Savage Conquest (17 page)

She smiled, her entire face brightening. "Never
better," she vowed, caressing his pleasing jawline.
d 'You?"

"Never better," he happily concurred. "I love you,
Amanda Lawrence, more than I could imagine
possible. You cast your spell over me one stormy
night, and I can never again be whole without you."

She laughed and teased, "Then I suppose it's only
natural to prove it on a stormy morning. I love you,
Reis Harrison. I've been so lonely and miserable
without you," she confessed, her mood a curious
blend of shyness and boldness.

"I've never been so afraid in my life as when I
nearly lost you. I know it was crazy to kidnap you,
but I had to do it. The state you were in-I didn't
know what you would do next. I don't want you to be
angry with Luke and Randy, but-" He hesitated
briefly before confessing their daring ploy. "I don't
want any more secrets between us, love. I must finish
this mission, my beloved angel. We have a decision to
make: do we marry later, or do we marry now in
secret?"

She smiled. "I'm greedy and selfish, Reis; I want
you as quickly as I can have you. But I'll comply with
your orders from Grant."

"I think it would be best for both of us if we find a
way to marry soon. I want to make sure you're mine,
and it will be easier to spend time together. You'll be
happier as my wife, not a mistress."

His meaning was clear. She had surrendered to
passion today, but marriage would prevent her
from feeling guilty over a pre-planned affair. "You
know me too well, Mister Harrison," she teased
mirthfully.

"I plan to know you even better. Say, inch by
inch?" he murmured, a finger intoxicatingly encircling each nipple in turn. "Your greed is nothing
compared to mine, woman," he declared, leaning
forward to torment each faint, brown point with his
tongue.

"I must need a lesson or two-I thought you said
you were numb?"

"A fire such as you ignite could thaw any frozen
object," he told her, taking her hand and clasping it
around the proof of his claim.

"Then why not share your flames, my dashing
Yankee; I'm chilled to the bone," she coaxed,
stroking him boldly.

"All I have and am belongs to you, my love. You
have but to ask or take what you will," he stated softly
and truthfully.

"For now, all I need or want is for us to be one
again," she told him shamelessly, her eyes never leaving his penetrating gaze.

His lips covered hers before making torturously
slow and sweet love to her. Afterward, they lay
together for a time until it began to mist once more.
He splashed off in the stream and coaxed her to do the
same, then tossed her the gown which he had rinsed
for her. Ignoring its iciness, she wiggled into it.
Hand in hand, they returned to the cabin.

Soon Reis had a cheery fire going and coffee
warming. The aroma filled the small cabin and
teased their noses. Amanda sat on a cured cowhide
before the fire, clad in Reis's shirt which was nearly
dry. Wrapped in the last blanket, Reis poured two
cups of coffee and joined her. They didn't talk for a
time, simply enjoying each other's nearness and
company.

Amanda's voice broke the peaceful silence. "Reis,
how do you plan to get me home dressed like this?"

"Like I stole you, in the middle of the night," he
teased. When she asked if he had known her
housekeeper would be off, he grinned and nodded.
"If someone asks why you didn't answer the door, say
you were bathing or sleeping, which you were-just
somewhere else," he playfully rambled on.

"You mean Weber, don't you?" she asked gravely.
"How do you plan to unmask him?" She wondered
how she could pretend with Web.

"Just leave that to me. No playing the detective to
end this matter sooner. Just be patient and cautious.
He's dangerous, Mandy. Just carry on as usual," he
instructed for her safety.

"Are you sure? You don't mind if he takes me out,
and hugs me or kisses me?" she inquired behind
giggles.

"If he lays a finger on you, I'll break it off," he
vowed possessively. "Just as soon as I locate a
minister out of town, I'll arrange our wedding. You
and I can sneak off, get married, then sneak back.
You'll be safe as long as Weber doesn't know you're
in cahoots with me. That is, if I can't convince you to
leave town for a while?"

"It sounds so exciting," she murmured dreamily.

"There's one other thing, Mandy; confide in
Miranda. At times, we might need her help to ... get
together secretly. She's worried about you," he added
at her coy grin.

