Savage Conquest (22 page)

Amanda continued to pack Miranda's possessions
while her sister took a carriage to the bank just before
noon. It was Weber's custom to eat lunch at noon in
the Telford Inn, near the bank. After withdrawing
money for her trip, Miranda lingered near the
doorway until she saw Weber round the corner to
head her way. She gritted her teeth, inhaled and
exhaled slowly, then stepped outside into the bright
sunlight.

Weber saw her immediately and hurried to
intercept her. "And whom do we have here? Are you
alone?" he inquired, glancing around to see for
himself. "Join me for lunch, Randy; we need to talk
about last night. What did Mandy say after I left?"

Miranda jerked her arm free of his light grasp. She
glared at him. "Touch me again, Mister Richardson,
and I'll cut off your hand. I loathe you. How my sister has stomached you this long, I'll never know. I've
tried to avoid you; I've tried to endure you. Then, I
even tried to make a truce with you. You sicken me
with your lewd mind and repulsive groping. As far as
I'm concerned, last night was only a nightmare, and
I'm fully awake now. You stay away from me."

Weber actually looked stunned by her harsh tone
and cutting words. "What game is this?" he asked
skeptically. "I know when a woman entices me, and
you did last night. If you're worried about upsetting
Mandy, I'll handle her gently. I can make her happy to
spurn me. If I frightened you with my overwhelming
desire, I'm sorry. I lost my head when I realized you
felt the same way about me. It won't happen again,
love. Just let me prove it's you I want to marry."

"You're insane, Weber. You're the last man alive I
would love or marry. I have never found you
desirable, and I despise you. If I hadn't been worried
about my sister's health and happiness last night, I
would have clawed out your eyes. But you needn't
fret over my tattling to Mandy; she'll eventually see
you for what you are. I must have been a fool to think
we could become friends."

"You didn't act like a friend last night. Not the way
you were responding to me," he sullenly protested.

"Think again, Weber. I tried to get away from you,
remember? You trapped me against the wall, then
chased me around, then pinned me to the sofa. I was
not yielding; I was battling you. What is a helpless
woman's strength compared to a violent man's? I
would have reacted immediately if I hadn't been so shocked by your words' and conduct. Remove your
egotistic blinders and take another look at what truly
happened between us."

"If you have no romantic feelings for me, then why
does Mandy think you do? Why do I believe you do?"
he debated wickedly.

"Perhaps she's hoping someone will come along
to take you away from her. She's been confused lately,
perhaps realizing her true feelings for you. There are
plenty of rumors about you and women. Also, she's
on a medication which clouds her reason. She doesn't
honestly think I would pursue you, and I wouldn't.
Bother me again, and I'll tell all."

"It won't matter. After I finish telling my side,
she'll trust me, not you. She isn't as bright as you,
Randy. She's vain and foolish. Of course you won't
repeat that because you're too sensitive to hurt her
feelings. You're a prize, Randy, one I intend to have,"
he boldly stated.

"You're a fool, Weber! There's no way you can
have me," she declared angrily.

"I wouldn't be too confident, love. By next week,
you'll be coming to me and begging me to forgive
your nasty rejection. In fact, I'm willing to bet you'll
become Mrs. Weber Richardson by May 30."

Miranda stared at him. He looked utterly serious.
"Just how do you plan to blackmail me into such a
position? What about Mandy?" she probed as if
intrigued.

"When a huge debt is made and owed, Randy, someone has to repay it. I've simply decided I want you to clear the ledger, not her. As for Miss Amanda, she'll
be taken care of; you needn't worry."

"What kind of debt could I possibly owe you?" she
inquired.

"You'll see" was all he would say. He grinned
satanically.

Weber didn't realize that Miranda knew exactly to
what he was referring with his threats. She had
thought he might fall for their ploy, but not this
quickly. "What would people say if you suddenly
dropped Mandy to marry me? What about the gossip,
the scandal?"

Weber laughed in amusement. "Since you vowed
you'd never marry me, why speculate?" he teased her.

"You just said I wouldn't have any choice. Why
not?" she pressed.

