Rise of an Eagle

by Margaret Way

  So deep in thought was Morgan, she failed to notice the arrival of a station hand, a black-haired man dressed in a blue denim shirt and levis.

  'Miss Hartland?'

  Morgan wheeled just as Sultan gave a loud warning whinny. 'Oh, it's you, Adams.' She knew him, of course, but as a rule the men didn't approach her.

  'Just came up to pay my respects, Miss.' Adams said smoothly. He was a big, solid man in his early thirties, fairly new to the station, and attractive in a dark, rather coarse way.

  Morgan nodded. 'I've heard it said you disliked your boss.'

  'My respects to you, ma'am.' he grinned, showing excellent white teeth. 'I wouldn't have given the time of day to your old grandfather. He was one hell of a mean man.'

  Morgan's face lost its look of strain and flushed angrily. 'Who knows, you might find his granddaughter even meaner. Do you really think you can stand there and criticise my grandfather?'

  His face coloured. Take it easy, Miss Morgan. I can't see why you would want to defend him. The news is all over the station. Your cousin has been given custody of the Hartland empire.'

  'Surely as a man you would approve of that?' she asked steadily.

  Adams looped a thumb through his silver-studded belt. 'What makes you think we wouldn't obey your orders?'

  'I haven't found you particularly polite,' Morgan said, disturbed by something in his expression. He was moving closer, his sheer bulk crowding her. 'I think you should go. You must have work to do.'

  His lips twisted in a wry smile. 'You want to smack my face, don't you?'

  Morgan was amazed. 'Adams,' she snapped, 'it would not occur to me to touch you.'

  'Unless you became aware I could make a great ally.'

  'Ally? In what way?'

  Adams smiled, his closely set dark eyes running over her with obvious relish. 'I figure you'll need someone on your side. Someone you can trust. A sort of informer. The men talk all the time.'

  'And I know just what they are talking about this morning.'

  'And how do you feel, Miss Morgan?' Adams asked sympathetically. 'Passed over for a big shot. I understood the two of them were at each other's throats.'

  He could see her flinch. 'Have you anything else to report?' Morgan asked coldly.

  'Don't get the feeling I'm laughin' at you.' He suddenly checked himself. 'I'm on your side. You're one spunky young lady. Beautiful, too. I think you're capable of running the station. Hasn't Hartland got enough to manage? Just how much does he want of the world? Him and his swanky women. I was happy to just stand there and goggle yesterday. You Hartlands have got everything. Not a one of us don't admire those blonde twins and you! If it came to a contest, I'd pick you every time. You're the one to turn a guy on.'

  'And you think I appreciate being told that?' She kept her face cold.

  'Why not?' Adams asked almost dreamily. 'You're a woman, aren't you? You're so bright and aggressive, you don't understand it's a challenge. I love that little beauty spot beside your mouth. It's almost heart-shaped, like your face,'

  What could he be thinking about? 'I think you should get back to your job immediately,' Morgan said with real anger.

  'You look beautiful,' he said, and put out a ponderous hand.

  'Touch me, Adams,' she gritted, 'and you'll have no chance of survival.'

  'Don't you like men, honey?' he crooned. The old guys have been so proud of you since you were a little kid. They tell tales about you all the time, They even tell the way your cousin had to rescue you when you were showing off. You've broken a lot of hearts, do you know? Course, all of them would be too shy to approach you. "She's a Hartland, A very high-class lady." But times are changing There's you for example. Thought you were gonna be boss, and all the time old E.J. was laughin' behind your back. Hartland, too. Maybe all that conflict was just kiddin.' Ever thought of that? You give me your banner and I'll carry it. I always think of you as a gorgeous little princess.'

  Morgan was stunned. 'Adams,' she said sharply, 'I'll give you one more chance. Go away, and never speak to me again.'

  He rubbed his hands together with sheer delight. 'You're full of passion, aren't ya? Great sparkling green eyes and flying hair. How the hell could a little bitty thing like you rule in a man's world? You need projection. You won't get it from golden boy. You oughta know now, honey, he's the enemy.'

