Savage Conquest

by Janelle Taylor

  "Why would our marriage force her to leave home? We wouldn't live here. That's silly, Mrs. Reed. Where's the note? Show it to me, or I'll have to get Mandy out of bed to question her."

  Alice eyed him curiously, then boldly asked, "Why are you so mad about Miss Randy moving? She's a grown woman with no boss."

  From her tone, Weber realized he was acting too possessive. "I thought the note might give a clue as to why she left mysteriously. If so, I can find her for Mandy. I can try to get her to come home so we can help her if she's in some kind of trouble."

  Alice's heart thudded with uncertainty. Suddenly she was afraid for Miranda; why, she didn't know. "I told you all the note said. Miss Mandy read it to me, then crumpled it and burned it in the kitchen stove. If you rush upstairs and prod her with questions, she'll be more upset. You know she isn't well. She didn't know Miss Randy wasn't coming home. And she doesn't know why Miss Randy left."

  Weber couldn't force answers from an ailing Amanda without arousing suspicion. He smiled at Alice and turned on his charm. "Randy's a special lady. She loves Mandy; I'm sure she'll come home."

  "I don't think so, Mr. Richardson. She took most all her clothes and belongings. That's why Miss Mandy knows she's gone for good."

  "What did Lucas have to say this morning?" he probed warily. "Did he help Randy run away? Didn't he know this would hurt Mandy? Surely he didn't leave without revealing Randy's location?"

  "He didn't come over this morning. He said good by yesterday. When I found the note, I asked Miss Mandy to let me go fetch him, but she said no. Miss Mandy knows how much this trip means to him, so she kept mum. She didn't want him running off to Charleston. Now Mr. Luke is gone and that poor child is alone. It isn't right for them to leave her when she's bedridden and still suffering about her parents. Now don't you go adding to her troubles today. You let that child sleep and get stronger."

  "I won't disturb her this morning. You tell Mandy I came by to see her. If she needs anything, you send for me, understand?" he told her sternly.

  "I'll take care of her. When she wakes, I'll give her your message," she agreed reluctantly, watching him hurry out the door.

  Outside the gate, Weber motioned for his furtive cohort to join him, unaware of the piercing blue eyes which were observing him through the translucent material of the lacy drapes. Amanda couldn't hear their words, but she could see Weber's fury. From where she stood, it appeared Weber was calling off the spy and giving him new orders. Why not? Everyone was gone but her.

  Weber was indeed issuing new orders. He had wanted to make sure Lucas didn't get off the train outside town and sneak back to Amanda's, and he had wisely put a man on Lucas's tail early this morning. When the man reported to him later, he would know all Lucas had done before leaving town. He would hire a man to pursue Miranda, and bring her to his home as quickly and secretively as possible. He was determined Miranda wouldn't escape him. Weber was positive Miranda hadn't confided in her sister or cousin, and he concluded she was merely running from her emotions. Just to be on the safe side, he wouldn't deal with Amanda until her sister was locked in a room at his home ...

  In Baltimore Friday afternoon, Miranda was bewildered when a telegram was delivered to her hotel room under the phony name only she and Lucas knew: Marie Starr. She nervously read its contents which stated, "Not to worry. Have brief tail. Use Cin ticket. Meet in Louis. Coming via Chicago. No contact home."

  Miranda comprehended the message between the lines. Obviously Weber was having Lucas followed which wasn't unexpected. As prearranged, she would take one train through Cincinnati to St. Louis and wait there. Lucas would take a decoy train to Chicago, then travel down to meet her when he lost his shadow. From St. Louis, they would journey to Omaha on the Missouri River where a steamboat would be the next step in their trip. If Amanda were in danger, Lucas would have come directly to her here. Both knew it was folly to send word home from her secret location. She wondered if Weber or his men were seeking her in Charleston. She wasn't afraid to travel alone; she would have a private compartment all the way. Still, she couldn't help but wonder what was taking place at home. She could hardly wait for Lucas to join her and to relate the news. She was glad that Lucas had a friend in Charleston who was going to mail letters from there to Amanda.

