Savage Conquest

by Janelle Taylor

  Miranda accepted Reis's handshake and smiled warmly. "It's a pleasure to meet you, sir. Shall I take your coat?"

  Reis's eyes went from one beauty to the next. "You're almost twins," he muttered in surprise. "With different coloring."

  The girls looked at each other and smiled. Miranda hugged Lucas and said good night, her eyes motioning for him to usher the despicable Weber out with him. Lucas grinned, only too delighted to comply. Weber couldn't refuse without acting a fool, so he left.

  When the door closed behind the two men-one frowning and one smiling-Amanda invited Reis to have a brandy. She smiled sheepishly as she told him, "I'm sorry about that little lie, Mister Harrison. Sometimes Web is a bit presumptuous. He has a bad habit of trying to be too helpful," she jested.

  Knowing Weber Richardson was probably lurking outside to see how long he remained, Reis was sorely tempted to accept the invitation. He would have, if Amanda had been alone. But he politely refused the offer, giving the late hour as his excuse. He slipped on his rain slicker and said good night, sending Amanda a smoldering smile which could have melted an entire snowdrift.

  As he walked away from the house with a fluid and confident stride, Amanda stood in the open doorway, oblivious to the cool, damp air, watching him until the shadows devoured him. She closed the door and leaned against it, sighing peacefully.

  Miranda giggled and commented, "He's quite a man."

  Amanda sighed again, eyes dreamy. "Yes, he is, Randy. We're meeting for lunch tomorrow," she divulged happily, then revealed who Reis was and why he had appeared at their door tonight.

  "Aren't you spoken for, Mandy? What about Web?" Miranda asked softly, observing her sister's interest in Reis.

  "Who?" Amanda teased playfully, winking at Miranda. "Besides, Reis is only business, my first client."

  Their gazes fused; they burst into mirthful laughter.

  Reis stood before his hotel window watching the gentle rainfall and sipping a tepid brandy. He hadn't expected to find Joseph Lawrence dead under mysterious circumstances. Reis flung himself across his bed without bothering to undress. This case was suddenly very complex and perilous. He hadn't imagined he would meet a dream like Amanda Lawrence and positively not on this crucial trip. More so, he hadn't envisioned confronting Lieutenant Weber Richardson here! Perhaps that sadistic exRebel officer had forgotten the awesome day when they had met, but Major Reis Harrison never would.

  Reis had tried to accept his losses during a vicious war. He had tried to repair his torn life, to master his bitterness, to govern the urge to track that one foe and justifiably slay him. After all, if every person gave in to vengeful impulses, the conflict between the two sides would never end.

  Somehow all these facts and people were intertwined, and he dreaded untangling them. Only President Grant knew why Reis had been sent here. With so much greed and corruption surrounding him, Grant didn't know who to trust. It was up to Reis to find some answers for him, answers to halt some explosive problems, answers to who was involved and why.

  He cursed the heavens for putting Amanda in the center of this new crisis, for there could be no middle ground .. .

  When Miranda entered the sitting room the following morning, she found her sister pacing the floor, a look of annoyance wrinkling her forehead. Miranda watched from the doorway for a few moments before asking, "What's wrong, Mandy?"

  Amanda halted her movements and glanced at her discerning sister. Waving a paper in her tight grasp, she replied, "See this? It says Mister Reis Harrison doesn't want to meet with me today. He could have sent his refusal before I was dressed and ready to leave," she declared angrily, unaccustomed to being put off by a man.

  Miranda was quick to notice how lovely her sister looked this gloomy morning. Clearly Amanda had taken extra pains with her clothes and hair. She had been so excited about this appointment. Now, she looked distressed. Obviously, Amanda was suffering more from disappointment at not seeing Reis than from singed pride. "What does the letter say? Why did he cancel the meeting?" Miranda probed curiously.

  Amanda stated skeptically, "He claims the weather is too bad for me to leave home. He wants to postpone our talk for a few days. He says he has other business he can settle first. Damn him!" she muttered, jerking the ribbons loose from her stylish hat and tossing it on the sofa with her cape. This action revealed the extent of her edginess, as Amanda was always careful with her clothes and belongings.