  'Your enemy, too, Adams.' Morgan stood her ground, more outraged than she thought possible.

  'This is between you and me.' He stared down at her steadily, transfixed by her expression and that meltingly lovely mouth.

  'That's enough!' Morgan cried furiously. 'You get your things together. I'll have you kicked off the station.'

  His black eyes flickered. 'Is that the little boss talking? Five feet nothing. Simmer down, honey,' he soothed her boldly. 'I wouldn't hurt you for the world. You ever been with a guy?'

  Morgan didn't even hesitate. She brought up the whip she carried and lashed him across the face.

  'Why, you little devil!' His black eyes narrowed so that they almost disappeared. He ignored the red weal that ran from his left cheek along his jaw, faint tremors in his solid body. 'Anythin' would be worth it to kiss you. Touchin' those high little breasts. Know what, you'd love it. There's so much passion in you, I can tell.'

  Morgan eyed him with contempt. 'Just try me,' she warned. 'If I could, I'd have you shot out of hand. As it is, you leave. If you think my grandfather was tough, you had better not tangle with Ty.'

  Adams grinned fiercely. 'Want you himself, does he?'

  Morgan gasped. 'How dare you?'

  Adams sneered. 'Big, handsome, dashing guy. He could have any woman, but I think he fancies you.'

  'Nothing like that!' Morgan said in disgust. 'But he's capable of killing anyone who would harm me.'

  Adams stared at her in bewilderment. 'Who the hell wants to hurt you? One kiss, that's all I want. I'm just fascinated by everything you are. All the time I've bin here, six months, I've never gone a night without thinkin' of you.'

  'That's sick!'

  'No, it's fun!' He reached out and caught her by her shoulder. 'You're a very smart girl, but you've been exploited by men. Your grandfather. Now Hartland. I want to help you. I'm the best man on the station. Didn't old Morrison tell you that? I know my job and I've got a brain. 1 don't like to boast, but I'm a real success with women. You want to toss that little whip away, honey. You don't need it. We'd make a good pair.'

  'Godzilla!' Morgan drew a deep, furious breath. 'Take your hands off me.'

  'That I promise.' He bent his head to her. 'Did you know I saw you swimmin' naked one day? Yes, don't gasp. I did. Wasn't where I shoulda bin, of course. Let me kiss you.' His dark eyes blazed. 'Let me peel that little shirt from your back.'

  Morgan was so outraged, she forgot to be frightened. Could any man be fool enough to assault her on her own land? She pulled back violently, kicking out grievously, but though he grunted in pain he caught a handful of her long, gleaming hairs jerking her head back.

  'I don't want to hurt you. Settle down. I really care what happens to you. Trust me, You're so small, so soft.'

  She had gone through her life being taught how to defend herself, but now? though she was making gallant efforts, it was proving futile, He caught her to him with an excited burst of laughter, crushing her breasts.

  'I swear I won't hurt ya,' he promised. 'You gotta learn what it's like bein' with a man.'

  'You're not a man, you're an ape. A lousy ape!' Morgan felt red rage suffuse her. She groaned aloud as his big hands began to caress her, trying to squirrel away energies for the final ding-dong assault.

  With her head bowed, slight and deceptively doll-like, she didn't even see the man moving with blurring speed up the slope, but she certainly heard his violent shout. 'Get away from her, Adams.' The ferocity, the deadly anger of the tone, had the same effect on Adams as a stray bullet. He dropped the hands that formed a bow across Morgan's body and jumped back in startled reaction. />
  Ty was almost on their level, but suddenly Adams launched his last-ditch offensive. He ran forward with a shout, his right arm lifted high. He was a powerful man, but Ty was advancing with the purpose and speed of a missile. Anger was stark on his face. A primeval outrage. His blue eyes burned and his tall, lean body took on a palpable aura. Energy bounded off him, an unmistakable menace,

  Adams went down like a demolished brick wall and Morgan felt her heart give an involuntary flutter of fright.

