Savage Conquest (29 page)

He studied her oddly. "Mandy, are you sure you're
all right? You're awfully nervous, even a bit evasive."

"What the hell are you talking about?" she scoffed
crudely. "How would you feel after days and nights
without sleep? My sister's run off. I have a million
worries. Then my best friend attacks my every word.
Damnit, Weber, I'm a wreck!"

"Then marry me and let me take care of you," he
offered.

"This is no way to begin a marriage, attacking
each other every time we meet. Besides, I want the
biggest and finest wedding this state's ever had.
When I get things settled with the company, then I
can decide what to do about you and your terrible
moods."

"Another excuse to stall me?" he accused sullenly.
"I can handle any problem while you plan our
historical wedding."

"I promise to give you an answer this coming
Sunday," she stated.

"There can be only one answer, Mandy. Your
choice is me or the streets. Surely you don't need to
weigh one against the other?"

"But you aren't my only choice, Weber," she told
him rashly.

"You have another proposal? Who?" he snarled
furiously.

"I meant work, not a man," she teased him.

"Just what kind of work can you do? I can't
imagine Amanda Lawrence slaving anywhere," he
playfully mocked her.

"Is that a fact, Mister Richardson?" she sneered as
if insulted. "I daresay I can do many things to earn a
living. I'm honest and loyal, and normally full of
energy. And, no doubt, I could have five marriage
proposals by next week, if I put my mind to it."

"I don't wish to sound cruel, my sweet, but how
long would they remain extended if your loss of
wealth and station were revealed?"

"You sound as if that's the only reason a man
would court mel" she panted at him. "Since you
know the truth, why not withdraw your offer?"

"Because I love you and want you, not what you
have," he lied.

"Well, you certainly don't sound like it or behave
like it of late! All you do is harass me, or scold me, or
insult me. You act as if you enjoy demeaning me,"
she charged peevishly.

"Then why not get dressed and I'll take you out to
dinner and the theater? We could ride to Washington
and make a holiday of it. Why not elope?" he
suggested eagerly. "That would be exciting and
romantic. Just imagine the envy of your suitors."

"Elope!" she shrieked. "Don't be absurd, Weber.
You know what people think of couples who elope. I
won't have people thinking me pregnant. They
would stare at me for nine months!"

"Amanda Lawrence, my patience is wearing thin.
I demand an answer this minute," he declared
stunningly, attempting to panic her.

Amanda's mind raced wildly toward a scheme to
extract her from this precarious situation. "Unless your proclaimed love is also wearing thin, you will
not mind having your answer Sunday, If such is the
case, there is no need to consider your proposal. Love
and marriage are not contests where points must be
made to prove one's feelings. If you have no respect
for my suffering, you are not the man to share my life.
Shall it be Sunday, or never?" she presented her own
ultimatum.

"You're serious, aren't you?" he inquired in
surprise.

"I have never been more so in my life," she told
him smugly. "I will not discuss such a vital matter as
marriage in this distraught state. I cannot make
critical choices which will affect the rest of my life
when I am torn by troubles and doubts and I am
assailed by fatigue! If you find that unacceptable,
then I bid you a permanent farewell."

"Then I shall wait until Sunday for your decision.
But I must know you still want me."

"Your conduct and my numerous worries make it
impossible forme to assess the depth of my feelings. I
can only say they have not changed of late. Perhaps a
trip would be a good diversion-give me time to
relax and think. Perhaps the new owner of Morning
Star wouldn't mind if I made a last visit. I do so regret
losing it," she baited him.

"I don't think that's wise, Mandy. It would remind
you of the days spent there with Randy and your
parents. I don't want you to go so far alone," he
gently protested her alarming suggestion. "If you
wish to visit later, then I will escort you there."

"I suppose you're right. It would be too painful to
go there again. But someday soon, I'll need to retrieve
our personal belongings. Surely the new owner has
packed and stored them for us. Perhaps I only need
sleep," she hinted innocently.

Delighted he had changed her mind, he smiled and
agreed. "To prove I'm not pushing you, I'll stay
away until Sunday afternoon. If you promise to send
for me if you need anything," he added jovially.

