Savage Conquest Read Online Free Page B

chilled and narrowed as he
scanned the vaguely familiar taut frame and handsome face near Amanda.
    "Where?" Reis cautiously speculated, implying no
recollection. He wondered why Amanda had insinuated that they had met before, but he went along
with her deception. Apparently she didn't want
Richardson to know he was here on business.
Answers could come later.
    Weber stepped closer, slipping his arm around
Amanda's waist and smiling down into her baffled
expression. As Amanda watched and listened, there it
was again, that brief flash of intimidating coldness
which warned her to keep Weber at arm's length.
"Why don't you invite Harrison inside for a brandy?
Since I'm handling your affairs, he can discuss his
business with me," he stated boldly, wanting to study
this man who caused ripples of warning and fury in
him.
    As if Reis wanted to do the same, he didn't decline
or speak. As both men waited for Amanda's reaction,
she grasped intangible sensations which didn't sit
well with her. With unsuccessfully disguised an noyance, she chided, "You don't handle family or
personal matters, Web, only business ones," trying to
sound playfully casual. She looked up at Reis and
said, "I'm sorry, Reis. I hope you don't think me
rude, but it is late. Web and my cousin Luke were just
about to leave." Somehow she wanted Reis to know
she and Weber weren't alone. How dare Web act as if
she were his property! "My sister and I have family
matters to discuss in private." To Weber, she said,
"I'll see you later. It's been a long and tiring day for
me and Miranda."

    Weber knew he had angered her and was being
dismissed. Before he could contrive an excuse to stay,
Miranda and Lucas joined them. Lucas asked, "Is
there some problem, Mandy?"
    "Web was just leaving," Amanda answered.
Turning to Reis, she said, "This is my cousin, Lucas
Reardon, and my sister, Miranda. Luke, Randy, this
is Reis Harrison, one of Papa's friends. Goodnight,
Web," she added to make her dismissal and vexation
clear.
    Miranda accepted Reis's handshake and smiled
warmly. "It's a pleasure to meet you, sir. Shall I take
your coat?"
    Reis's eyes went from one beauty to the next.
"You're almost twins," he muttered in surprise.
"With different coloring."
    The girls looked at each other and smiled. Miranda
hugged Lucas and said good night, her eyes
motioning for him to usher the despicable Weber out with him. Lucas grinned, only too delighted to
comply. Weber couldn't refuse without acting a fool,
so he left.

    When the door closed behind the two men-one
frowning and one smiling-Amanda invited Reis to
have a brandy. She smiled sheepishly as she told him,
"I'm sorry about that little lie, Mister Harrison.
Sometimes Web is a bit presumptuous. He has a bad
habit of trying to be too helpful," she jested.
    Knowing Weber Richardson was probably lurking
outside to see how long he remained, Reis was sorely
tempted to accept the invitation. He would have, if
Amanda had been alone. But he politely refused the
offer, giving the late hour as his excuse. He slipped
on his rain slicker and said good night, sending
Amanda a smoldering smile which could have
melted an entire snowdrift.
    As he walked away from the house with a fluid and
confident stride, Amanda stood in the open doorway,
oblivious to the cool, damp air, watching him until
the shadows devoured him. She closed the door and
leaned against it, sighing peacefully.
    Miranda giggled and commented, "He's quite a
man."
    Amanda sighed again, eyes dreamy. "Yes, he is,
Randy. We're meeting for lunch tomorrow," she
divulged happily, then revealed who Reis was and
why he had appeared at their door tonight.
    "Aren't you spoken for, Mandy? What about
Web?" Miranda asked softly, observing her sister's interest in Reis.

    "Who?" Amanda teased playfully, winking at
Miranda. "Besides, Reis is only business, my first
client."
    Their gazes fused; they burst into mirthful laughter.
    Reis stood