  While Weber awaited his men's reports, he continued with his plot to take control of the twin's properties and to locate Miranda. He sent flowers and notes to Amanda, who shredded the papers and tossed out the flowers. When Alice questioned Amanda's curious actions, she told the woman she was annoyed with Weber and herself for inspiring her sister's departure. She went so far as to hint that Weber might have driven Miranda away and that she might reconsider her relationship with him. She pretended to get stronger and better each day.

  Weber canceled the ordered accident for Thomas Reed, as it would be unnecessary until he had Miranda under his roof. When Weber hadn't called on Amanda by Monday, she fretted at his inexplicable absence. Since Miranda was lost to him, shouldn't he be wooing her again? The notes and flowers were nothing but wily deceptions. Tuesday, a message arrived telling Amanda he had left on a business trip and would see her when he returned Thursday. Amanda prayed he was heading south, not west.

  The weekend had passed without trouble but now odd things were happening. Weber had left town. On Tuesday a telegram arrived from Lucas, from St. Louis. Thomas Reed broke his leg in an accident on Wednesday, and Alice had to stay home with him for a while. A letter arrived from Miranda on Thursday, posted in Charleston. No message, coded or otherwise, came from Reis.

  For two nights, Amanda slept restlessly, worrying about Weber's strange actions and praying for Reis's safety. But at least she knew Lucas and Miranda were safe. She had destroyed Miranda's lengthy letter but kept the false one to use on Weber when and if he ever came around. She also kept Lucas's telegram lying on the parlor table. She wished Reis would write or return. She needed to know he was all right. She needed to see him, to touch him, to love him.

  Friday afternoon, Amanda paid the Reeds a brief visit. Upon returning home, she found Weber waiting for her on the porch. As she approached him, he stared at her oddly.

  "I thought you were too ill to be up and around," he stated sullenly. "I come home to find you traipsing all over town. Would you mind explaining yourself, Miss Lawrence?"

  Amanda stiffened with outrage and resentment, then reminded herself to proceed with caution. "I beg your pardon, Mr. Richardson," she retorted in a similar tone of peevishness. "How would you know my state of health, seeing as you haven't called since last Friday-a week past? How long does it require for one to get well? To get jittery lying abed or confined to one's home? And since when must I explain myself to you or anyone? But to answer your insulting and nosy question, I went to visit the Reeds. I take it you're unaware of his terrible accident?"

  "What accident?" he queried in confusion, wondering if his man had misinterpreted his order. He had seen Amanda Lawrence in many moods, but never one laced with such anger and rudeness.

  Amanda briefly informed him of Thomas Reed's situation. "If that's all, sir, good day to you," she added snippily, unlocking her door. At that moment, she was too mad to be afraid of him.

  "That isn't all, Mandy," he hastily informed her, seizing her arm and turning her around. "I came over to check on you as soon as I returned. Why are you being so hateful? Have you heard from Miranda?" he inquired, trying to sound casual.

  He didn't fool Amanda in the least. Apparently he hadn't found a trace of Miranda and was seeking clues from her. "As you can see, I'm doing fine now. As to my behavior, I give as I receive. It would have been more pleasant if you had merely sent another note or bouquet of flowers. As you can also see, I'm not in the proper mood for company, thanks to you."

  "I'm not company, Mandy," he playfully corrected her. "What inspired this disagreeable mood? Surely I can help change it?" he offered, his tone a mellow and husky sound.

  "I doubt anyone possesses suc
h magic, Weber. You can't change what ails me. Everything seems to be going awry these days," she murmured sadly.

  "Things can't be that bad, my sweet. Tell me what has you so down, and maybe I can help," he coaxed beguilingly.

  Amanda studied him for a moment, then said, "Perhaps we should have a serious talk, Weber. I'll prepare some refreshments."

  She entered the house and walked into the parlor. She tossed her cape on one end of the sofa, then invited him to be seated while she made the tea. Unless he sat on her cape, he would have to sit nearest the table which held the telegram and letter. Although a book was partially concealing them, Amanda felt certain Weber would notice and read them.