  'You didn't have to kill him, did you?' She rushed forward to check on the inert Adams, a perverse terror welling up in her in case Ty should be the one in trouble. 'Leave him!' Ty jerked her away, 'He's all right?'

  'I said, leave him,' Ty repeated so angrily his teeth snapped. 'What was he doing here?'

  'What do you think?' Morgan retaliated, furious at his tone. 'Paying his respects to E.J.' Ty's voice dripped acid. 'Didn't you know he had an rut-size crush on you?'

  'How the hell? The yahoo has only been here six months. He's been fairly normal up until now.'

  'So what did you say to push him over the edge?'

  'I said I loved him,' Morgan shouted. 'I said stick with me and I'll make you foreman.'

  Ty's eyes were glittering like glass. 'No one knows better than you how to send out messages.'

  'Are you nuts? Tell me. I honestly don't know,'

  Ty took a breath, barely keeping himself under control. 'The only way a man could act like that is if you gave him the come-on.'

  Morgan thought smoke would come out of her ears. 'How sweet, how glorious! I encouraged Godzilla?'

  'When are you going to learn, Morgan?' Ty persisted. 'Women like you ought to be locked up.'

  'How absolutely disgusting! Women will never be free of sexual harassment because you men are such brutes, beasts, lustful devils!'

  'No jokes,' he said harshly. 'Women like you can tear a man to pieces. Tatters. I can make it so that Adams won't find employment in three states.'

  Adams, on the ground, began to moan and Ty prodded him into full consciousness with the toe of his riding-boot. 'On your feet, Adams.'

  'What happened?' Adams groaned. 'I don't seem to remember.'

  'Half-wits have poor memories,' Ty pointed out.

  'Son of a gun!' Adams cried admiringly. 'You're the first guy to ever floor me.'

  'Want me to do it again?'

  'What for?' Adams rose groggily. 'I meant no harm. Miss Morgan and me were just havin' a discussion.'

  'More like a brawl,' Morgan said disgustedly.

  'I wouldn't advise you to say any more,' Ty warned him tensely, the muscles of his jaw knotted. 'You're finished here. You know that.'

  'Isn't that a bit callous?' Adams complained. 'I've worked hard.'

  'This has nothing to do with your work. As it happens, you know your job, but no man in his right mind would dare offer insult to our women.'

  Adams was shaking his head madly, trying to clear it. 'That's just what I told you,' he protested earnestly. 'I worship Miss Morgan.'

  'So does every male on the station,' Ty snapped. 'None of them would ever dream of laying a finger on her.'

  'So what do you want me to do?' Adams begged, looking to Morgan for support. 'I'll apologise. It'll never happen again.'

  'You bet it won't!' Ty looked so dangerous, Morgan wanted to get Adams away from him. She gripped his arm, feeling the pent-up rage.

  'No harm was done, Ty. He was acting kind of nobly. For him.'

  'I'm very sorry, Miss Morgan,' Adams offered shrewdly, still affected by that splintering karate chop.

  'Get your gear together,' Morgan said smartly. 'I want you off the station as soon as it can be arranged.'

  'Aren't you comin' on too strong?' Adams complained, staring at her sadly.

  'Get!' Ty roared, exploding so violently that Adams look one look at him and began to run down the slope, gravel skidding from beneath his riding-boots. 'This is between you and me,' he gritted, giving Morgan a searing look. 'He's the best damn hand we've ever had.'

  'Maybe I ought to marry him!' Morgan responded. 'Call him back.'

  Ty made a visible effort to control his ferocity. 'Don't let his apology fool you. He's a crude customer. How long do you think it would have taken before he raped you?'

  'Raped me?' Morgan cried, almost leaping off the ground. 'I don't expect you to give me any credit, but I could have handled Adams had I chosen to.'

  Fury lit Ty's face. 'As it was,' he said violently, 'he was handling you.' His blue eyes fell to her shirt. In her struggle with Adams a button had pulled loose, exposing the golden upper slopes of her breasts. 'Don't you ever wear a bra?'

