"You shouldn't accuse me of such awful things, Mandy. When have I ever flirted with Web or tried to cause trouble between you two? You shouldn't be marrying him if you don't trust him; and if you do trust him, you wouldn't be insinuating I could win him from you."
"How crafty you are, dear sister. I don't hear you denying my charges, only covering your guilt with wily questions. Weber loves me. He wouldn't even look at another woman if she didn't try to wantonly bewitch him. As soon as I'm looking and feeling better, I shall make plans for us to become affianced," she curtly announced.
"I shan't stay in Alexandria after your wedding. I shall go live at Morning Star," Miranda declared soberly.
Weber almost missed part of the devious conversation as visions of having Amanda here in the townhouse and Miranda there on the plantation filled his head. Soon everything would be in his control, and possibly both women. Now he knew why Miranda was so remote and quiet around him; she was resisting her cravings for him! So, the dark beauty with her tightly controlled wildness burned with desire for him ...
"That sounds like an excellent idea. Then I won't have to worry about you chasing and tempting Weber after we're married," she panted.
"Mandy, please don't say such things. I meant I would leave you two alone for privacy. You're being irrational. I am not trying to steal Weber from you. It's probably the illness talking. Perhaps I should ask the doctor to come over again."
"I don't need to see the doctor again. I'm just tired. I'm going upstairs and take his vile drug. I don't want to be disturbed; the medicine makes me sleep for hours. If Weber comes over before I'm awake, you had best remember he's mine," Amanda warned frostily.
"Don't you want some soup first? I'll get it for you. I gave Mrs. Reed some time off this week." Her back to the door, Miranda winked at her sister.
"I'll eat later, if I'm hungry. I can't remember if Web told me he was or wasn't coming over tonight at eight. That medicine is playing havoc with my memory," she mumbled absently. "Wake me at seven so I can dress before he arrives."
"I'll see you to your room, Mandy; you're drowsy now. I promise to wake you if Weber comes over," she told her sister.
"I'm not a baby; I can make it," Amanda responded.
Miranda stood in the doorway, watching her sister ascend the stairs and vanish from sight. She returned to the parlor and sipped a French brandy as though she needed it to calm her nerves. Miranda withdrew a flower from a nearby vase and smelled its sweet fragrance, whispering, "If only you knew the truth, Mandy ..."
From behind her, Weber murmured huskily, "And what is the truth, my beautiful Miranda?"
She whirled and gasped in partially feigned surprise. "Weber? Where did you come from? I didn't hear you knock." Miranda observed the way Weber's dark eyes engulfed her body, especially the bare area on her throat and between her breasts. She tried to calm her anxiety as his respiration increased in speed and volume. If lust could become a tangible object, his would encase her thickly at that moment.
He licked his suddenly dry lips and struggled to conceal her staggering effect on him. His mind was wildly intoxicated by the misconception that she fiercely wanted him as he craved her. "Someone left the door open. You should be more careful, Randy. An intruder could lose his head over a matchless beauty like you."
Miranda flushed a deep red. Weber thought it was from shyness or guilt, but it was from anger. He hadn't even asked about Amanda or her health! While his love lay ill above them, he was trying to beguile her sister! The lecherous rake! Her fury inspired strength and resolve.
"I'm glad to find you home today. I've been wanting to speak to you alone. Isn't it about time we became friends, Randy?" he asked, pulling the flower from her grasp and teasing her bare flesh with it. He watched the astonishment in her eyes as he trailed the flower up her throat and across her lips. "Such pleasures shouldn't belong to a mere flower," he remarked, leaning forward to kiss her.
Miranda tried to twist away, but Weber dropped the flower to embrace her tightly. His lips forced hers apart. When his mouth left hers to wander down her neck, she scolded him, "Weber Richardson! Behave yourself. You're Mandy's beau. She'll be furious if she learns of this."
Weber leaned backward and gazed at her. "You don't care what Mandy thinks. You want me as much as I want you," he boasted. "Perhaps I've asked the wrong twin to marry me. What do you think?"
