Savage Conquest (13 page)

"For what? Besides, once you marry Weber, you
won't be living with me any more. So I won't be
forcing Reis's company on you. If you told me the
truth about loving Reis, you' would never marry
Web. I can't believe my own sister would be so
conniving and cruel. Even if you can't marry Reis,
there's no reason to marry just anyone! I'm shocked
by your behavior, Amanda Lawrence, and hurt."

"But you'll be living with me and Web," Amanda
informed her.

Before Miranda could stop herself, she shouted,
"Never!"

Amanda stared at her twin. Should she reveal their
financial situation? Should she expose Weber's
rescue from humiliation and poverty? Without
money and with their property lost, Miranda would
be forced to live with them. "You're thinking only of
yourself, Randy. What about me? Must you be so
hateful to Web?"

"No, Mandy, you're the one being selfish and
dishonest. If I didn't love you above everyone else, I
wouldn't try to prevent this terrible mistake. I can't
pretend I like Weber; I don't. What about Reis,
Mandy? How can you hurt him this way? And how
will Web act if he learns the truth about your
feelings? It's wrong to play with other's lives and
emotions."

"Hurt Reis? If he cared about me, he wouldn't be
chasing after my sister! Don't you see, Randy? He's
after revenge on Weber."

Miranda scoffed sarcastically, "According to
Weber, you mean. You're hurting Reis by acting this
way. I've seen the look in his eyes when he asks about
you; it isn't spite or treachery. Why did you lead him
on, Mandy? He seems bewildered by your stinging
rejection. If revenge is a part of things, it's Weber's
revenge on Reis. Web's keeping you and the business
from Reis. You spent time with Reis; do you honestly
believe he's so evil and cruel? I just can't accept Web's
allegations. I can't understand why you won't give
Reis a chance to explain. It's absurd to refuse a
simple talk which could settle everything. What
makes you so positive you can trust Weber implicitly?" she challenged coldly. "You're a fool if you
discard Reis Harrisonl"

"How do you know so much about me and Reis?"
Amanda asked.

"You always said I was uncannily intuitive," she
retorted slyly.

Amanda knew her sister would try to talk her out of
her self-sacrifice if she revealed the truth. She
couldn't make such a risky confession. Miranda was
too taken with Reis; she might disclose the truth to
him. This situation was becoming more and more
complex. If only her sacrifice didn't include Reis.

Amanda quietly asked, "Are you going after
Reis?"

Miranda came back with a question of her own,
"Are you really going to marry Web?" Each girl
studied the expression of the other.

"Is this some game to make me jealous?" Amanda inquired warily.

Miranda realized her sister wasn't going to tell her
anything vital. To prevent trouble between them,
Miranda ceased the ruse. "To put your mind at ease,
dear sister, it's nothing more than friendship. If I'm
not mistaken, Reis was falling in love with you until
you messed it up between you two. Reis is giving
Luke some information for a book about the war.
You'd be surprised how Reis's version of it differs
from Weber's," she hinted casually. "It's a shame
you're tied to Weber. Reis is quite a catch. The more I
see him, the more I'm convinced you two are perfect
for each other. No, Mandy, I'm not romantically
interested in Reis," she sighed. "Goodnight, Mrs.
Richardson; you should get used to that name. As
you wish, I won't mention Reis again. But it pains
me to realize how much you've changed lately; you
don't even trust me enough to tell me why you're
forcing yourself in a despicable marriage. What hold
does Web have over you?"

Appalled, Amanda questioned, "What do you
mean, Randy?"

"I'm not blind or dim-witted, Mandy. I just wish
you could talk to me like before. If you haven't given
Web your answer yet, please search your heart again.
If I were you, I would ask both men lots of questions
and very soon. If you can't turn to Reis or Luke for
help, then confide in me. We can work out whatever's
bothering you."

"Why do you insist something's wrong? Why
would I need help? With what?" She tested to see it Miranda knew about their circumstances.

"I'll make a pact with you, Mandy. I promise not
to say another word and I'll stop worrying about you,
if you can look me in the eye and swear things are fine
with you. Swear you love and want Weber."

Amanda paled slightly. "How can things be fine
when you badger me all the time? You constantly
insult Web, even knowing how close we are. You go
out with Reis, then expect me not to be upset." She
tried to distract her sister with defensive questions.

