her mother died and then most recently her aunt. If that was to be her life, what was the point?

She gazed at the churning water again.

She could jump.

The brig pitched over a wave, sending the deck tilting and wood creaking, jarring her from her morbid thoughts. Gripping the railing tighter, she sighed and gazed at the blanket of golden light swaddling the horizon, fluttering threads of gold and azure over the inky swells. Soon the deck would be abuzz with sailors, joining the two night watchmen and helmsman standing at the wheel. Soon she would have to go below to spend her final day at sea cooped up in a cabin the size of a privy closet. At least she had her charcoal and paper to keep her busy.