Savage Conquest

by Janelle Taylor

  Amanda threw herself into chores at home, trying to shut out the emotional demands of both Reis and Weber. She told herself Reis was just another man, a past enemy, a treacherous beguiler. But Reis wasn't just a man. He was unique. Amanda was torn between wanting him and rejecting him. Why did Reis have to be the one to bring her emotions to life? Why did thoughts of him torment her day and night? How could she punish him for her misery? Had Reis lied to her or misled her? If she questioned him, would he? Amanda finally realized she was being a coward. She was too frightened to seek the truth, fearing the revelation could hurt her more than she was hurting now.

  Miranda witnessed the rising turmoil in her sister-the desire to see Reis and to hear his side was fiercely battling the fear of how to handle what he would tell her. She wondered how her sister could agree to marry Weber when her thoughts were filled with Reis.

  Needing a distraction, Miranda met Lucas Reardon for lunch and a stimulating conversation. As she was strolling home, she bumped into Reis Harrison as she rounded a corner. Miranda wondered if Reis had arranged the meeting. They smiled genially at each other and exchanged greetings. As Miranda brushed past him, Reis gently caught her arm.

  "Miss Lawrence, could you tell me why your sister is avoiding me? Did I say or do something to offend her?" he inquired, setting his plan into motion, a plan which could use an understanding partner.

  "It seems we've had this conversation before, Mister Harrison. Why don't you ask Amanda, not me?" she suggested softly.

  Reis sighed in frustration. "I've tried countless times. Amanda is a very special lady. I thought we were getting close. Then something happened which I need to understand. Is it because of Weber or me? How can I solve a problem which she refuses to clarify?"

  Miranda looked up at him. Unless she was mistaken, he was distressed by Amanda's behavior. Did she have the right to interfere? "May I ask you a question first, sir?" she countered.

  "Of course," Reis responded curiously.

  "Why did you really come to Alexandria, Mister Harrison?" she questioned candidly, her eyes clear and her tone direct.

  "I'm here on business, Miss Lawrence. But I sense that isn't the meaning behind your question," he astutely remarked.

  "What kind of business, sir?" she pressed boldly.

  "Private," he replied, watching for any clue to her scheme.

  "When is revenge a private business, sir?" Miranda asked softly, stunning him and confusing him.

  It wasn't what Reis had expected to hear. "Revenge? I don't follow your meaning. I came here to clear up some shipping problems with your father. That first night at your home, Amanda said she had taken control, and I would deal with her. I must confess I was wary about dealing with a woman, but Amanda is a most unusual one," he remarked mischievously, then grinned at some pleasant thought.

  His voice waxed grave as he continued. "Everything was going fine, then she backed away from our deal the morning after we'd had dinner together. She seemed nervous, almost frightened of something. I'll be honest with you, Miranda; I did steal a few kisses, but it's not just a romantic rebuff I'm getting. She's rejecting me on all levels. She told me to discuss my deal with Richardson. That's a little tricky since he's the one who holds those accounts at present. We spent a lot of time together while Richardson was away; we toured the docks and discussed business. I'm positive she's capable of running that firm herself, so why hand it over to him? Why refuse to take back accounts which he enticed from your father months ago?"

  He looked into Miranda's troubled gaze as he inquired, "Is it a matter of loyalty to him? I found her crying in the office one afternoon. When I tried to comfort and question her, she raced out as if terrified of me, or something else. Suddenly she won't have anything to do with me. Why is she refusing to see me? I must know, Miranda; she means a lot to me. Maybe I was dreaming, but I thought she was feeling the same about me."

  Seeking her own clues to this riddle, Miranda bravely asked, "What happened that last morning in the office before she raced home? Why doesn't she want Weber to know you two met and talked there?"

