Passion's Fury Read Online Free Page B

be.”
    His hand still clasped her arm. She picked it off carefully as though it were a loathsome bug. “Say just one more word to me, Graham, and I will throw this champagne in your face. I don’t care how big a scene I make.”
    He struggled to keep smiling though anger was washing through him. “I could have that wild sister of yours any time I want, you know.” He straightened his cravat with trembling hands. “But who wants her when she’s probably frolicked with all your nigra field hands? You’re the one I want, April. And you, I shall have.”
    She lifted her hand quickly, ready to splash the champagne in his face as she had promised, but he fastened tight fingers over her wrists. “Don’t do it,” he hissed ominously.
    Their eyes locked in a gaze of fury, each challenging the other. “I’d rather be dead than lie with you, Graham,” April whispered.
    He released his grip, stepping back. “I think you’ll change your attitude when the day comes for me to inherit Fletcher Manor. When your wells run dry, and your horses and cows die from lack of water— my water…”
    “I pray a Yankee shoots you dead, Graham,” she said quietly. “I pray you are the first Confederate soldier killed in the war.”
    His face reddened. April did not wait for his retort, but moved away quickly. He had asked her father’s permission to court her, but when April expressed disfavor, permission was refused. But Graham was not one to give up. Once rejected, he had resorted to vulgarity whenever he had the opportunity to torment her without being overheard.
    She walked into the mammoth ballroom, taking a fresh glass of champagne from a passing footman and giving him her empty glass. The buffet was laden with giant silver platters of fruit, glazed ham, turkey, iced caviar, and a variety of lavishly decorated cakes and cookies. She nodded her approval to Posie, who stood by in a simple gray dress accented by a large white collar, a big white apron covering her large stomach.
    “Have you seen Vanessa?” she asked.
    Posie shook her head. “I just asked Lucy, and she ain’t seen her, either. Ain’t seen Mandy, though, so I reckon she’s up there helpin’ her get dressed. But I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Miss Vanessa didn’t even come down. Lucy says Mandy told her that Miss Vanessa knowed all along you had a fuss with yo’ poppa over her bein’ included in the party. She heard you two when you was arguin’. Maybe she just decided she didn’t want to come where she wasn’t wanted.”
    April’s eyes widened in stunned surprise. “You mean Vanessa overheard my conversation with Poppa? Oh, no! I’ll go talk to her, make her see—”
    “There you are, my darling.”
    She looked around to see her father approaching with a distinguished-looking man.
    “April, I want you to meet Lester Warrick. He is an aide to President Davis.”
    She held out her hand, and the man bent to kiss her fingertips. “Miss Jennings, this is such a pleasure. I have heard what a beautiful woman you are, and now I see for myself that all I’ve heard is true.”
    “You’re too kind,” she said, forcing herself to sound demure. She was anxious to go to Vanessa. “I know you must find your work with President Davis fascinating.”
    “Oh, quite. He’s a remarkable man. Do you know him?”
    “April hasn’t met him,” her father interjected. “We had hoped he would be able to attend tonight.”
    Lester Warrick looked contrite. “I’m sorry, sir, but the President was invited to so many social functions this weekend that he just decided to stay at home and work on his inauguration address rather than choose which invitations to accept.”
    “I understand. I’m sure April will meet him later. Now if you two will excuse me, I see someone I haven’t spoken with yet.”
    He walked away, leaving April with Mr. Warrick, who began to expound on why Jefferson Davis was an excellent choice for President of the Confederacy. “He was a