  "Amanda Lawrence! You shouldn't speak so crudely. You recall how often Papa had to change plans at the last minute. The weather's awful. I think he's most considerate."

  "You believe this excuse about the weather and other business? He probably thinks I don't have the brains to run Lawrence Shippingl" she declared, wanting her sister to convince her otherwise.

  "Mandy, you stop this! You shouldn't judge him guilty of deception until you have proof. He didn't strike me as a dishonest or calculating man. If you hadn't found Mister Harrison so handsome and charming, you wouldn't be so vexed by this note. I saw the way you two looked at each other," she teased knowingly. "Mandy, don't spoil things before giving him a chance to explain," she entreated, praying this vital man could pull Amanda's attention from Weber.

  "Spoil things?" Amanda echoed. "There's nothing to spoil. We only met last night, and we've noth ing in common but business."

  Miranda gayly challenged, "That isn't the way it looked to me, nor to Weber. Did you see the look on his face when you dismissed him like an errant child? I'd bet he wanted to choke you and Mister Harrison." Miranda's voice waxed serious as she asked, "Mandy, isn't Weber getting awfully possessive of you? You two aren't betrothed. Why did Weber act so rude and hostile last night?"

  "Probably jealousy. You met Reis; can you blame Web? Reis was being flirtatious when Web joined us. Actually, I was rude to Web first, but he made me so mad!" she confessed.

  "Web was definitely trying to show Mister Harrison he has a prior claim on you. From the way you two acted, maybe Mister Harrison thought he had interrupted a lover's spat. Maybe that's why he canceled; perhaps he's waiting to see if you're available," Miranda hinted slyly.

  "Don't be silly, Randy. Reis was just playing a game with me. He probably thinks he can enchant every female he meets. I bet he had no intention of doing business with us. I could flog myself for acting like a fooll That damn Yankee probably thinks Southern girls don't know how to do anything but look pretty! Just wait until I see Mister Reis Harrison again; I'll straighten out his thinking," she threatened. She would not be an amusing game for any man.

  "Don't do anything you'll be sorry for, Mandy. Mister Harrison doesn't appear the designing type, like some of your other suitors. He probably knows you're flooded with offers, and he's afraid of the competition. Af ter al 1, he is a stranger and a Yankee."

  "Reis Harrison didn't strike me as a man afraid of anything. But if he thinks to entice me by seeming disinterested, he's wrong!" Suddenly Amanda's expression grew thoughtful.

  "What is it?" Miranda inquired, coming to stand by her sister.

  "Before you and Luke joined us, something odd happened. Web asked Reis if they had met before. Reis didn't say yes or no. But the way they looked and acted ... It was like-"

  "Like what?" Miranda asked anxiously.

  "Fierce enemies meeting again. Worse than the situation between Web and Luke. I wonder why," Amanda murmured worriedly.

  "Are you forgetting Web was a Confederate officer and Reis was a Yankee less than eight years ago? Some men can't forgive or forget those times. From what I've seen, Web hates all Yankees. And if Reis thinks you and Web are close, that might cause resentment toward you. You did tell white lies to both men. If you'll remember, the trouble started last night when Web confronted you two in the hallway and acted as if he owned you," Miranda speculated.

  Amanda wondered if Weber was the real reason for Reis's change of plans. Or was Reis merely used to having his way where women were concerned? She wanted to learn more about both men, es
pecially that magnetic stranger who was affecting her emotion ally. "I think I'll go down to the office," Amanda announced.

  "But the weather is too bad to go out," Miranda debated. "If you run into thatdashing Reis, he might think you're chasing him. I wonder what Weber will have to say about Reis dropping your meeting?"

  The cunning hints struck home. Amanda didn't want either man to speculate wildly on her actions. Web would be gone by midafternoon, and Reis was out there somewhere. She was being childish and impulsive. Postponing a business meeting with her was not a crime, an insult, or a rejection.

  "You're right as usual, Randy. I'll go to the office tomorrow. I want a good look at our books while Web is away. If Reis's business is near our firm, it wouldn't be wise to run into him accidentally."