  Reis made no attempt to hide his astonishment at those words. To see how much, if anything, Miranda knew about their situation, he told her that Amanda had been going over the books, when he arrived. He disclosed her behavior, her refusal of his contracts, and her odd request to keep their talks and visits a secret from Weber. "She didn't want him to know she'd been in the office or seen the books. Since both are hers, I thought her request strange, but I honored it.,,

  Miranda became pensively silent. What was going on with Amanda? She had been enchanted by Reis Harrison; she had been ready to take control of their firm; she had seemed prepared to drop Weber from her life. Then suddenly it all changed. She was rejecting Reis and the firm, and accepting Weber. Why? What had she seen in those books? Positively, Amanda was keeping something alarming and critical from her ...

  "Miranda, is something wrong? Do you know what the problem is?" he inquired gently, although Reis was positive Miranda didn't know the dismaying situation which Weber and McVane had cleverly arranged with their false entries.

  "No, but I intend to learn what's troubling my sister. You're right about one thing; it started that morning. It's gotten worse during the last week since Weber's return. Did you ride with Sherman during the war? Did Weber really shoot you?" she asked bluntly.

  Reis stiffened. "So that's it," he murmured coldly. "Just what did Richardson tell your sister about me?"

  Instead of answering, Miranda asked more questions. "Did he tell Mandy the truth about you? Do you think he burned your ranch and killed your family? Did you track his troops and kill all except him? Did you come here to take revenge on him? Is Mandy a cruel part of it?" she probed, barely stopping to take a breath.

  "I must know everything he said about me. Is Amanda going to marry this Richardson to punish me, to spite me?" He clenched his fists in frustration.

  Before Miranda could help herself, she blurted out, "I hope not!"

  "So do I, Miranda, so do I," he quickly agreed.

  Miranda's piercing gaze traveled over Reis's face. "You didn't answer my questions, Mister Harrison. Tell me how you know Weber."

  "If you don't mind, I'd rather explain all of this to your sister and let her explain it to you. It's a long, painful story. I will tell you this much, Miranda; it wasn't like he said. About the only truth he told was that he shot me. Weber Richardson is a sly and dangerous man. It might help if you remind Amanda that he has been in full control of her books for months; whatever's recorded there, he entered it. Perhaps she shouldn't trust everything she reads in them. And she certainly shouldn't feel obligated to marry him because of what she thinks he's doing for her," he stated mysteriously.

  Miranda gazed inquisitively at him. "You know what's in those books, don't you? You know why she feels she must marry him."

  "If I told Amanda what I suspect, she wouldn't believe me. Besides, I can't explain to either of you how I know such things. Weber has set a cunning trap for Amanda, but she's so confused she doesn't see it. Try to inspire some suspicion about those books and Weber's claims. You might also let her know that Lawyer McVane is a close friend of Weber's. If I were you two, I wouldn't trust him so completely. Weber has Amanda convinced I'm the enemy, but I'm not, Miranda. I'm going to save her from that devil, even if I have to kidnap herl"

  Miranda smiled warmly. "I don't know why, sir, but I believe you. If it matters what my sister thinks and feels about you, I would explain things to her as quickly as possible," she suggested.

  "How? I can't get near her," he stated in exasperation.

  Miranda grinned as she offered a solution. Reis chuckled. "What happens when Amanda discovers you've helped me?"

  "If I haven't misjudged you, sir, she'll be delighted -after she flogs us all for pulling such a trick! If I'm wrong about you, you'd best fear me and Luke more than Weber." They joined in mirthful laughter, then shook hands before going their separate ways
to dress and prepare for their impending charade.

  It was nearing midnight when Miranda returned home from dinner with Lucas and Reis. She was apprehensive but excited about putting her daring scheme into motion. She was grateful Lucas had agreed to play a role in this delightful drama. Reis had met them at a small and quiet restaurant near the edge of town. After talking for hours, Miranda and Lucas were both eager to assist the bold Mister Harrison.

  Lucas was willing to help just to get even with Weber for stealing his sweetheart, then casting the unfortunate and tarnished girl into the street.to work as a cheap prostitute. What made the sore fester rather than heal was Weber's constant reminders of his foul deed, his tauntings about Luke's taking Marissa back into his arms. For all of Lucas's previous affection, he couldn't bring himself to love or touch Marissa again, not after Web's use and abuse.