"For one reason, you love your sister and you
wouldn't want to see her troubled in any way. I have
the feeling you would do anything to make her
happy," he hinted between chuckles.

"Why should I be responsible for her happiness? I
have my own life to consider. Since you're her
sweetheart, how will she be happy if you marry
another woman, especially her own sister?"

"Oh, she might rant and rave fora while because of
bruised pride, but she'll come around to our way of
thinking. We both know Amanda isn't in love with
me; I doubt she could love anyone besides herself. I'm
just the best suitor she's ever had. Since she has to
marry, it might as well be to the superior choice. I
was marrying her for the same reasons. But I'd rather have you. And I will," he vowed nonchalantly.
"You're a beautiful, sensual creature, Randy. And
you don't have any other suitors."

"Only because I don't want any at present. And
you're wrong about Mandy; she has plenty of love to
give, to the right man. You don't bring out her best
qualities. Marriage isn't a business deal, Weber."

"Sometimes, it's the most important deal a man
can make. Think it over, Randy. Don't be too hasty to
spurn me."

When Weber turned to leave, Miranda called his
name. He halted and turned. "Weber, why do you
really want to marry me, knowing how I feel about
you?"

He came to stop within inches of her. For her ears
alone, he murmured, "In spite of what you think,
Randy, I love you. And despite how it will anger you,
I will force you to marry me. In time you'll forgive me
for doing so. I won't frighten you or hurt you again.
Once we're wed, I'm looking forward to finishing
what we started last night. I will be the man to
unleash those passions I sensed in you last night. I
want you as I've never wanted any other woman. I
can make you happy, Randy; I can make you feel
emotions and sensations you never dreamed existed.
No matter how much you try to deny it, you want me.
Go home and consider my words. I want an answer
Sunday afternoon. When I come over, I'll explain
everything to you and Amanda. Both of. you will
agree to my demands, or, shall we say, my wishes."

He left her standing there staring after him. Alarm raced through her as she decided he was insane,
cunningly insane. He was convinced she secretly
wanted him. He even believed he felt the same wayl
That was the most terrifying realization of all. If she
had any doubts about leaving town, they were gone
now.

Miranda hurried home, anxious to get away from
that lust-crazed madman. But the more she saw and
learned about him, the more fear she had for her
sister's safety.

At home, Miranda told her sister about the
shocking meeting with Weber. Amanda's fury rose
by the minute. "That despicable vermin! Just wait
until I--

Miranda grabbed her by the arms and shook her.
"Listen to me, Mandyl" she shrieked in panic.
"Don't you say or do anything to antagonize him
until Reis gets back. If you push Weber into a corner,
he'll strike out at you. Your safety lies in feigned
ignorance, and don't you forget it! You can let him
know he didn't fool you after he's arrested. When he
realizes I'm gone, he'll be furious. But if you let him
discover you know the truth and he realizes he has
lost everything, there's no telling what he'll do.
Promise me you'll be silent," she pleaded.

"He thinks he is so damn clever! How dare he use
me like this! I can't stand the thought of him getting
away with this a day longer! Maybe he isn't as
dangerous as we think. Maybe he will turn tail and
flee if he thinks we're on to him. I'm not afraid of
him!"

"Just who's going to protect you with all of us
gone? My God, Mandy, he is that dangerous; he's
crazy! Even if you file charges against him, you have
no proof. He's a powerful and wealthy man. He
would be released the same day. And aren't you
forgetting something else? What about Reis? If you
issue a challenge, Reis will be the one to fight it for
you. Weber would think nothing of having him
murdered. Pride and revenge are costly, sister."

Amanda grew silent. She paced the floor then
relented. "You're right. I'll behave myself. It just
makes me so angry. I should have listened to you
long ago and dropped Weber. I'm sorry I got you into
this mess, Randy. We'd best get the carriage loaded
before Luke comes," she suggested, forcing a strained
smile.

"Are you sure you don't want me to stay?" Randy
asked gravely.

"No. This plan is best for everyone. Just make sure
you write every day. I'm going to miss you terribly.
Three months is such a long time." She suddenly
hugged her sister.

