Savage Conquest (8 page)

Amanda grinned but didn't make the naughty
comment which was teasing her tongue. He certainly
had a way of making her feel like freshly churned
butter beneath a blazing sun. She couldn't decide why she felt so carefree and daring around Reis, so
happy and alive. She nodded and followed him out,
locking the door.

As they approached a busy street, Reis took her
hand and guided her across. At the other side he
didn't release it, and Amanda couldn't break this
pleasing contact. Even if she had thought about
someone seeing them, it wouldn't have worried her
today. His hand was so warm and strong but his grip
so gentle. Nothing felt more natural than strolling
with Reis, or more serene than being in his company,
or more enticing than his touch. Amanda was glad
she wasn't wearing gloves, for his flesh was delightful.

Reis left her at her front door, saying he would
return later. The moment he was out of sight, she
raced inside and up the stairs to decide which gown
to wear. Miranda had been watching from her
window. She sighed happily and smiled, heading for
Amanda's room.

When she knocked, Amanda sang out for her to
enter. "Did you get much work done?" she asked
innocently.

Amanda whirled and laughed. "I saw Reis this
afternoon. He's taking me to dinner tonight. That
should please you, dear sister."

"It obviously pleases you, dear sister," she teased,
witnessing Amanda's exuberance and starry eyes.
Amanda had never pursued a man; but from the way
she was acting, it appeared she intended to start with
this one. Miranda was happy for her, as Reis seemed a perfect match.

"Yes, it does," Amanda stated honestly. She told
Miranda about their deal and visit. "Need I say you
were right?"

"It's just like Mama said, isn't it, Mandy?" she
asked hopefully as she observed her ecstatic sister.

Amanda giggled as she vowed, "Even better."

When Reis came for her that night, he couldn't
believe his senses. She was even more beautiful, if
possible. "The way you look, you're not planning to
help me keep my word, are you?" he chided her,
remembering that she hadn't pulled her hand from
his or spurned his touch at her office. Did she think
he was made of iron? Did she think he could govern
the situation between them without her help? Where
was the arrogant ice maiden she was alleged to be?
Doubtlessly, spurned males considered her such
because she had refused their advances. He realized
that only a rare and lucky man could win Amanda's
love and stir her passions. Fortunately, he thrived on
challenge.

She laughed merrily. "If that was a veiled
compliment, Reis, thank you. You look quite
handsome yourself."

"A woman who isn't afraid to speak her mind.
Excellent."

As they dined in a candle-lit corner of the
restaurant in the Windsor Hotel, she asked, "Where
are you from, Reis?"

"Texas, but I live in Washington," he replied
casually.

"That explains your western attire, but I thought
you were a Yankee," she remarked, her mind
spinning at his nearness.

"You say that as if it's a nasty word, Amanda. If it
makes a difference to you, I was in the Union army,"
he informed her, knowing Weber would tell her, if he
hadn't already.

"Why?" she probed inquisitively, lowering her
fork and focusing her full attention on him.
Something different about him tugged at her mind,
but she was too enchanted to comprehend it.

"Do you really want to discuss my past politics? Do
you hold some grudge against the Union?" he
inquired anxiously, dismayed that she had broached
this particular subject tonight. After dropping his
pretense, he should have expected it, as Amanda was
smart and alert.

"Of course not. Papa remained neutral because he
didn't feel either side was totally right. We never had
slaves on our plantation, but we are Southerners.
When Virginia sided with the Confederacy, we were
included in the hostilities whether we wanted to be or
not.,,

"But your father held on to his plantation and
shipping firm," he asserted genially, hoping she
would explain how and why. He had to make certain
he could trust this winsome beauty.

"Yes, but it was difficult. We made enemies on
both sides," she answered sadly as she recalled
unpleasant memories.

Comprehending this point, he stated, "But the war has been over for years, Amanda. Are you having
problems with someone?"