Not having expected Weber to work so hastily or boldly, Miranda was stunned. Weber pressed her against the wall, molding his enflamed body against her rigid one. As his mouth covered hers, he ground his hips against her. He moved his chest over hers, almost dislodging the kimono from her shoulders. Miranda didn't respond to Weber, but neither did she urgently battle him as she awaited Amanda's interruption.
When Weber's hands drifted to her bosom, Miranda couldn't wait for Amanda to burst in on them. She shoved his brazen hands from her body and tried to push him away. "You stop this, Weber!" she ordered him brusquely. "How dare you insult me!" Miranda didn't want to scream for help, as that would bring about a drastic change in plans. If he were completely alienated, both girls could become dispensable. She prayed her sister would enter soon.
Weber's gaze was dark with combined passion and anger. He was too enflamed to stop now. Af ter he had possessed her fully, Miranda wouldn't say anything to Luke or Amanda. He wasn't about to let her deny him-now or ever again! Amanda had supplied him with the perfect explanation. She was actually jealous of her sister, mistrusted her, had accused her of chasing him. If Miranda revealed what was about to take place, he would have no trouble convincing Amanda she was lying out of jealousy. He could even tell Amanda that her sister had tried to seduce him while she lay ill upstairs. But it shouldn't be necessary to travel that sacrificial path. He could easily blackmail Miranda into compliance, or sen sually enslave her with his magical lips and hands. Once he gave her such exquisite pleasures tonight, she would eagerly be shoving Amanda out of her way; then, he could make Amanda's absence permanent ... Surely gentle Miranda would be easier to master? Surely exotic Miranda would be more enjoyable in bed? Amanda was a proud and stubborn know-it-all; but Miranda was a thirsty, repressed spirit who wanted to break free, to run wild, to taste life.
Weber seized her around the waist and had her pinned beneath him on the sofa before she could think clearly. His mouth was searing hers, preventing any protests. Miranda was terrified. She couldn't control him! Where was Amanda? What about the timely rescue? It wasn't supposed to go this fart Something was wrong! Something was keeping her away! Surely Amanda wouldn't fail her ...
With a burst of strength borne of fear and desperation, Miranda arched upward and flung Weber to the carpeted floor. She bounded off the sofa and scurried behind it. "If you touch me again, Weber Richardson, I'll scream," she warned him icily. "This isn't any way to behave with your future sister-in-laws"
Weber refused to recognize the fury in her voice. He chuckled and teased, "Come on, Randy, don't play around. We both know you want me," he smugly declared, a lewd grin curling his lips into a devilish sneer.
Miranda saw the peril she was in and the evil which filled this man. Suddenly, she was afraid for both herself and her sister. "You're wrong, Weber. I did want to be friends, for Mandy's sake, but not any more. If you truly loved my sister, you wouldn't be trying to seduce me right beneath her nose. If you don't get out and leave me alone, I'll tell Mandy what you tried to do tonight."
Weber crossed his legs and remained sitting on the floor. He laughed mirthfully, intimidatingly, vengefully-the sound chilled her soul. "She wouldn't believe you," he alleged confidently. "Come here, woman."
"No," she refused flatly. "Leave now, and we'll forget this ever happened."
Weber slowly and purposefully got to his feet. He began to stalk her around the sofa, but Miranda eluded him. "Give it up, Randy; you can't get away. From tonight on, you'll belong to me."
Miranda shook her head, chestnut locks flowing about her shoulders. Her tawny ey
es were shaded with rising hatred. Her expression was lined with contempt. Yet Weber saw none of it-he was blinded by lust. He bounded over the sofa and captured her in his arms, her back to his chest. Miranda twisted and fought, but Weber's grip tightened. She stomped his booted foot and elbowed his ribs.
She panted, "Let go of me, you brute!" She jerked her head forward to throw it backward with force into his nose and chin.
Anticipating her impending action, he moved his face aside as her head landed against his shoulder. Before she could lift it, her left ear was imprisoned between his teeth and he gritted out this ominous threat: "Move, and I'll rip it off. No woman teases me like you did. Hold still while I see what you have to offer. You owe me, Randy."