"You like Randy, don't you?" she inquired
happily.

"Yep. She's a lot like you; and yet she's very
different. I think I've discovered a wonderful family
for myself," he sighed contentedly.

As they consumed the food which Reis had wisely
brought along, he expounded on his mission and
Weber's treacherous deceptions. They passed the day
talking about their lives and families or discussing
their future. Once more they made love, this time on
the narrow bank in the warm cabin. Around eleven
that night, Reis couldn't stall the inevitable any
longer; it was time to take Amanda home before
Friday's dawn exposed their rendezvous.

Snuggled in a blanket in his arms, Amanda was
quiet on the return trip. Once inside her home, Reis kissed her good night and cautioned her again about
Weber before leaving. To keep Weber from getting
suspicious about them, Reis promised to contact her
through Lucas, and she was to do the same with him.
She was surprised to learn he was staying with her
calculating cousin. Under such precarious circumstances, she realized it would make things easier for
herself and Reis.

During the day, Amanda managed to avoid Weber
by visiting friends. Later, Lucas came over for dinner
and a leisurely conversation. When Weber came by
around eight, he was vividly displeased to find Lucas
there and more displeased when Lucas wouldn't
leave them alone. Weber and Lucas exchanged surly
jibes, which Amanda pretended not to notice. Soon
Weber announced that he had to leave and rose to do
so. Lucas smiled and remained seated.

Amanda felt she must see Weber to the door. When
he tried to kiss her good night, she turned away,
informing him she had the sniffles and he might
catch them. In preparation for such an awkward
moment, she had been sneezing and sniffling during
his visit. Giving Amanda one final, searing glare,
Weber left sullenly.

She rejoined Lucas in the sitting room. He grinned
and stated, "That was quick thinking, Mandy,
pretending to have a cold. Reis will be delighted
when I tell him," he teased fondly. "Did you see the
funny look on Web's face when you mentioned a
possible visit to Morning Star? Where did you tell
him Randy is?" It was apparent that Lucas was thoroughly enjoying this charade.

They both laughed. "Web thinks Randy is visiting
friends in Boston. Once she returns and we tell her
everything, we can all relax. I did find it odd that Web
didn't say anything when I mentioned the plantation. I wonder when he's planning to use that little
ruse."

"When I'm not around to make trouble," Lucas
declared.

"How could he keep it a secret from you? Surely he
knows I would mention such a shocking matter to
you during one of our vists," she reasoned. "Why
alter the books, then not use them?"

"I'm leaving soon, remember?" he responded, not
venturing a speculation on her last question. Who
could understand Web Richardson)

"But Reis is staying with you," she replied in
bewilderment.

"I've told him he can use my place as long as he
wishes. I have to leave within two weeks. Until then,
I can be your messenger."

"Are you really going to invite Randy to go
along?" she fretted.

"Why not? That would give you and Reis lots of
privacy," he hinted roguishly. "He told me you two
are getting married soon. Just be careful, Mandy.
He's right; Weber is a devil. You leave the investigation to Reis, you hear me?"

Amanda grinned and jested, "Yes, cuz; I'll be
good."

"I know you, Amanda Lawrence. Don't go sneaking around just to help Reis. You could
stumble onto something which might endanger his
life as well as your own. I hope he works fast and
hard; you can't tell Web you have a cold for very
long," he stated between chuckles.

"I would ask you to come over every night, but that
would look suspicious. Besides, he would only start
visiting during the day. Oh, Luke, how will I ever
carry this off?" she worried aloud. Just the thought of
Weber touching or kissing her was repulsive.

He mockingly lessened her tension. "Do these ears
deceive me? Is Amanda Lawrence doubting her
feminine wiles? You'll be great. You have Reis, so
now I can stop worrying about leaving. I'll be back
before winter." With comical animation, he suggested, "There is one thing you can do to roughen the
waters with Weber; pick an argument with him.
Then while you're pouting and reconsidering his
proposal, that will give you and Reis extra time."

Amanda brightened in elation. "Over what?"

"How about over Randy?" he proposed astonishingly, then explained himself.

"You really think he has a fever for her?" she
questioned, alarmed and surprised that she hadn't
noticed such undercurrents.