His words were like sweet music to her ears. She
smiled to show her gratitude. "I promise. I don't
know why you fret so, Weber; whoever could I choose
over you?" she teased coyly. "Thanks for being so
understanding and kind; I shan't forget it. Until
Sunday," she hinted.

"Until Sunday, my sweet," he replied. He kissed
her hand, then left whistling.

Amanda knew why he was so elated. He was glad
he wouldn't have to see her for days and relieved not
to have to play this game where he might make a
wrong move. He was so cocky! Without a doubt, he
believed she would say yes on Sunday. If only he
knew she was already legally wed, and to a man she
loved above life itself.

Relief flooded her. Surely he didn't' know about
Reis. Else, he would have tried to entrap her with
enticing hints or blunt statements. Surely Reis would
come home tonight. With that conclusion, she
rushed upstairs for a nap. "I'll be wide awake and full
of energy tonight," she said aloud with a happy
giggle.

When she awoke, she warmed water for a bath in
the private closet near the kitchen. After a leisurely
soaking, she was about to don a lovely dress but
decided upon a sensual nightgown instead. Just as
she was brushing her golden tresses, she sniffed
several times. She shook her head, telling herself she
couldn't smell food cooking. How could she? She
was alone, and Mrs. Reed didn't have a key. Except
for coffee and water, she hadn't used the stove today.
When the fragrant aromas increased, she went to
investigate, her bare feet treading soundlessly on the
floor.

As she peered around the doorframe, she was
astonished and delighted to see her husband standing
near the stove working contentedly. Deep in thought,
he didn't seem aware of her. She watched his profile
for a brief time, pondering his intense concentration.

She wondered over his odd behavior. He had come
home and started cooking without even saying hello!
"Reis Harrison, whatever are you doing?" she
questioned as she entered the room.

He jumped and whirled around, his hand automatically going for his concealed weapon. He swiftly
mastered his poise and expression. "Making us some
supper. I'm starved. It's about time you joined me,
wife. I've been exceptionally good to let you nap and
bathe before showing you my splendid face. I fully
expect to be rewarded for such generosity," he jested
mirthfully, confusing her.

He focused his gaze on his cooking, rather than
showering her with kisses and hugs. He seemed reserved, distant. Yet, she watched him cover that
inexplicable mood with contrived gaiety. "I don't
understand," she murmured, coming to stand beside
him at the stove. She wanted to fling herself into his
arms and to kiss him feverishly, but something about
his manner prevented it. He seemed so different.

"While old Weber was trying to beat down the
front door, I was sneaking in the back. You certainly
did some mighty persuasive acting, love. I surely am
glad you're on my side. I would hate to imagine those
charms, wits, and courage working against me," he
jested roguishly, removing the fried salt pork from
the skillet.

"You've been here since noon? Why didn't you
show yourself after Weber left?" she asked in
confusion, hurt by his actions. That statement meant
he had overheard her talk with Weber. It also meant
he had been hiding from her since his furtive arrival.
Why?

He excused his actions by saying, "You sounded as
exhausted as you looked. I knew that part of your
colorful tale was true. If you hadn't gone right to
sleep, I would have joined you in bed," he stated
huskily, slipping an arm around her waist as he
worked with the other hand. "I took a short nap in
Randy's room; I was dead tired too. I straightened the
covers, but you might want to peek in there before
Mrs. Reed returns to work. We don't want her
discovering our little secret. How do you like your
eggs cooked?" he inquired casually.

Amanda simply stared at him as he began cracking eggs and dropping their contents into a bowl.
"What's wrong with you?" she asked.

He looked up from his task and questioned, "What
do you mean?"

"You vanish for days, then appear without
bothering to explain. Do you know how worried and
frightened I've been? When you do come home,
you're more interested in sleep and food than your
wife!" she charged, provoked by his indifferent mood
and lack of affectionate greeting.