Tears of panic and pain sprung to her eyes as she remained motionless, ready to savagely attack him the instant he released her ear. Before his hands could cover her breasts, the door opened and Amanda walked inside. She came to an abrupt stop and glared at them, shock and fury flooding her features. "I heard Weber's voice, so I dressed to come down. What's going on here?" she demanded.
Weber released Miranda and laughed merrily as he went to her sister. Miranda turned hastily to straighten her clothes and hair. "Randy and I were just having some fun, tussling and playing like two kids. I haven't had so much fun in years. Sorry if we disturbed you, my sweet. We're going to be good friends, a happy family, just like you want. How are you feeling? Randy said the doctor came by, but you weren't doing too well. She said you were napping, so I told her not to bother you," he chatted lightly.
Amanda's frosty eyes went from the grinning Weber to the rigid and silent Miranda who was refusing to turn and look at her. Her skeptical gaze wandered over Miranda's disheveled state and then over Weber's mussed hair and clothes. Her eyes focused briefly on Weber's flushed cheeks and stillcloudy gaze. She noted the misplaced cushions, a rumpled throw rug, and the discarded flower. "Something tells me I should be glad I didn't take that medicine and go to bed," she announced sarcastically. "I asked what's going on in here?" she repeated suspiciously, knocking Weber's hand away from her arm.
"I told you, my sweet, we were teasing around," Weber replied.
"It didn't look or sound that way to me," Amanda refuted hotly.
"Don't be silly. You're just tired and feeling poorly. You go back to bed and I'll come by to see you tomorrow," he cajoled.
"Miranda, what's wrong with you?" Amanda persisted.
"I- Nothing, Mandy. Weber and I were just ... horsing around. Trying to make friends like you asked," she responded, edging noticeable tension and hesitation into her words.
"Dressed like that?" Amanda scoffed.
"Weber came over right after you went upstairs. I'll go change," she murmured contritely.
"Then why didn't you fetch me instead of entertaining him in that cheap attire? As for you, Weber Richardson, you and Randy are too old to be 'teasing' around," she scolded them both in a scathing tone.
"Don't be such a stick-in-the-mud," he retorted in annoyance. How dare she reprimand him like a childl
His reference to mud reminded her of Reis. She eyed Weber intently. He could actually stand here playing the innocent after trying to attack Randy only moments ago! He was worse than she had imagined! "I suppose you two think I'm gullible. I've seen enough passion to recognize its after-effects. Look at you two. Eyes glazed. Mouths red and puffy. Clothes and hair mussed. You both have guilt stamped all over youl How could you do this to me? Especially you, dear sister! Tell me, were you going to make love right here on the floor like rutting animals? Or perhaps sneak up to Randy's room?"
"Amanda!" her sister shrieked in distress. "It isn't like that!"
"She's right, Mandy," Weber injected hastily.
"Be quiet, Weber! How long have you two been scheming behind my back?"
"Don't be ridiculous!" Weber snarled." Randy and I have never been intimate. I suggest you get off that mind-weakening drug!"
Amanda let her tears flow freely. Weber glanced at Miranda and motioned for her to keep silent. "Randy, why don't you leave us alone so I can explain to Amanda," he suggested softly.
"But ... ," she started to protest.
Weber had pushed Amanda to the sofa. He caught Miranda's arm and led her to the door, saying, "I'll get her settled down." He winked at Miranda, then grinned conspiratorially. "I'll see you later," he promised, licking his lips and winking at her.
Miranda looked over his shoulder at the superb actress on the sofa. She nodded and left, eager to learn how Weber would extricate himself. She poured a sherry to calm her distraught nerves, then concealed herself behind the archway into the dining room to make certain Weber left after his devious talk with Amanda.
Miranda didn't have to wait long. Soon, the double doors opened and Weber headed for the front exit. After opening it, he cast a longing glance at the stairway before disappearing outside. Miranda rushed to the door and bolted it. She hurried to the parlor.
Amanda looked up and grinned. "Did you lock up?" she-asked-.-
Miranda nodded and sat down. "Well? What did he say? What took you so long to come down? He was about to rip off my clothes! He's more dangerous than we imagined, Mandy. I was terrified."
