Savage Conquest (20 page)

As Weber drove away in his carriage, he congratulated himself for his cunning and wits. He
admitted that Lucas was a good writer, perfect to do
the expose on his despised enemies, the expose he was
supporting financially. But it was a stroke of genius
to use that mutual dream to be rid of himl Weber
wasn't sure if he was mistaken about Reis's purpose
for being in Alexandria, but it wouldn't matter soon.
He had picked up hints around the docks that
Harrison was leaving town this very day. Weber
conceitedly believed that nobody was as smart as he
was, for he had covered his tracks skillfully. Before
anyone was the wiser, Amanda and her properties
would be in his control.

Amanda Lawrence, he sneered to himself, was one
bag of trouble, perhaps more than she was worth. But
Amanda had things he wanted, needed. It would be a
pleasure to conquer that haughty bitch. She would
pay for stalling him for two months. He would take
and use everything she possessed, including her
delicious body. Whe he tired of her, he would arrange
a neat accident. Then perhaps he would have a taste
of sweet Miranda ... Miranda ... yes, she would be
vulnerable and pliable with Amanda and Lucas out
of the way. She was mysterious and exotic, but so wary and timid. Doubtlessly she possessed more fiery
passion in one finger than the arrogant Amanda had
in her entire body! The idea of dining greedily on
Amanda's treats, then feasting ravenously on
Miranda's was wildly intoxicating. It was too bad he
couldn't have both at once! Both were beautiful and
different. How wickedly erotic to savor two ravishing
women. Weber had no way of knowing that the wily
twins would use his wanton lust against him.. .

That night, Miranda awakened several times to the
sound of soft laughter from her sister's room. How
she longed to find a love such as her lucky sister had
discovered. But Amanda and Reis's relationship was
special, more than physical. The looks which had
passed between them almost made her envious. How
sad to never experience such wonderful and wild
feelings. No one deserved such happiness more than
Amanda.

Each time Amanda couldn't suppress her joyful
laughter, Reis would cover her lips with his to muffle
it, then mischievously seek another sensitive or
ticklish spot. Their first union had been swift and
savage, their passions starving to be fed. Later, they
had made love slowly and tenderly, savoring each
touch and movement. But, inevitably, the new day
signaled its approach.

"I'll return as quickly as I can, my love," Reis
promised between kisses and playful fondles.

"Just be careful, Reis," she urged anxiously.

"You, too," he murmured in her ear before
initiating one last joining of their bodies and spirits.

At the back door, Amanda hugged him a final time
and vowed, "I do love you something fierce, Mister
Harrison, you sly Yankee. If you don't come back safe
and sound, you'll answer to me."

Reis trapped her slender and shapely frame next to
his hard and smooth body. "If I don't find you safe
and sound upon my return home, Mrs. Harrison, you
shall do more than answer to me. I love you,
woman."

With a parting kiss, they released each other. Reis
grinned and winked, then slipped into the gloomy,
predawn light. Amanda sighed heavily then returned
to her room to sleep until nine.

All morning the twins anticipated and plotted
Weber's downfall. According to Weber's habits, they
felt he would appear in the afternoon or early
evening. Just in case Weber varied his schedule, the
girls had an alternative plan.

While they ate a midday snack, Amanda and her
sister talked about Reis. Neither mentioned that Reis
had slipped out before dawn to catch a ship which
was leaving with the morning tide carrying cargo
which should unravel Web's evil operation. Nor did
the twins discuss Miranda's and Lucas's impending
trek west. But both were very much aware of the
fleeting time before Friday morning. They had
decided to pack Miranda's clothes and possessions
for the summer-long journey on Thursday. Lucas
came over around three to play his part in their reckless scheme.

If any male besides Lucas had been present,
Miranda would have been crimson-faced with embarrassment at the sensual kimono she was wearing.
Her courage would be greatly tested when it was
Weber standing in this room alone with her! But
these trying times called for daring measures. The
silky garment in sultry red had two daring slits-one
from throat to waist and one from hem to thigh-and
provocatively enhanced Miranda's exotic aura. The
appealing garment had been sent to Joe Lawrence
from Japan by a mischievous friend who was a
retired sea captain as a gift for his wife.

