Savage Conquest (7 page)

"The wool over those entrancing eyes so I can
think clearly," he murmured roguishly, grinning at
her.

Amanda couldn't suppress her laughter. "I will
say one thing for you, Mister Harrison, you are a
most persistent and surprising man."

"I hope that's a compliment," he retorted hastily.
"Shall we eat, then discuss future business?"

"Why not? I am ravenous, and this looks delicious."

To her further delight, Reis prepared her plate. As
he worked, she eyed him intently as she sniffed the
fragrant rose.

They ate in silence, but for his offer of more food
and wine. When they finished, he promptly cleared
the desk. He pulled a chair up before it, then sat down
and met her amused gaze. "Well?"

"Well what, Mister Harrison?" she replied.

"Do we do business together?" he ventured.

"What did you have in mind?" she asked, leaning
back in her chair as she teased her nose with the
flower.

Their eyes met and danced with desire. "Business
this afternoon and dinner tonight?" he suggested
warmly.

Temporarily ignoring his last invitation, she
asked, "What kind of business? Have you dealt with
my father before?"

"I haven't, but the men I represent have. They've
been doing business with another firm for months,
but they've decided to deal with yours again, if you'll
agree. They asked me to handle it for them."

"Why did they change to another firm?" she asked
astutely.

"Businessmen always look for faster and cheaper
service. They've decided it's to their advantage to
return to Lawrence Shipping," he explained without
actually lying to her. When this matter was settled, he would reveal the truth, that he and Grant had coaxed
the clients to aid in this investigation. Reis had
already uncovered certain facts in this case. A theft or
switch in products was being done by this firm and
on a ship employed by this firm. It was Reis's job to
find out how the switch was carried out, by whom,
and for what purpose. There was more to this
intricate plot than ruining Northern-owned companies or destroying "traitorous" Southern sympathizers and carpetbaggers. He suspected that
Joseph Lawrence had been innocent in this illegal
and cunning deception. Perhaps he had been killed
after discovering his firm was being used. Reis
needed to find out the connection between Amanda
and Weber, which didn't seem romantic on her part.
But many aristocratic marriages had nothing to do
with love.

Reis and Grant had discovered some of these evil
profits were being used to finance the activities of the
despicable Ku-Klux-Klan and to purchase black
votes to put certain Southern whites in influential
positions in national, state, and local governments.
When money failed to produce the desired results, the
Klan used other means to get their wishes. During a
preliminary investigation, Reis had uncovered
several interrelated plots which dismayed him and
the President.

Reis had unmasked Northerners who were still
victimizing Southern planters or exploiting them.
He had found traces of dangerous hostilities still lingering in certain areas. He had discovered diehard
ex-Rebs who were causing trouble disguised as
antagonistic ex-Yankees. He had learned of unfair
tariffs which were favorable to the North but
devastating the South. There were Northern interests
which were preventing progress in the Southern
railroads and mills, which would lessen the proceeds
in the North. There were Southerners seeking any
means to recover power and property confiscated
during and after the war. Most discouraging and
perilous were the hints at an attempt to one day
revive the Confederacy-gold, weapons, and supplies were being purchased and shipped to the South
and concealed. It troubled Reis that most of his clues
pointed to involvement by this firm.

Damn! he swore mentally. Hadn't this war done
enough damage to the North and South? Why
couldn't it be over once and for all? Sometimes Reis
didn't know who to blame. If the damn newspapers
and embittered writers would stop stirring up
trouble with those poisonous pens, matters might
settle down. Reis warned himself not to be vindictively blind where Weber was concerned. It
bothered him to realize that he hoped that bastard
was responsible so he could arrest him. No matter
how much he despised Weber, he couldn't let the
guilty parties escape while trying to pin something
on his enemy. He had never allowed personal
feelings to color his duty, but it was difficult where
Amanda and Weber were concerned.

He sighed heavily then noticed that Amanda was staring at him. He reprimanded himself when she
commented, "If you're tired or bored, Mister Harrison, we can discuss this tomorrow."

"I'm sorry, Amanda; it's hard to concentrate with
you before me. How about we take a walk and get
some fresh air to clear my head?"

As he requested, Amanda gave Reis a tour of her
office, docking area, warehouses, and a ship which
was in port. At first, she had been subdued. But Reis
watched the suspense and excitement which flashed
over her eyes as she took in the sights. He could tell
she was just as curious about these areas as he was,
just as pleased to inspect them. He observed her as she
laughed and chatted with workers whom she had
known for years, or accepted words of sympathy and
encouragement about her parents. As if he inspired
feelings of confidence and safety, if he lagged behind
she would glance around to locate him. An almost
timid smile would brighten her face when her blue
eyes touched upon him, a smile which he always
returned.

Once as they discussed the differences in local and
foreign markets, their gazes had locked and they had
fallen silent for a time. A noisy loader had broken the magical spell. As they continued their tour, Reis
knew she had spoken truthfully; she knew all about
this business, but not from experience. Even though
she took this business seriously, she was like a child
with a new toy.

As the sun moved closer to the horizon, Amanda
obviously began finding things to discuss or
examine. Reis wondered if she were reluctant to leave
him or the docks. No matter, for it was getting late
and cool.

As they watched a flatboat pull anchor and glide
down the river, Reis inquired, "Is this your first visit
here?"

"I've been here many times with my father, but
never alone. I mostly helped with the books. I hope
that doesn't change your opinion, Reis. I'm sure I
can learn anything I don't know." She was eager to
prove herself, and she needed Reis's three accounts to
begin.