"I know it's over, but many don't accept it. There
are Northerners and Southerners who still won't do
business with us. Sometimes I think the conflicts will
never end. Is it over for you, Reis?"

"Any man who battles his brother gets scars from
it, Amanda, wounds which heal slowly or not at all,"
he answered candidly. "Each man must find his own
cure or method of treating such injuries."

"Do you have any family?" she asked abruptly.

"No," he stated sullenly. "Would you like some
dessert?"

"What happened to them?" She persisted despite
his chilling mood.

He met her gaze and replied evenly, "Rebs killed
them while I was off fighting other Rebs. Afterward,
they burned our ranch to the ground. I still own the
property, but I've never gone back."

"I'm sorry," she murmured, wishing she hadn't
pressed him.

"Dessert?" he asked again, seeming to look right
through her. He was suddenly tense and distant.
Could he trust this woman who had ties to a snake
like Richardson? If he was wrong about Amanda, she
could destroy him and crush this vital mission. Until
he was sure of her, he dared not get too close.

"No thanks," she replied, witnessing a withdrawal
in him.

As if anxious to end their evening, the moment
they finished he remarked, "It's late. I'd best get you home. I'll see you tomorrow."

Reis paid for their meal then escorted her home, all
in moody silence. At the steps, he bid her good night
and turned to leave.

"Reis," she called to him in panic. He halted and
turned, his expression concealed by shadows. He
seemed so remote. "Nothing," she murmured,
scolding herself for spoiling a lovely evening,
pondering how she had done so.

In the moonlight playing upon her face, Reis saw
the effects of his rash behavior. Tears glittered on her
lashes; her expression exposed hurt and confusion.
From what he had learned about her, this was
unusual behavior for haughty and coy Amanda
Lawrence. Reis knew he had upset her and he didn't
want to push her away, but he couldn't explain
matters to her for a long time. This case was forcing
him to relive some painful times, times he hadn't
allowed himself to think of in years. He surged
forward, caught her in his arms, kissed her soundly,
then hurried away before she could respond or speak.
Whatever her part in this messy and hazardous
affair-innocent or intentional-Reis felt he must
find a way to protect her, to save her from danger.

Amanda stood there, utterly bewildered. If any
other man had treated her this way, she would have
berated him furiously and refused to see him again.
Oddly, she wanted to comfort Reis, to go after him.
She concluded Reis must have some hidden scars, if
not on that firm and virile body, then surely on his
soul. She must never mention the war or his family again, if he returned. That had to have been the
source of his abrupt change.

Change, she mused to herself. She slipped her arms
around the porch pillar and rested her cheek against
it, concentrating on this mysterious and arresting
man. All at once, she knew what had been bothering
her all evening. Until he had kissed her this
afternoon, Reis had spoken with a northern accent;
since then, his voice had altered to a stirring blend of
western and southern drawls!

Amanda was puzzled. That's why she had assumed
he was a Northerner. The change had registered ' in
her mind; that's why thoughts of Yankees and Rebs
had come forth. But why would a man use a phony
northern accent then switch to a southern one? Was it
intentional or accidental? Did he think her so dense
she wouldn't notice?

But he had confessed to being from Texas, to being
a Southerner! Was this some kind of game she didn't
understand? She couldn't help but feel duped, and
she needed to know why he had deceived her. What
was he doing to her? What did he want here? She tried
to recall every word he had spoken and every
expression since their meeting. No explanation came
to mind. Amanda was very adept at playing wily
games with people, and she felt that Reis was up to
some mischief. Before he gained too much influence
over her, she vowed to uncover-his-sport and its rules.

Amanda left the house early the next morning,
anxious to get to the office and complete her study of
the books before Weber's return. After opening the safe, she was astonished to find the missing book
behind the others. Her eyes widened in confusion.
Weber had not returned to Alexandria, so how had
this book found its way back into a locked safe and
office? How could she have overlooked an item of its
size and importance? She sighed in frustration and
scolded herself for her carelessness.