Suddenly at four, Lucas warned, "Get ready,
cousins; he just arrived. Good luck!" he stated
quickly before rushing out, leaving the door ajar as
planned. Halfway down the walkway, he halted
Weber to exchange taunts and to allow the girls time
to settle their nerves.

When Weber approached the front door, he didn't
knock when he found it unlocked. He grinned as he
decided to surprise either or both girls; he could
always say Lucas let him inside before leaving. He
eased the door open, sneaked inside, and cautiously
closed it. Hearing muffled voices from the sitting
room, he furtively made his way to the half-opened
door, flattening himself against the wall to listen.

Miranda had been spying on Weber's movements
from the narrow slit between the door hinges. As he
made his stealthy way toward the parlor, Miranda
signaled her sister to begin their charade, one in which she would speak only the truth. She had to be
convincing, or else Weber could come after her!

"Tell me the truth, Randy! That's why you ran off
to Boston, isn't it! Did you want to hide and sulk or
make some plan to get your way? My own sister ...
How could you be so cruel and wicked?" Amanda
shrieked at her, wringing her hands as if nervous.
"And at a time like this when I'm at death's door,"
she added pathetically.

"Stop this foolishness, Mandy. I told you I went to
see friends and to give you some privacy to think. I'm
sorry if you're ill, but you mustn't be so irritable.
Whatever's wrong with you lately?"

"You're saying it's only my imagination?"
Amanda sneered sarcastically. "I'm neither blind nor
a fool, dear sister. I've seen how you watch himactually drool over him. Always asking questions
about my Web, pretending you don't like him. You
ran off because I told you I was going to accept his
proposal soon. You want to break us apart, don't
you? Look me in the eye, Miranda Lawrence, and
swear you aren't hanging around like some vulture
waiting for Weber's love for me to die!"

"You shouldn't accuse me of such awful things,
Mandy. When have I ever flirted with Web or tried to
cause trouble between you two? You shouldn't be
marrying him if you don't trust him; and if you do
trust him, you wouldn't be insinuating I could win
him from you."

"How crafty you are, dear sister. I don't hear you
denying my charges, only covering your guilt with wily questions. Weber loves me. He wouldn't even
look at another woman if she didn't try to wantonly
bewitch him. As soon as I'm looking and feeling
better, I shall make plans for us to become affianced,"
she curtly announced.

"I shan't stay in Alexandria after your wedding. I
shall go live at Morning Star," Miranda declared
soberly.

Weber almost missed part of the devious conversation as visions of having Amanda here in the
townhouse and Miranda there on the plantation
filled his head. Soon everything would be in his
control, and possibly both women. Now he knew
why Miranda was so remote and quiet around him;
she was resisting her cravings for him! So, the dark
beauty with her tightly controlled wildness burned
with desire for him ...

"That sounds like an excellent idea. Then I won't
have to worry about you chasing and tempting
Weber after we're married," she panted.

"Mandy, please don't say such things. I meant I
would leave you two alone for privacy. You're being
irrational. I am not trying to steal Weber from you.
It's probably the illness talking. Perhaps I should ask
the doctor to come over again."

"I don't need to see the doctor again. I'm just tired.
I'm going upstairs and take his vile drug. I don't
want to be disturbed; the medicine makes me sleep
for hours. If Weber comes over before I'm awake, you
had best remember he's mine," Amanda warned
frostily.

"Don't you want some soup first? I'll get it for you.
I gave Mrs. Reed some time off this week." Her back
to the door, Miranda winked at her sister.

"I'll eat later, if I'm hungry. I can't remember if
Web told me he was or wasn't coming over tonight at
eight. That medicine is playing havoc with my
memory," she mumbled absently. "Wake me at seven
so I can dress before he arrives."

"I'll see you to your room, Mandy; you're drowsy
now. I promise to wake you if Weber comes over,"
she told her sister.

"I'm not a baby; I can make it," Amanda
responded.

Miranda stood in the doorway, watching her sister
ascend the stairs and vanish from sight. She returned
to the parlor and sipped a French brandy as though
she needed it to calm her nerves. Miranda withdrew a
flower from a nearby vase and smelled its sweet
fragrance, whispering, "If only you knew the truth,
Mandy ..."