"I'm sorry, sis. I didn't think he would pounce on you so fast! I thought you two would talk, get cozy, then he would make his play for you. After I was dressed and came down, I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I had a time controlling my temper! I wanted to tear him apart! But it would spoil things. Our plan's in motion and we know what he's really like. Heavens, Randy, I'm glad you're leaving," she blurted out in panic. "His kind of lust is scary. Are you all right?" she inquired worriedly.
"Fine now, but I was petrified," she confessed then revealed what had been between them. "Maybe we got him too worked up; he was all over me before I could think. What did he tell you?"
Amanda laughed. "He tried to cajole me and prove I was deluding myself. He wanted me to feel remorse for my suspicions. He told me how much my mistrust pained him. He wanted to convince me I was acting out of jealousy. He even scolded me for embarrassing you two. He said I should be ashamed of myself for being so ugly to you. What enormous gall and ego!"
"He just implied you were mistaken? He didn't try to insinuate I had tempted him?" Miranda asked in surprise.
"I have a feeling he'll use that ploy when he sees I didn't fall for his charm and lies. The moment you're gone, he'll fall at my feet and beg forgiveness. He'll blame you for everything. If it weren't so grave, it would be hilarious. You know what truly alarms me? If this weren't a ruse, he could take advantage of both of us," she speculated.
Miranda hugged her sister affectionately. "No, Mandy, you would never believe me capable of such betrayal. But you're right; I can't imagine trying to explain tonight if it truly took place. It's so incredible; he would have ravished me right here!"
"Make sure you avoid him until you leave," she warned.
"What about you, Mandy? Luke and I will be gone in less than two days. And Reis won't be back until the end of next week. I'm afraid for you. Weber's so strong and persistent when he's aroused. What if he tries to ... seduce you?" Miranda fretted anxiously.
"I can handle Web's passions. It's you I'm worried about. He finds you more desirable than we realized. He might go after you and Luke. He could hurt Luke to force you to come home! I feel so duped. It's you he wants, not me. He only settled for me because he couldn't get to you. I could kill himl"
"Don't say such things, Mandy. It isn't me or you he wants; it's all we own. He just wants to enjoy us while he's stealing everything we have. I'm not sure if he's crazy or just greedy and desperate. Maybe I should stay here and help you stop him."
"No, you must go with Luke. We'd both be in peril if you remained here. If Weber believes he could have you and put me out of the way . . ." She faltered at that staggering reality and shuddered. She prayed Reis would return soon. This drama wasn't so simple; it was petrifying. She instantly berated her cowar
dice, reminding herself she was smart enough to outwit and foil Weber.
"Then I'll persuade him I despise him before I leave. He'll be convinced you're his only hope for success," Miranda vowed with fierce determination. "I know!" she shrieked in elation. "I'll catch the train tomorrow above Alexandria. Luke can leave from here Friday, then join me in Baltimore. That's where we take the train to St. Louis. You can tell everyone I left for Charleston for the summer. That should throw him off our path. Even if he searches for me, he'll come up empty-handed, except for you."
"That should work," Amanda concurred. "If he goes after you, that will supply me with another excuse to rebuff him. He won't risk hurting me until he's positive he can have you. I'll ask Mrs. Reed to stay over the weekend. Then, next week, I just won't open the door unless she's here to protect me."
"Perfect. When Reis gets back, you drop this game. If you can't announce your marriage, then go to his home like he suggested. Or go visit friends where you'll be safe. You can always tell Weber that I exposed his attempted assault. Or, better still, that I confessed to his forcing me to carry on a secret affair. I was so humiliated by your discovery of our torrid rendezvous that I ran away," she jested. "That should give him plenty to fret over! I can see it now; ailing Amanda trying to decide who's honest and what's the truth."
They joined in nervous laughter. "I think I'll wait to see how he reacts to your absence. He might just ignore tonight. Naturally I won't let him. I shall play the offended, betrayed maiden," she stated in a thick Southern drawl. "I shall waver back and forth, tormented by doubts, harassed by suspicions."
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