When Lucas expounded on his observations and
opinions, Amanda concurred. "Damn, I must be
blind! He hasn't bothered her, has he? That explains
why she's always so tense and remote when he's
around. Why didn't she tell me, Luke?"

"Because you're always so defensive of him. Like
me, she was probably afraid you would think she was
only trying to separate you two. Don't forget, she
doesn't know why you felt you must marry him.
Nothing against you, my lovely cousin, but he
merely wants a Lawrence. You fit his plans better
than Randy, but he would settle for her. I bet Randy
will be delighted to unmask that scum. And after
your violent quarrel, it will seem natural for Randy
to go away with me. Ah, yes, it's ingenious," he
bragged, not realizing the repercussions of such a
reckless charade.

"I must confess, I agree, Luke," she complimented
him. "Then by the time you and Randy return, Reis
and I will be settled down. You will take good care of
her?"

"If she tags along. I haven't asked her yet. In fact,
she doesn't know anything about this trip. I was
saving the news as a surprise. I'm not sure how I
landed this enviable assignment, but I'm taking it
before they change their minds. Fact is, now that I've
heard their proposal, I think I would even go at my
own expense." Lucas didn't tell Amanda that taking
her sister along with him would solve another
problem: it would keep Weber from getting rid of
Amanda and pursuing Miranda, now that Reis was
in the picture.

"I know her, Luke; she would give anything to go
to the Dakota Territory. Why shouldn't she have her
dream? I am getting mine," she announced gleefully, dancing around the room.

"I'll drop around tomorrow afternoon with a note
from Reis," he tempted her. "Would you like to send
him a message tonight? Your housekeeper won't be
off again until Sunday. Can you wait another day?"

Amanda hastily wrote three words on a page: "I
love you." When Lucas accepted the missive and
departed, she sighed restlessly as she headed for bed.
Last night she had been with Reis; tonight, she must
be content to dream of him. Two days ago, she had
been utterly miserable; today, her heart sang with
ecstasy.

Fortunately, Weber didn't come by to see her
Saturday. Unbeknown to her, he was biding his time
until the interfering Lucas Reardon left town, just as
he had arranged. It was late in the day before Weber
learned that Reis Harrison was not only still around
but was living with that sly cousin of Amanda's. He
would do some checking around before confronting
her on Sunday afternoon ...

Amanda wanted to send a telegram to her sister,
encouraging her to hurry home but she dared not for
fear of revealing Miranda's location. If Weber was as
crafty and deadly as Lucas and Reis believed-which
she no longer doubted-surely Weber was watching
each of them. She desperately wanted to help. solve
this mystery but obeyed the wishes of Reis and her
cousin. Now that she was acquainted with the facts of
the situation, she didn't want to hinder her love's
work.

Amanda remained in the house, continuing her
illness ruse. She couldn't help but be disappointed,
even slightly miffed, when Reis neither sent her a
message nor made a stealthy visit on either day. This
solitary game was becoming boring.

The sun came out bright and warm on Sunday
morning. Amanda wanted to go outside, to go riding
or picnicking with Reis. She warned. herself to be
patient and careful until Miranda's presence supplied a good reason to quarrel with Weber.

Oddly, Lucas didn't visit on Saturday or Sunday;
Amanda worried over his absence. She fretted over
Reis's behavior when he had made no contact with
her since his daring escapade of Thursday. If he were
as lonely and anxious as she was, he would have
found a way to see her, or at least send word by Lucas!
After their intimacy, did he think he could take her
for granted? Did he think he owed her no explanation?

By late afternoon, she was tense and moody. She
had spent the night listening for Reis's footsteps. Her
hair was mussed, her face pale, and her cheeks
flushed when Weber called. Thankfully, her appearance and mood added credence to her charade.

When she opened the door, Weber verbally assailed
her before she could speak. "What in hell's name is
going on, Amanda?" he snarled.

She looked at him in bewilderment. Lines of fury
etched his forehead, and his teeth were clenched
tightly. His dark eyes were cold, their gaze intimidat ing and accusatory. "I beg your pardon?" she
murmured curiously.