Seducing the Ruthless Rogue Read Online Free Page B

Mack, Mack, Mack,” Di repeated over and over.
    The men turned their heads when they heard a sniff at the door.   Gabe shot to his feet and crossed the room.   “What’s wrong sweetheart?   Are you all right?   The babe?”
    “Stop worrying, we’re both fine.   It’s the two of you.   I remember not so very long ago when you hated one another and now look at you.   Oh, it is just the babe making me weepy,” she sniffed and allowed Gabe to pull her into his arms.
    Mack found himself watching the couple enviously before turning his attention back to his niece.   A tall, buxom blonde with sapphire eyes entered his mind.   He shook his head trying to clear it.   Why was he thinking of Miss Graham?   She was more pain in his side than she was anything.   Turning his attention back to his niece, he pushed thoughts of war and beautiful blondes out of his mind.
    ***
    “Did you see Director McKenzie, Missy Cassie?” Chang asked when Cassie stepped through the front door.
    “Indeed I did, Chang.”
    “He no turn you away?”
    “Not this time.”
    “You get answers?”
    “Not like I had hoped, but I am getting closer.”
    “I knew you could, Missy Cassie.   Your papa always say you special girl.   Determined.”
    “That I am, Chang.   I am determined to have Papa back with us, and Director McKenzie will not stand in my way.   Did I tell you he is no longer the director?”
    “No.   What happen?”
    “I have not fully gotten that information out of him, but I will.   He is a man with many secrets, Chang.”
    “That man dangerous, Missy Cassie.   You be doubly careful.”
    “Oh, I will, Chang.”
    “To be sure, today we practice first, then you write.”
    “But I have a deadline for the newspaper.”
    “Deadline can wait.   Practice first, write later.”
    “Yes, Chang.”   Cassie practically skipped down the hallway so that she could change into her sparring outfit.   Once she was ready, she met Chang in the garden, where they began sparring.
    “You no concentrate!” Chang charged after he flipped her the third time.   “No good.   You must focus.   Forget about writing.   Forget about director.   Focus.”
    “Yes, Chang.”   They sparred until Chang was satisfied with her performance, which took longer than usual.   Cassie kept on the loose tunic, pants, and slippers that she wore for sparring and made her way to the desk she used for writing.   She used the large oak desk that would normally be designated for the man of the house.   She loved the sturdiness of it and the oversized chair that sat behind it.   Cassie easily tucked her legs up into the leather seat, took out her notes from today’s gathering and began working on her column.
    Two hours and three rewrites later, she was satisfied with her work.   She carefully sanded and blotted the article before folding it and placing it in an addressed envelope.   She dropped wax on the flap and used the plain stamp to seal it.   Cassie stood, her legs somewhat numb after having been tucked underneath her for so long.   She stretched, working the kinks out of her stiff muscles.   Cassie walked to the front hall and took her cloak, despite the warmth of the day.   She wrapped it about her to hide her clothes underneath.  
    “Chang, I’ll be back shortly.”
    “Be careful, Missy Cassie.”
    “I will.”   She left the house and walked to the corner, waving down a familiar looking young boy.
    “Good evening, Alfred.”
    “H’lo, miss.   Another delivery?”
    “Yes, please.”   Cassie passed the envelope and some money to the young boy.  
    “I’ll ‘ave it there in a jif, Miss Cassie.”
    “Thank you, Alfred.   Tell your mother hello.”
    “Will do.”   The boy tipped his hat and took off like a shot.  
    Cassie watched him run down two blocks before he turned a corner and disappeared from sight.   She waved a friendly greeting to some of the people she knew as she turned towards home.   The sun began