Clearly the book must have been there yesterday.
She ordered herself to clear her wits. This book
contained the most recent business dealings of her
father's firm, with some personal entries at the rear.
Perhaps the names of Reis's clients would offer her a
clue to his sudden appearance and curious conduct.

Reis had told her that his friends had changed
firms months ago. Perhaps her father had made
helpful notations about those dissatisfied customers.
Sure enough, Amanda located the three names which
had halted business with Lawrence Shipping, all at
the same time-their three largest accounts! She was
shocked to learn that all three had switched to
Richardson's Shipping.

She carefully went over those three records. There
were old notes about shipments and cargoes, coded
messages which only her father could understand.
Was it possible those clients had created phony
complaints just to cancel with him?

Amanda wondered how Weber's firm was handling that much business. If Weber had pulled some
trick to gain those accounts, he would have destroyed
this enlightening evidence, knowing she would
eventually see it. After all, Weber had been in control of her firm and its bookslor two months. Was it true
that Reis's friends weren't receiving the cheaper and
faster service they had sought from Richardson's?
Did Web know he was losing these accounts back to
her? Had he gone to see these men, to try to hold
them? She knew Weber wanted to expand his
business, needed to do so. Was Weber afraid of losing
everything a second time? Reis or no Reis, if these
men were trouble, she didn't want to have them back.

Amanda returned her attention to the critical book
at hand. She went over every fact and figure listed
there. When she doubted her conclusions, she went
over them again, and again.

When she couldn't deny the implications of those
pages, she lay the book aside and closed her eyes to
rest them. Amanda was alarmed by the shocking
discovery that the firm was in terrible financial
condition, the plantation had been sold, and the
townhouse was mortgaged. How was that possible?
Her father had said nothing to them. If business
didn't pick up, the company wouldn't survive
through June. What would happen to her and
Miranda? Even if they sold their possessions and
jewels, the money wouldn't last long.

Was this why Weber was pressing her about
marriage? Not to gain a lucrative company and a
wealthy business, but to spare her from humiliating
bankruptcy? Was this why he didn't want her to take
over, to keep her from learning the grim truth? She
recalled him saying something about choosing him
for himself and not for his position. She had taken the remark as a joke. Weber was so proud; he didn't
want anyone to think she was marrying him for his
money. He wanted them affianced before this news
could be revealed. Did he hope to save her company
by absorbing it into his? One thing appeared certain.
Weber wasn't after her for the business; he couldn't
be, for he knew its condition.

Amanda felt awful that she had had such wicked
thoughts about Weber. One particular item plagued
her; Weber had loaned her company a large amount
of money to pay the bills for the past month .. .

What a selfish fool she was! While dear Weber was
trying to help her, she was romancing another man.
How could she take over and run a business that was
losing money every day? How blind she had been. So
much for Luke's suspicions and contempt. If not for
Weber, she and Miranda would have lost everything.

. How could she accept the accounts Reis was
offering to her? From her father's past notations, they
had switched to Web's company. They had to be his
three largest accounts, and to take them away might
ruin him, alienate him. Could she do such a cruel
thing after all Weber had done for her and her sister?
Far worse, how deeply would it hurt Weber if she put
Reis Harrison in his place, in the firm and in her life?
Did Web truly love her and want her for herself?

Why hadn't Weber told her how things really
stood? He must think her ungrateful and insensitive.
From the way it looked, Weber had supported her
and Miranda for the past two months and never
claimed any credit or repayment. Now that she was indebted to Web, what would he expect or demand in
return? Did Web want her totally dependent upon
him before telling her about the sorry state of her
business and personal finances? Were his actions
selfish or lovingly generous? This situation was
painful and complex.

Amanda realized that Weber would know she had
discovered the truth when he returned to find her in
the office with her nose in the books. She should get
out of here quickly and not return until she decided
what to do with this dreadful information. She
quickly put things as they had been left before his
departure. She could only pray that he wouldn't
discover her probing actions and force a talk before
she was ready.