  Miranda stared at her mercurial sister. "If he merely put off your talk until the weather clears, why are you acting this way?"

  "Because he could have delivered the message himself. It was storming last night when he came here. So why does he suddenly use the weather as an excuse to avoid me? If he truly thinks it's too bad to go meet him, he could come here," she rationalized.

  "What privacy could you have if Web called again? He could have learned Weber is handling the firm for you. Since Reis doesn't know how often you see each other, it might be Web he wants to avoid."

  Amanda met her sister's mischievous smile. "You think so?"

  "You know more than I about men and romance. He's different, Mandy. I've never seen you act like this about a man. I think something happened between you two the moment you met, just like Mama said. Reis Harrison is a rare find, and I think you're a fool if you mess it up before you see that fact too," her sister blurted out.

  Before Amanda could tell her how silly or absurd that was, Miranda danced toward the door, humming to herself. Just before closing it, Miranda warned devilishly, "Watch out, Mandy; you might be falling in love with Reis." Amanda stared at the closed door, allowing those startling seeds to take root in her fertile mind.

  That's ridiculous! she mentally rationalized. How could I fall in love with a perfect stranger? Perfect. Perhaps you're too perfect, Reis Harrison. Of all the men I've ever known or seen, none have compared to you. Can Randy be right? Did you cast some magical spell over me last night? If not, why can I think of nothing but you? Why did I go to sleep thinking of you? Awake thinking of you? Why am I so afraid you won't come around again? Why does the thought we've met for the first and last time cause me such sadness and anguish? Is this a cruel joke by Fate? Have you done to me what I've done to so many men? I must see you again, Reis. I must understand these crazy feelings.

  Around eight that evening, the housekeeper answered the door and delivered a note to Amanda. Her anger returned twofold when she read it. "How dare he!" she shrieked aloud. "Listen to this, Randy' 'Miss Amanda Lawrence, I have reserved a private table at the Windsor for our lunch and to discuss a possible business deal. I shall expect you at noon.' It's signed by Reis Harrison. Not,'will you meet me'; or, 'is it convenient'; just an order!"

  Miranda wanted to tell her sister she was overreacting, but she knew Amanda wouldn't listen. A masterful man was a new thing to Amanda. Men had always pursued her, falling over themselves and each other to gain her eye or to carry out her wishes. Suddenly, here was a man whom she couldn't control or bewitch, one who made her the huntress and not the prey for a delightful change. Obviously this Reis wasn't overly impressed with her beauty, wealth, and station. Miranda wondered how her sister would deal with this unspoken challenge, a challenge poor Reis might not realize he had issued. Apparently her sister had much to learn about a real man.

  "I'm not going," Amanda stated defiantly. "If Mister Harrison wants to see me, he can ask, not summon! He should pick me up in a carriage. Him and his stupid notes! When I don't appear, that should teach him a thing or two about ladies and manners! "

  "You're being spiteful, Amanda Lawrence. He's arranged a business meeting, not a date," Miranda reminded her stubborn sister.

  "Then perhaps I should think twice about doing business with an ill-mannered rake. How does he know I'm not busy tomorrow? He could have asked," she reasoned petulantly.

  "First, you're angry because he cancels; now, you're angry when he sets a new appointment. What's wrong with you, Mandy? Do you or do you not wish to see him? You could lose his business by behaving like a spurned woman ora spoiled brat. Go and meet with him," Miranda encouraged.

  "I can't," she vowed willfully. "If I rush to meet him, he'll think he can treat me in this despicable and rude manner. Mister Reis Harrison needs to learn a valuable lesson about women. If I had been a man, he wouldn't have canceled the first meeting; and he surely wouldn't set up a new one in such an offensive way. If we're to do business, he must treat me equally and respectfully."

  "Be honest with yourself, Mandy," her sister advised gravely. "You're really upset because he's ignoring you as a woman. If he's stung your pride, don't let it show. You can't bedazzle every male. Are you afraid of him?" she conjectured seriously.

  "Afraid of him? He didn't appear to, be dangerous," she replied.

  "That's not what I meant. He frightens you in some way."