From behind her, Weber murmured huskily, "And
what is the truth, my beautiful Miranda?"

She whirled and gasped in partially feigned
surprise. "Weber? Where did you come from? I didn't
hear you knock." Miranda observed the way Weber's
dark eyes engulfed her body, especially the bare area
on her throat and between her breasts. She tried to
calm her anxiety as his respiration increased in speed
and volume. If lust could become a tangible object,
his would encase her thickly at that moment.

He licked his suddenly dry lips and struggled to conceal her staggering effect on him. His mind was
wildly intoxicated by the misconception that she
fiercely wanted him as he craved her. "Someone left
the door open. You should be more careful, Randy.
An intruder could lose his head over a matchless
beauty like you."

Miranda flushed a deep red. Weber thought it was
from shyness or guilt, but it was from anger. He
hadn't even asked about Amanda or her health!
While his love lay ill above them, he was trying to
beguile her sister! The lecherous rake! Her fury
inspired strength and resolve.

"I'm glad to find you home today. I've been
wanting to speak to you alone. Isn't it about time we
became friends, Randy?" he asked, pulling the flower
from her grasp and teasing her bare flesh with it. He
watched the astonishment in her eyes as he trailed the
flower up her throat and across her lips. "Such
pleasures shouldn't belong to a mere flower," he
remarked, leaning forward to kiss her.

Miranda tried to twist away, but Weber dropped
the flower to embrace her tightly. His lips forced hers
apart. When his mouth left hers to wander down her
neck, she scolded him, "Weber Richardson! Behave
yourself. You're Mandy's beau. She'll be furious if
she learns of this."

Weber leaned backward and gazed at her. "You
don't care what Mandy thinks. You want me as much
as I want you," he boasted. "Perhaps I've asked the
wrong twin to marry me. What do you think?"

Not having expected Weber to work so hastily or boldly, Miranda was stunned. Weber pressed her
against the wall, molding his enflamed body against
her rigid one. As his mouth covered hers, he ground
his hips against her. He moved his chest over hers,
almost dislodging the kimono from her shoulders.
Miranda didn't respond to Weber, but neither did she
urgently battle him as she awaited Amanda's interruption.

When Weber's hands drifted to her bosom,
Miranda couldn't wait for Amanda to burst in on
them. She shoved his brazen hands from her body and
tried to push him away. "You stop this, Weber!" she
ordered him brusquely. "How dare you insult me!"
Miranda didn't want to scream for help, as that
would bring about a drastic change in plans. If he
were completely alienated, both girls could become
dispensable. She prayed her sister would enter soon.

Weber's gaze was dark with combined passion and
anger. He was too enflamed to stop now. Af ter he had
possessed her fully, Miranda wouldn't say anything
to Luke or Amanda. He wasn't about to let her deny
him-now or ever again! Amanda had supplied him
with the perfect explanation. She was actually
jealous of her sister, mistrusted her, had accused her
of chasing him. If Miranda revealed what was about
to take place, he would have no trouble convincing
Amanda she was lying out of jealousy. He could even
tell Amanda that her sister had tried to seduce him
while she lay ill upstairs. But it shouldn't be
necessary to travel that sacrificial path. He could
easily blackmail Miranda into compliance, or sen sually enslave her with his magical lips and hands.
Once he gave her such exquisite pleasures tonight,
she would eagerly be shoving Amanda out of her
way; then, he could make Amanda's absence permanent ... Surely gentle Miranda would be easier to
master? Surely exotic Miranda would be more
enjoyable in bed? Amanda was a proud and stubborn
know-it-all; but Miranda was a thirsty, repressed
spirit who wanted to break free, to run wild, to taste
life.

Weber seized her around the waist and had her
pinned beneath him on the sofa before she could
think clearly. His mouth was searing hers, preventing any protests. Miranda was terrified. She
couldn't control him! Where was Amanda? What
about the timely rescue? It wasn't supposed to go this
fart Something was wrong! Something was keeping
her away! Surely Amanda wouldn't fail her ...