Tears formed in Miranda's tawny eyes and her lips
quivered. "I never thought the day would come when
you would build a wall between us. I want to help,
but I don't know how to reach you, Mandy. I wish
Mama were here," she murmured dejectedly, then
burst into racking sobs and fled to her room.

Amanda seemed glued to the floor. Anguish and
guilt attacked her viciously. She wanted to go after
Miranda and explain, but she was too emotional to
carry on a conversation. She needed to think and
relax. Tomorrow, she would find a way to confide in
Miranda, to make her understand.

Neither girl slept well that night. Miranda made a
desperate decision to visit the plantation, leaving
Amanda alone to think. When Amanda awakened,
Miranda was already packed and gone. Before taking
the train to Richmond and hiring a buggy to
Morning Star Plantation, Miranda stopped off to see
Reis. She told him of her failure to reach Amanda
and of her travel plans and asked him to send word to
Lucas. When Reis asked about the servants with Amanda, Miranda told him there was only their
housekeeper and cook, Alice Reed; tomorrow was her
day off, so Amanda would be alone for two nights
and a day.

After putting Miranda on the train, Reis hurried to
make preparations for a brazen move ... He had
decided it was past time for Amanda to learn some
facts about herself, Reis Harrison, and Weber
Richardson!

After Amanda arose and dressed, she headed for
Miranda's room, finding it empty. She went downstairs, but Miranda couldn't be found there either.
Odd, she thought, since it was only ten o'clock.
Amanda worried over her sister's absence until four
that afternoon, then panicked when Lucas dropped
by to explain Miranda's departure.

"I would have come by sooner, but I was busy with
an interview. Miranda said she didn't leave you a
note, but she had to go away for a while. She seemed
upset, Mandy. What's going on between you two?"
Lucas questioned, as if he didn't know about
Miranda's plans.

Amanda was frantic. Morning Star isn't ours any
more. When she arrives, she'll be confused and
distressed. She'll wonder why I didn't tell her. If she
starts getting suspicious, she might learn everything.
"Luke, can you go after her?" she entreated anxiously.

"Go after her? Why? It isn't strange for her to visit
there, but it's awfully strange that she wouldn't leave you a note or tell you herself. Did you two quarrel?"
he asked, watching Amanda's reaction closely.

"She's angry because of me and Web," Amanda
told him.

"Then it's true, you're actually going to marry
him?"

"I know you don't like Web, but Randy has no
reason to be so spiteful. Are you planning to desert
me too?" she asked sarcastically.

"If you marry Web, I won't come around again,
if that's what you mean. But I have a strong feeling
that Randy didn't leave because of you and Web.
Why are you sitting home instead of working? And
why are you being so nasty to Reis Harrison?" he
asked sternly.

"Since when do you have the right to interfere in
my private life, Lucas Reardon?" she snapped at
him.

"Since you seem to have lost your senses and
appear determined to ruin it! Since you choose Web
over Randy, me, and Reis! I don't know what you're
trying to pull, but you'll regret it. I'm not going after
Randy; she said she'd be home in three days. You
don't have to worry about me intruding again. I'll be
moving west soon."

"Moving west? But what about me and Randy?
You're the only family we have left," she shrieked,
dreading his loss.

"Soon, dear cuz, you'll have a whole new family.
Weber and all the tiny Webers," he said coldly.

"If you don't care about me, then what about
Randy? You know she'll never come to live with us."

"As soon as she returns, I plan to ask her to go west
with me. You know how she feels about your
mother's people, and I need her help."

Amanda was staggered by that news. "You can't
take Randy on such a dangerous journey! I won't
allow it!"

Lucas's voice became soft and compelling as he
protested, "If she wants to go with me, you can't stop
her, Mandy. Once you marry Web, there's nothing to
keep her here. She wants to meet her grandfather and
uncle. She wants to see what Indian life is all about,
how your mother and her people lived. I'll protect
her; you needn't worry. Besides, the Indian hostilities
are under control. Nearly all the tribes are on
reservations now; they can't even own guns. They've
got soldiers and forts everywhere for protection. It's
easy to get there-there are trains, riverboats, stages.
It's been a dream of hers for years. Your parents were
planning a visit this summer, remember?"