To her relief, he smiled and agreed. "Is safety the
reason why you hired Weber Richardson? The docks
aren't any place for a lady, even a brave one. In fact,
we're inviting trouble to remain after dark."

"Believe it or not, Reis, I can take care of myself.
But I'm not stupid, so I wouldn't come down here
alone. I didn't exactly hire Web; he was kind enough
to take control and run things after ... the accident.
I'm grateful to him, but I'm ready to take over now.
This business has been part of my life for as long as I
can remember; I've even gone on trips with Papa to
make deliveries, to entice new accounts, or to check out problems, so I can handle those matters when
they come up. To sell it seems like cutting all ties
with my past. If I didn't have the business, I wouldn't
have anything to do. A woman can't read and sew all
the time. It's important to me, Reis. This isn't some
childish whim. I promise you I won't disappoint
your friends."

As they returned to her office to lock up for the day,
Reis offered, "I'll make you a deal, Amanda. If I can
hang around for protection and advice while you
adjust to your new position as owner, you can have
these three accounts. That way, everyone's interest
will be safeguarded. I'll even work for free." He
winked at her.

Amanda looked up into his handsome face. "You
want to help me get started? But I thought you were
leaving Friday," she hinted.

"That was just a sneaky trick to make you see me
sooner," he told her. "For the next few months, my
job is to see to my friends' business. That appears to
include assisting their shipper, if she agrees."

Her heart fluttered at the idea of working side-byside with this intoxicating man. How would she
keep her mind on businessl Suddenly she remembered Weber and, before she could stop herself, she
blurted Out her worry. "Web won't like this at all."

"Does that matter to you? You are the owner," he
teased.

Amanda tried to cover her mistake and to keep Reis
off balance. "It just seems kind of traitorous to fire
him and to hire you. The firm might be out of business right now if he hadn't taken care of it. I was
planning to take over completely when he returns,
but I don't want him to think it's because of you," she
rationalized aloud.

"Are you in love with him? Going to marry him?"
He caught her off guard with those blunt and jarring
questions.

"That's none of your business, Reis," she informed him curtly.

"But it is, Amanda," he refuted, backing her
against the wall and pinning her to it with his steely
body. "If you're another man's woman, I can't do
this," he whispered, nibbling at her right ear. "Or
this," he added, closing her lids with kisses. "Or
this," he murmured again, sealing their lips. When
she didn't resist him, he pulled her into his embrace,
fusing his mouth to hers.

Amanda's arms were caught between them and her
lips were helpless to do anything but yield to his
masterful assault. She moaned softly as she pressed
closer to him. Sensing a thrilling innocence in her
response, Reis knew he must halt this madness or risk
seducing her on the wooden floor. He had just
enough presence of mind to realize the damage that
could do to their budding relationship. If he didn't
cease this tempting game, all would be lost. He ached
from the flames which were licking painfully at his
loins, flames which didn't want to be doused by
words or self-control. He stared into her passionglazed eyes. At least he knew she desired him as much
as he desired her.

He stepped backward and inhaled raggedly.
Amanda sank weakly against the wall, staring at
him. "My God, Amanda, do you know what you do
to a man? How you tempt him beyond control? If I
thought for one moment you knew what you were
doing . . . "

Amanda's hand came up to touch her lips, lips
which throbbed with hunger for his. She had never
been kissed like this or had any man cause such
bittersweet sensations to attack her mind and body.
"Why did you do that?" she asked hoarsely. She had
been so mesmerized that he could have taken
anything he desired from her. Why had Reis halted?
Web wouldn't have!

"I've been wanting to since the first moment I met
you, but I was trying to control myself until we got to
know each other better. I'm sorry if I offended you."
He stepped to the desk and sat on its edge.

"Do you go around stealing kisses from any female
who catches your eye?" she inquired, moistening her
dry lips. She wanted to ask why he hadn't seduced
her, but she dared not. Still, she found it odd that she
felt no shame or embarrassment at her unbridled
response.

"No, but you're not just any female. Will you have
dinner with me tonight?" Reis changed the subject
but kept his distance.

"If you promise to control such wild impulses,"
she jested, regaining a measure of poise. She must
keep his power over her a secret. Maybe it was her
imagination or wishful thinking, but Reis also appeared unnerved and puzzled by her effect on him.

"Ouch," he winced playfully. "You wouldn't
want me to lie, would you?" he tested her as the
passion faded in her blue eyes.

Of course not," she stated too quickly.

"Then I can't make such a promise. But I will try
to behave." He tensed as he awaited her response.
Damn, but he wanted her!

"You, sir, are a rake," she declared, then laughed.

"It's one of my dark secrets. I hope it doesn't
change your mind. However, I don't have a nasty
temper or any hideous scars."

Both recalled their first conversation on which he
was playing at that moment. "Do you have other
dark secrets, Mister Harrison?"

Hearty laughter filled the quiet room. "Why don't
we let you decide?" he murmured in a stirring tone.

"All right, Mister Rake. Do I meet you somewhere,
or will you pick me up at home?" She accepted his
stimulating challenge. She had to learn why this
man was so unique, so irresistible, so unsettling.

Reis noted the softened eyes which watched him.
He should warn her not to look at him like that, but
he couldn't deny himself. "I'll pick you up at seven, if
that's agreeable. First, I'll see you home safely." He
lifted the borrowed basket and turned to face her.
"Ready?" he asked, his tone sensually provocative.