"Can't business wait until later? I'd prefer to
spend a quiet evening with my wife. Have supper
and ... turn in early," he hinted seductively. "These
last few days and nights have been terrible, Mandy.
Am I being selfish to want.you as my only thought
for tonight? Isn't it better this way? I only wanted to
surprise you."

"Well, you certainly did," she informed him
crisply. "I can see why you would let me take a nap,
but why wait so long afterward?" She wanted to
demand he tell her why he was being so remote, but
she didn't. She fretted mutely over this new side of
him.

Passion danced .within his dark blue eyes. His
mood mellowed, and he smiled contritely. "To enjoy
what I'm seeing right this minute." His appreciative
gaze moved over her shiny hair and enticing
nightgown; then, he inhaled the freshness of her skin
and the sweetness of her cologne. "I'll confess I heard
what you planned for me as you raced upstairs, and I
controlled myself to wait for my surprise."

He chuckled when her cheeks flushed crimson. "It
isn't often a husband gets seduced by such beauty and
eagerness."

"How would you know? You are new at this role,
aren't you?" she responded coyly as she noted a halfgrin tugging at his sensual lips.

"Yep, but I've heard plenty of tales which could
inspire any male to avoid marriage. Evidently I made
a wise choice," he told her, pulling her into his arms.
He didn't kiss her immediately. He just held her
tenderly, caressing her back and inhaling her
fragrance.

Her dreamy gaze touched on a small leather case on
the floor near a chair. She was puzzled when he
stiffened at her question, "Were you working? Does
that satchel contain evidence against Weber?"

He released her and returned to his task. "I thought
we agreed business could wait until later. Let's eat
and relax."

"You agreed; I didn't. Did something happen you
don't want to tell me?" she asked suspiciously.

"All right, have it your way," he stated a little
brusquely. "I was making out my report. I obtained
some evidence, but not enough. I couldn't get home
or send word without tipping my hand. I did warn
you our relationship was secret and my mission
might require my absence on occasion," he reminded
her moodily.

"You don't have to sound so hateful," she chided
him. "What evidence did you get? How much longer
will it take? Weber is pressing me again, as you heard," she added snippily when he scowled.

"I told you I wanted our discussion to wait because
I knew you'd get angry and upset by it. That was a
foolish thing to tell him, Mandy. What if I can't solve
this case by Sunday; what then? He's going to get
suspicious. As to the evidence, I can't tell you. That
way, you can't drop clues when you play your
reckless games with Weber."

"What was I supposed to do?" she flared back at
him, rankled.

"For starters, agree to his idea about Randy. That
should keep him occupied for a while, maybe
distracted from what I'm doing and from wooing my
wife. What new excuse do you plan to use Sunday?"

She was shocked by his suggestion. "You want
him to search for her? Heavens, Reis, what if he
found her? I would be in danger!"

"I doubt he or his hired thugs could find any trace
of her. And even so, you could always play dumb; you
could act tricked by her and Luke. There's no way
Weber could prove you were involved in their
scheme, even if he suspected it. Aren't you forgetting
he knows why she left, but he thinks you don't? He
can't harm Randy. I'll know if he leaves town and
heads that way. I can warn Luke. If he thinks there's
the slightest chance of finding her, he won't be
pushing you so hard."

"You sound as if I'm his last choice!" she pouted
petulantly.

"Stow that pride, Mandy, or it'll get you into
trouble. He wants her because he thinks he can manage her more easily than you and because she's
unobtainable, the irresistible temptation."

"What do you mean, she's more manageable?" she
probed.

"You are one bullheaded, outspoken female.
You're smart and willful. Randy's quiet and reserved, and gives Weber the impression she isn't as
intelligent as you. Also, you know the business and
like it; she doesn't. Her lack of knowledge and
interest in the firm would protect his schemes. And
you don't seem easily intimidated or misled; Randy's
shyness implies she can be. Weber has vastly
underestimated her, and you should use that ignorance and conceit against him. Don't be so damn
friendly with him," he declared possessively, his
jealousy and vexation born of worry over her.

Amanda wanted to argue against his statements,
but she couldn't. She sullenly acquiesced. "I'll
correct my errors tomorrow."