  'Who the hell wears those old things?'

  'She who seeks to retain her virtue. I've been meaning to speak to you for a long time. That skinny-dipping has got to stop.'

  'Holy hell!' Morgan cried. 'What skinny-dipping?'

  'Like in the creek. You're going to deny it? Half the men on the station are terrified they might come on you.'

  'That's obscene!' Morgan faltered. 'I want to die.'

  Ty gripped her arm. 'You're not a little kid any more. You put a man in a ferment, then you wonder why he goes bananas.'

  'High time you started defending Adams!' Morgan tossed her head. 'Men are all brutes.'

  He laughed shortly. 'That brute is going to pay for his sins.'

  'I sacked him,' Morgan flared. 'Don't ever try to stop me sacking anyone.'

  'How far did he get?' Ty asked in a low voice.

  She wanted to hit him but dared not. 'A lustful bear hug. What are you so angry about? You looked as if you were about to kill him.'

  'You'd better believe it,' he rasped.

  'Don't make me laugh.' Despite the heat, Morgan's teeth were chattering. 'You'll protect me against all comers. Who's going to protect me from you?"

  He glared at her. 'Oh, yes,' he said bitterly. 'I'm a threat without a doubt. Big bad Ty! Why don't you try talking about it to a psychiatrist? I'm the predator and you're my prey.'

  Morgan's heart was beating fast, 'Don't tell me there's not some sort of struggle going on. Why did you kiss me yesterday? You deliberately tried to arouse me.'

  'I didn't have to try very hard.' He studied her without favour.

  'You do have a destructive sex appeal.'

  'Well, it worked for the day. We don't even like each other, yet something about you awakens the primitive. Maybe it's all those bright challenges you throw out. What do they relate to? Do you want to be dominated by a man?'

  'Don't try to psychoanalyse me. It can't be done. I am extremely independent. E.J. reared me that way, may his soul go wailing down the ages. This is the kind of conflict he set up. He had to be slightly touched.

  'Come back to the house, Morgan,' Ty said.

  'What, my half-house?'

  'A house that has forty rooms.'

  'You exaggerate. It has thirty-eight.'

  'Pick any nineteen you like except the study.'

  'That's the symbol of power, is it?'

  'I'll be damned if I'll try shifting the furniture.'

  'You're not going to live with me, Ty. I won't budge an inch.'

  'Must you fight the will?'

  'Buy me out.'

  'And how would you survive away from the place you love? You're giving E.J. a hard time, but he left you very rich. I can't see you in the city, Morgan. You're as wild as the birds. No one could put you in a cage. You wouldn't live.'

  'I'll never live with you,' she repeated.

  'So, I'll get married. We'll have a proper chaperon.'

  'Yes, get married,' she challenged, quivering with a mad rage. 'It would be what the papers call the biggest event of the decade. Phillipa Lynch is quite intelligent and jolly. I don't think I could tolerate Camilla Ogilvie. You could pick from a hundred girls. I'll be bridesmaid with Sandy and Claire.'

  'That's sweet of you, Morgan.' His voice was full of mockery. 'But the idea of you as bridesmaid troubles me. I can se
e you with a little coronet of flowers and a mad glow in your eyes. Try to deny it, but you'd reject any wife!'

  'You go to hell,' Morgan said hotly.

  Ty only laughed grimly.

  Chapter Three

  WHEN Morgan returned to the house, the twins were curled up on the front veranda enjoying morning coffee and the beauty all around them. It was very peaceful on the veranda, looking out over the lushness of the long-established gardens made possible by sinking bores. A summer-house in the Indian style dominated the foreground, its latticed sides surrounded by masses and masses of beautifully scented white lilies. Lawns sloped away and magnificent trees overhung broad gravel paths. Birds made such a song as could never have been heard in the city, and the wompa-wompa of the drums was still being signalled through the hills. It was magical. Mystical. Part of her.