  Weber dropped to the sofa and sighed heavily in fatigue and annoyance. As he plotted his strategy, his gaze touched on the edge of a telegram. He moved the book aside to read the signature and found the letter beneath it. He went to the door and glanced down the hallway. He could hear Amanda moving around in the kitchen. He returned to the table and snatched up the two papers, reading them swiftly and closely. He promptly replaced them and went to stand before the front window.

  He mentally went over his dilemma. His men hadn't been able to find a single track leading to Miranda, yet she wasdefinitely hiding in Charleston. He would send word to them to search harder; she must be located with all haste. His aggravation with both females was increasing, and his lust for Miranda was rapidly turning to a desire for vengeance. She would pay for leading him this merry chasel He was beginning to think she was playing him for a fool, that she was only trying to cause a split between him and Amanda. On the other hand, perhaps she was afraid of him.

  The riddle lay in Miranda's silence about the episodes between them. She hadn't mentioned either battle to Amanda. She had offered no explanation or excuses in her note or letter. She had begged Amanda to forgive her for running away and encouraged her not to worry about her. She had written she was safe and happy, staying with friends. Yet she refused to give her current address and she repeated her vow never to return to Alexandria. Was she afraid Amanda would pass the address on to him? Did she suspect he would come after her? Whatever Miranda's motives, she didn't seem to want Amanda to know about them. The question was why.

  But there was a perilous hitch to this matter-what if Miranda decided to reveal the truth.in a future letter? How long should he hold out for Miranda without jeopardizing his chances with Amanda? If he was forced to settle for Amanda, it wouldn't matter what Miranda exposed after their marriage. If Miranda didn't feel guilty, she wouldn't be holding her tongue.

  He recalled Lucas's telegram; his foe was leaving St. Louis for Omaha. The telegram had asked Amanda to forward Miranda's new address when she was settled for the summer, implying Lucas was alone and uninformed. His man had followed Lucas to Baltimore where Lucas had taken another train west. His man had reported nothing suspicious. From the telegram Web knew Lucas would take a boat into the Dakota Territory. At last, Lucas Reardon was out of his hair, far away.

  A wary man, Weber was not often taken off guard. Tonight, Amanda surprised him when she returned to the room. He seemed to be engulfed in pensive thought, lost in some dreamy world of dark schemes. Before he came back to reality, she risked a glance at the table to find that he had taken her bait. She suppressed a smile as she placed the tray on an oblong table behind one of the matching sofas in the center of the room.

  Weber actually jumped and balled his fist when she offered, "Tea, Weber?" She couldn't contain her laughter at his guilty reaction. "You're awfully jumpy," she teased mockingly.

  Weber's cold glare was quickly replaced with a merry grin. "I was just about asleep on my feet. I didn't realize I was so exhausted. Maybe that tea will enliven me."

  "Perhaps you should go home and rest. We can talk another time," she stated flippantly as if it didn't matter if they ever talked.

  "I've been worried about you, Mandy. You're looking marvelous, but you sound dejected. Surely Miranda's contacted you by now?"

  "What are you talking about, Weber? Miranda's away on a holiday. She's having too much fun. to write," she jested, acting as if nothing were wrong.

  "You don't fool me, Mandy. Mrs. Reed told me what happened last week with Miranda. I know you're worried about her." He strolled forward to accept the cup of hot tea then casually took a seat.

  Amanda gaped at him. "Just what did Mrs. Reed tell you?" she asked angrily.

  Weber told her of their conversation. "I see," Amanda muttered frostily when he finished his confession. "In the future, you will kindly refrain from discussing me and my sister with the hired help. I'm sorry she was the one to find Miranda's note, since she obviously can't be trusted. When Mrs. Reed returns to work-if I allow her to do so-she will be severely reprimanded for such disloyalty. Why Miranda left home is no one's business except hers and mine."

  "Why did she leave, Mandy?" he questioned brazenly.

  "I was hoping you could answer that question for me," she stated sarcastically, fusing her challenging gaze to his guarded one.