"When I return, Weber will be in prison, and you
and Reis will be sharing a happy marriage. Just be
extra careful," Randy coaxed again.

"I will. I promise you Weber won't suspect a
thing."

They loaded the carriage which was waiting in the
enclosed yard to the rear of their townhouse. Just
before two Lucas arrived grinning and chuckling.
He told them his plot had worked beautifully and Weber's spy was snoozing behind bushes across the
street, his pockets emptied by a daring old widow in
black. All was ready. The three mounted the carriage
and drove away.

There was no time to waste in reaching the small
depot outside of town. Miranda and Amanda hugged
each other and cried. The whistle blew and Miranda
boarded the train, pondering how long it would be
before she saw her cherished sister again, wondering
what would happen to each of them before that day
arrived. From her window, she waved until she lost
sight of Lucas and her sister. It was done. She would
ride to Baltimore, then wait for Lucas to join her.
They would take another train through Cincinnati
to St. Louis where they would switch to a river
steamer for the remainder of their journey.

Miranda settled back in her seat, dreamy thoughts
filling her mind. She felt a mixture of nervousness
and exhilaration. She was on her way to the Dakota
Territory. Amanda was married to a wonderful man
who would protect and love her. She couldn't believe
this was really happening-that she was going to see
her mother's family and experience her lost way of
life ...

Lucas drove Amanda to the Alexandria station.
With a veiled hat covering her face and concealing
the color of her hair and eyes, she purchased a ticket
to Charleston under her sister's name. She boarded
the waiting train and spoke to the conductor as he claimed part of her ticket. She went to her private
compartment, leaving the hat on the bench there to
insinuate her presence. When the man was busy with
other passengers, she sneaked off the train and joined
Lucas. By five, Amanda was home again; this time
alone.

That night, Amanda wandered around her room
in the shadowy moonlight. Never had she felt so
alone or so lonely. Miranda was gone, gone for at
least three months and so far away. She didn't want to
think about her parents, further away than her sister,
who could never return. Lucas would be leaving
before noon tomorrow. And Reis was somewhere for
another week. At least Mrs. Reed would be returning
to work in the morning ...

Weber was propped lazily against a post at the
train depot by nine-thirty on Friday morning. He
was speaking with one of his henchmen. "Just make
sure Thomas Reed has a nasty accident today, one
which forces his wife to stay home with him for a
good spell. I need a little privacy over at the
Lawrence's. Don't kill the poor fellow; just drop a
heavy crate on his leg or foot."

The man nodded and left to carry out Weber's
orders. Weber observed Lucas Reardon when he
arrived with his belongings. He was curious as to
why Miranda hadn't come to say good-by. Weber had
anticipated escorting Miranda home after Lucas's train departed. Perhaps Lucas had bid them farewell
yesterday afternoon while his careless guard had been
unconscious. Once Lucas was gone, all of his worries
would vanish. By Sunday, the twins and their properties would be in his control.

Lucas noticed Weber watching him and strolled
over to where he stood. "Making sure I leave town,
Richardson?" he taunted.

"Yep," Weber readily admitted. "Is it true you'll be
gone until fall? Can Fate shine so brightly upon a
poor Southern Reb?"

"I'll be back in a flicker if you hurt Amanda in any
way," he warned icily to mislead Weber. "I love her
like a sister, and she deserves better than you. I hope
she changes her mind about you before my return. If
not, then you'd best take real good care of her."

"No concern for Miranda?" Weber mocked him.

"No need. She hates your guts. Besides, Miranda's
in Charleston until September. She left yesterday at
four. I should beat her home."

"Why would she leave when Amanda's so ill?"
Weber questioned, vexation starting to grow like a
vicious disease within him.

"I'm not sure, but she was acting mighty strange,
anxious to leave town. You two didn't have a quarrel,
did you? She was a mite edgy yesterday when I drove
her here. What did you do? Tell her you were moving
in so she had to move out? When is the lucky wedding
day, Richardson?" When Weber remained silent,
Lucas frowned at him. "It sure is gonna be great to miss your face for months. See you around," he stated
flippantly then turned to board the train.