  But since Marissa's betrayal, Lucas hadn't fully trusted another female, except for his twin cousins. Both girls hoped Lucas would find someone very special one day.

  "You're late, Randy. I was beginning to worry," Amanda chided her sister. "Where have you been? It's midnight. No lady should be out this late, even with her cousin. Why didn't Luke come in?"

  Miranda prayed she could carry off this act, as she was always so honest. "I'm sorry, Mandy; time took wings tonight. But I don't think you want to know where I was or with whom. Luke isn't the one who brought me home. It's late and I'm tired. Good night."

  When she headed past Amanda for the steps, Amanda seized her arm and shrieked, "Just a minute, Miranda Lawrence! Don't you dare leave this room until you explain yourself."

  Miranda looked indecisive and tense. "You won't like it," she warned before adding, "I had dinner with Luke and ... Reis Harrison. Luke was busy making notes, so Reis saw me home. You said you didn't want to hear his name mentioned, so I wasn't going to tell you."

  Amanda's mouth fell open and she gaped at her sister in disbelief. "Why on earth would you do such a thing?" she demanded.

  Miranda gazed at her innocently. "Have dinner with Luke? Or stay out so late?"

  Her eyes filling with outrage, Amanda shouted, "How dare you be seen with that damn Yankee! And to allow him to escort you home? I told you what Weber said about him."

  "I know what Weber said, and how he feels about Yankees. Frankly, I don't care. As you put it the other day, you'll be marrying Web, not me. I can see whom I please," she stated sullenly to stun Amanda into a confession of some kind. "The war is over for me. I like Reis. So I'll see him again if I wish," she announced saucily. She anxiously waited to see how that news would affect her sister.

  "You can't be serious!" Amanda stormed in dismay. "What about me and my feelings?" she panted.

  "What about your feelings?" Miranda probed nonchalantly, perceiving the fury and tension building within her distraught sister.

  "You know I was seeing Reis! How could you do this?" Amanda inquired sadly. Had Miranda been impressed with Reis from the beginning? Did she think he was free for the taking now? How could her own sister be so traitorous? If Randy and Reis became close, that would put Reis in her life once more! How could she bear to see him with another woman, especially her sister? If Randy knew what Web had done for them, she wouldn't despise him so much.

  "I believe you've told me many times this week that you're going to marry Weber. Surely you can't have serious feelings about Reis, then marry Weber?"

  "I told you how I felt about Reis, and why I had to stop seeing himl You can't bring him into my life again. Please, Randy," she beseeched her sister. "It's just a mean trick to get back at me."

  "For what? Besides, once you marry Weber, you won't be living with me any more. So I won't be forcing Reis's company on you. If you told me the truth about loving Reis, you' would never marry Web. I can't believe my own sister would be so conniving and cruel. Even if you can't marry Reis, there's no reason to marry just anyone! I'm shocked by your behavior, Amanda Lawrence, and hurt."

  "But you'll be living with me and Web," Amanda informed her.

  Before Miranda could stop herself, she shouted, "Never!"

  Amanda stared at her twin. Should she reveal their financial situation? Should she expose Weber's rescue from humiliation and poverty? Without money and with their property lost, Miranda would be forced to live with them. "You're thinking only of yourself, Randy. What about me? Must you be so hateful to Web?"

  "No, Mandy, you're the one being selfish and dishonest. If I didn't love you above everyone else, I wouldn't try to prevent this terrible mistake. I can't pretend I like Weber; I don't. What about Reis, Mandy? How can you hurt him this way? And how will Web act if he learns the truth about your feelings? It's wrong to play with other's lives and emotions."

  "Hurt Reis? If he cared about me, he wouldn't be chasing after my sister! Don't you see, Randy? He's after revenge on Weber."

  Miranda scoffed sarcastically, "According to Weber, you mean. You're hurting Reis by acting this way. I've seen the look in his eyes when he asks about you; it isn't spite or treachery. Why did you lead him on, Mandy? He seems bewildered by your stinging rejection. If revenge is a part of things, it's Weber's revenge on Reis. Web's keeping you and the business from Reis. You spent time with Reis; do you honestly believe he's so evil and cruel? I just can't accept Web's allegations. I can't understand why you won't give Reis a chance to explain. It's absurd to refuse a simple talk which could settle everything. What makes you so positive you can trust Weber implicitly?" she challenged coldly. "You're a fool if you discard Reis Harrisonl"

  "How do you know so much about me and Reis?" Amanda asked.