  "I'm just as shocked and confused as you are, perhaps more so. Why would you think she might confide in me?"

  "What happened between you and Randy last week while I was ill? Since that night I found you two 'horsing around' in this very room, she's acted strangely. Then, she came home from the bank the next day in a mood I can't even explain, much less understand. She packed and left home that same afternoon. Oh, she tried to convince me this trip had been planned for quite some time, but I knew she was lying. You know how, Weber? Because she lies badly. Just like she lied that night I caught you two in here. Then I found a note saying she'd moved and wouldn't tell me where! What is going on between you two? Something happened to make her leave. And you're involvedl"

  "Listen to yourself, Mandy. You sure you're off that medicine? Just what are you trying to suggest?" he demanded glacially.

  "My head has never been clearer, Web. You know how close Randy and I have been since birth. But of ter you came around, things never were the same. It isn't my imagination! Both of you have been acting strange for weeks now. Were you two having a fight in here, or what?"

  "Are you blaming me for her departure?" he snarled. "What could I possibly say or do to make her disappear?"

  "Tell me what happened in here that night. Then tell me what happened the day she left town. You did see her while she was out?" she inquired, sounding as if it were a statement more than a leading question.

  "I don't believe what I'm seeing and hearing. If I'm right, you're accusing me and Randy of having an affair behind your back. Is that what you think, Mandy?" he probed, placing the cup on a table.

  Amanda jumped up from her chair and paced the room. Pretending to search her heart and mind for an honest answer, she deliberated her next move. She could not go too far too soon.

  Weber used her confusion and hesitation to further her doubts. "I swear to you, Mandy, I've never made love to your sister. How can you hurt me with such charges?"

  Amanda ceased her aimless wanderings and looked at him. "Can you also swear you haven't wanted to? Can you also swear you. haven't tried to get her into your bed? Can you swear you have never held her in your arms, never kissed her? Swear those things, Weber; prove I have no reason to doubt your love and fidelity. Prove you have nothing to do with Randy's actions."

  "You actually expect me to respond to such accusations!" he thundered at her, infuriated by her astute perceptions and the fact that she would dare to interrogate him. "I do believe your fever seared your brain, Amanda Lawrence! It's bad enough you charge me with such vile conduct, but to vilify your own sister like this..." He cunningly left the statement unfinished. "By damn, woman, what's gotten into you? I think you'd best call that doctor over to check your head. I'm not going to sit here and defend myself against such crude and foolish insinuations. Why would I court you if I wanted Miranda? Do you realize how crazy that sounds?"

  "You're awfully tense and defensive, Weber. It's really r
ather simple to end this matter; just tell me the truth."

  Weber rushed to her and grabbed her, shaking her as he shouted, "Damnation, Mandyl That's why she left) You've been badgering her with such trash, haven't you? No wonder she ran offI You've been accusing her of these same things. Did you call her filthy names and accuse her of such lewd behavior? Mandy, Mandy, what have you done? Randy and I are innocent. You've deluded yourself about some secret love affair between us. You drove her away with your cruel accusations and wild jealousy," he informed her angrily.

  Amanda jerked free and glared at him. "All I want to know is who's at fault, you or she or both of you. Damn you, Weber Richardson) I'm not a blind fool. I saw the way you two acted that night. If nothing happened, then why did she leave?"

  "I wish to hell I knewl" he rashly stormed at her.

  To his consternation, she stated softly and firmly, "I think you and I should end this, Weber. Things haven't been right between us for some time. I've been trying to ignore it, even deny it, but I can't. A marriage between us wouldn't work."

  For the first time, Weber panicked. Miranda might be lost to him, and now he was losing Amanda and all she represented. He couldn't permit that. He would deal with Miranda when she was found. Right now, he would have to persuade Amanda she was his one and only love. "I love you, Mandy; I want to marry you. Now or whenever you say."

  Amanda shook her head. "You love what I have to offer, Weber, not me. I doubt you ever loved me or ever will. If Randy were here and willing, you would take her in my place. Why pretend?"