"But why are you going out there?" Amanda
asked.

"It concerns that book I'm writing. Would you
believe three of the most notorious Yankee leadersCuster, Sherman, and Sheridan-are assigned to the
Missouri Division which includes the Dakota Territory? How's that for research luck? They'll be more
willing to talk out there, little suspecting I'm an exReb out to extract the truth about them. This is a chance of a lifetime, Mandy. I'm not sure how I was
selected for this assignment, but I'll be damned if I
refuse it! Randy could use the diversion. Don't try to
stop her," he coaxed gently. "Who knows, she might
find her own true love out there, hopefully a Reis
Harrison."

"Why are you two shoving Reis down my throat! I
have to marry Webl" she rashly screamed at him.

"Why?" Lucas snarled.

Cornered, she declared heatedly, "Because I love
him!"

"Like hell you do," Lucas debated, then stalked
out of the house.

Weber came by to visit briefly around six, just
before the housekeeper was to leave. Amanda tried to
act cheerful, but she was exhausted from chores.
When Weber chided her for not leaving such menial
labor to the servant, she smiled and told him it was
good exercise and a distraction from her sadness.
Then Weber asked about Miranda. Amanda claimed
she was visiting friends in Boston. If Weber suspected
she was lying, he didn't let on to her. He told her to
get some rest and he would see her in two days.

She looked surprised, so he explained he would be
away on business. "If you have any problems while
I'm away, contact McVane. I've hired him to manage
both our firms while I'm gone. He'll be working out
of your father's office. You rest, my dear; you're
looking pale. See you in a few days." He stood up to
leave. "Oh, yes." He turned back to add, "You don't have to worry about Harrison bothering you again.
He checked out of the hotel and left town."

"Did you two settle any business?" she asked,
trying to sound calm. No wonder Weber felt it was
safe for him to go away for days. Gone, her heart
sighed painfully. And with McVane in her father's
office, there was no way she could sneak in to go over
the books again.

"I guess he decided to leave the accounts with my
firm, for now. Since his vindictive plot failed, he's
probably gone off somewhere to sulk or to make new
plans. I'm glad you didn't see him again, Mandy.
The men on the docks and in the warehouse have
been teasing me about seeing you there with him.
Give Randy my regards."

Amanda suffered through a lingering kiss, then
waved farewell from the front porch. Had Weber
been trying to tell her he knew about her times with
Reis? Did Web truly think Reis would show up here
again? Sometimes Weber could be so damn cockyl
Suddenly Amanda wiped her lips. How could she
ever make love to Web when a simple kiss turned her
stomach?

Her heart ached. Her parents were lost to her
forever. Reis was gone. Luke was leaving soon,
perhaps taking Randy with him. By now, Randy was
learning of their loss of Morning Star, the plantation
that bore their mother's Indian name. When Randy
returned, she would demand more answers. Was it
too late to tell the truth? Reis was gone, and she didn't know where to locate him. And even if she
found him, would he care or listen?

If they lost the townhouse and business too, could
she find some way to survive without selling her soul
to Weber? If she sold her jewels and anything not
mortgaged, would there be enough money to live on
after she repaid Weber? Besides Luke, there was no
family or home to run to for help. Pride would
demand they seek another place for a new beginning.
What kind of decent work could she and Randy do?
What would happen to them? She had read and heard
so many wicked things about working women, about
their vulnerability and abuse ...

Amanda paced the carpet in her bedroom until she
could have screamed from tension. As if to drive
herself into mindless slumber, she downed two
glasses of Irish whiskey taken from her father's
private stock. Clad in a silky nightgown of azure
blue, she threw herself upon the bed to ease her
spinning head. She hazily scolded herself for drinking on an empty stomach.

As her mind drifted like a cloud, she had the
strangest sensation that hands were binding her arms
and legs. She felt as if she were being wrapped in a
blanket then carried from her room. From a distance,
she heard the clicking of boots as they descended the
steps. Cool air wafted across her cheeks, then warmth
covered them. She tried to force her lids open, but she
was too tired to expend the energy. She was clasped
against some firm object, and strong arms were protectively encircling her body. Comfortable and
limp, she snuggled against the warmth of the object,
then inhaled his manly odor and murmured peacefully, "Reis ..."