  "You always said I was uncannily intuitive," she retorted slyly.

  Amanda knew her sister would try to talk her out of her self-sacrifice if she revealed the truth. She couldn't make such a risky confession. Miranda was too taken with Reis; she might disclose the truth to him. This situation was becoming more and more complex. If only her sacrifice didn't include Reis.

  Amanda quietly asked, "Are you going after Reis?"

  Miranda came back with a question of her own, "Are you really going to marry Web?" Each girl studied the expression of the other.

  "Is this some game to make me jealous?" Amanda inquired warily.

  Miranda realized her sister wasn't going to tell her anything vital. To prevent trouble between them, Miranda ceased the ruse. "To put your mind at ease, dear sister, it's nothing more than friendship. If I'm not mistaken, Reis was falling in love with you until you messed it up between you two. Reis is giving Luke some information for a book about the war. You'd be surprised how Reis's version of it differs from Weber's," she hinted casually. "It's a shame you're tied to Weber. Reis is quite a catch. The more I see him, the more I'm convinced you two are perfect for each other. No, Mandy, I'm not romantically interested in Reis," she sighed. "Goodnight, Mrs. Richardson; you should get used to that name. As you wish, I won't mention Reis again. But it pains me to realize how much you've changed lately; you don't even trust me enough to tell me why you're forcing yourself in a despicable marriage. What hold does Web have over you?"

  Appalled, Amanda questioned, "What do you mean, Randy?"

  "I'm not blind or dim-witted, Mandy. I just wish you could talk to me like before. If you haven't given Web your answer yet, please search your heart again. If I were you, I would ask both men lots of questions and very soon. If you can't turn to Reis or Luke for help, then confide in me. We can work out whatever's bothering you."

  "Why do you insist something's wrong? Why would I need help? With what?" She tested to see it Miranda knew about their circumstances.

  "I'll make a pact with you, Mandy. I promise not to say another word and I'll stop worrying about you, if you can look me in the eye and swear things are fine with you. Swear you love and want Weber."

  Amanda paled slightly. "How can things be fine when you badger me all the time? You constantly insult Web, even knowing how close we are. You go out with Reis, then expect me not to be upset." S
he tried to distract her sister with defensive questions.

  Tears formed in Miranda's tawny eyes and her lips quivered. "I never thought the day would come when you would build a wall between us. I want to help, but I don't know how to reach you, Mandy. I wish Mama were here," she murmured dejectedly, then burst into racking sobs and fled to her room.

  Amanda seemed glued to the floor. Anguish and guilt attacked her viciously. She wanted to go after Miranda and explain, but she was too emotional to carry on a conversation. She needed to think and relax. Tomorrow, she would find a way to confide in Miranda, to make her understand.

  Neither girl slept well that night. Miranda made a desperate decision to visit the plantation, leaving Amanda alone to think. When Amanda awakened, Miranda was already packed and gone. Before taking the train to Richmond and hiring a buggy to Morning Star Plantation, Miranda stopped off to see Reis. She told him of her failure to reach Amanda and of her travel plans and asked him to send word to Lucas. When Reis asked about the servants with Amanda, Miranda told him there was only their housekeeper and cook, Alice Reed; tomorrow was her day off, so Amanda would be alone for two nights and a day.

  After putting Miranda on the train, Reis hurried to make preparations for a brazen move ... He had decided it was past time for Amanda to learn some facts about herself, Reis Harrison, and Weber Richardson!

  After Amanda arose and dressed, she headed for Miranda's room, finding it empty. She went downstairs, but Miranda couldn't be found there either. Odd, she thought, since it was only ten o'clock. Amanda worried over her sister's absence until four that afternoon, then panicked when Lucas dropped by to explain Miranda's departure.