  Amanda flushed guiltily. "There is something about him which confuses me. He made a fool of me last night. He flirted outrageously with me, and I responded likewise. Now, he feels he can treat me as he pleases. I won't chase any man, and certainly not a total stranger. I don't like losing control of such a situation," she admitted.

  "What's so terrible about giving the reins to such a stimulating man? How many times have you complained about suitors who lack courage and brains? You don't want someone you can lead around by a ring through his nose. If he intrigues you, Mandy, discover why."

  "For one who claims to know little about men and romance, you offer a great deal of advice," Amanda teased her sister. "What about you, Randy? Have you ever met anyone intriguing?"

  "Not yet, but I will one day," Miranda replied confidently.

  "How so, when you stay home all the time? You think some irresistible stranger is going to appear at your door one stormy night to sweep you off your feet?" she continued merrily.

  "Why not? It happened with you," she ventured boldly.

  "Miranda Lawrence, you never give up, do you?" she wailed.

  "Not when I see that same look in your eyes as I saw in Mama's. Have you ever met a man like Reis? No," she answered her own question.

  Still, Miranda couldn't persuade her sister to accept the appointment with Reis the next day. Instead, Amanda went to visit friends, just to be unavailable if Reis called. Actually, Amanda was disturbed by the way she had behaved with Reis. She had never met a commanding and imposing man, and she didn't know how to deal with one or the sensations which he aroused. She had acted like an infatuated and foolish young girl, and knew she had to be wary of his powerful effect. She refused even to send a note of regret or refusal.

  When Reis came by in midafternoon to see why Amanda hadn't arrived for their meeting, Miranda was too embarrassed to speak with him. Knowing she couldn't lie with a clear conscience or straight face, she ordered their housekeeper to tell Reis that Amanda was out for the day. She was bemused by. the message Reis left for Amanda: "If Miss Lawrence decides to meet with me, tell her to contact me at the hotel before I leave Friday."

  Amanda was given the cool message upon her arrival home. "First, a command appearance; now, an ultimatum. Just who does he think he is, Randy? Mrs. Reed said he looked terribly angry."

  "He should be. You insult his manners then behave just as rudely. The least you could have done was send a note to say you weren't coming," Miranda scolded her. "Is this any way to handle business? If you don't want to be treated like a spoiled woman, then don't behave like one. If you want him to pursue you, Mandy, then you'd best give him the opportunity before he leaves Friday."

  "Why are you speaking so hatefully, Randy?" she quizzed.

  "Because I'm mad. You rant about ho
w all males are alike; then when someone different comes along, you're furious because he doesn't behave like all the rest. I don't understand you, Mandy. You haven't chosen a sweetheart because not one man you've dated has stood out from the others. Suddenly a strong and virile male magically appears on your doorstep, and you're chasing him away because you can't wrap him around your finger like all the rest who aren't worth having."

  "That isn't true, Randy. I'm just ..." She fell silent, turning her back to her sister. How could she explain her feelings?

  "Just what?" the dark-haired girl demanded.

  "You asked me if I was afraid of Reis. Maybe I am. Oh, Randy, he makes me feel and think such puzzling things. I'm at such a loss when he's near. I'd probably act like an idiot at our meeting. Can I risk falling for the only man who doesn't seem interested in me?" Tears glimmered on her lashes.

  "From what I observed, Reis is most impressed by you."

  "But in what way, Randy? I won't argue that he found me charming or desirable. What if that's all he sees and wants from me? He's dangerous, Randy, for he has the power to hurt me." With that fear spoken aloud, she knew she must deal with it, with the source of it.

  "You're serious, aren't you?" When Amanda nodded, Miranda smiled and suggested, "Why don't you find out how you affect him? It isn't like you to be a coward or to be so insecure."

  "That's the problem," Amanda sighed. "I haven't been me since I met Reis."

  Reis sat at the table in his room, making notes and planning. He had done some checking on Richardson, Amanda Lawrence, and both shipping firms. He didn't like what his search had revealed or the implications. He couldn't figure out why Amanda didn't want Weber to know he was here on business, not after discovering that Weber was in control of her firm. More confusing and plaguing was the fact that Weber and Amanda were rumored to be heading for the altar. Very strange .. .