A Passion Redeemed Read Online Free Page B

apparently not." He looked up, his eyes shooting her a warning. "Don't get any ideas. That woman gives me cold chills."
    Bridie pulled her hand away and leaned back against the booth, a smile hovering on her lips. "So I noticed." She grinned. "I haven't seen you that off-guard since Faith took a potshot at you on her first day of work."
    The memory brought a faint smile to Mitch's lips. "Yeah, she was something." He saw Sally heading their way with a tray piled high with food and drinks.
    Bridie shook out her napkin. "Yes, she was. And so is her sister, evidently."

    Sally plopped two steaming plates of crubeens on the table with a thud. The smell of spicy pork caused his juices to flow. When Sally finished unloading plate after plate, she stood back and grinned, hands propped on her ample hips. "Hope you're hungry. Ready to dive in?"
    Bridie smiled at Sally and picked up her fork. She winked at Mitch. "You know, Sally, I think he just might be."

    "You've been awfully quiet all night, at least since we left Duffy's. Honestly, Charity, I'm a bit dismayed. I thought you would be feeling quite victorious. You had him eating out of your hand, you know."
    Charity continued to stare out the window of Rigan's Rolls Royce as they pulled up in front of her grandmother's house. Moonlight flooded the garden, casting distorted shadows of fuchsia and larkspur across the cobblestone walk.
    He turned the ignition off and shifted to face her. "Charity, look at me."
    She glanced over, one hand hovering on the door handle. "What is it, Rigan?"
    He scrutinized her, head cocked as if trying to decipher the mystery of her mood. "What's wrong?"
    She expelled a weighty sigh and leaned back, eyes fixed straight ahead. "I don't know."
    "You got your wish. You turned his head. You should be happy."
    "I know," she muttered, her tone quiet. Ishould be. But what if he still blames me ...
    "Charity, you effectively reduced the man to moronic monosyllables and clenched teeth."
    Mischief twitched on her lips. She had caught Mitch by surprise. His clear, blue eyes had stared in bold appraisal, taking her in from head to foot without even being aware. At six foot four, he towered over her, a mountain of a man with unruly blond hair and a petulant gaze, adept at turning heads as well as she. She grinned, peering at Rigan out of the corner of her eye. "I did, didn't I?"

    Rigan's smile matched her own. We did, my dear. You and yours truly-your partner in crime."
    She giggled and twirled a lock of hair around her finger. "It was glorious, wasn't it? And yes, Rigan, I couldn't have done it without you." Her finger suddenly stilled, causing the curl to spring free and spiral to her shoulder. She tilted her head to study him through narrowed eyes. "Why does he dislike you?"
    Rigan laughed and reached for her hand, warming it between his fingers. "I could ask you the same thing."
    Her rib cage suddenly felt too tight. A sick feeling settled in her stomach. She tugged her hand free and hefted her chin a notch. "He doesn't dislike me."
    "Oh, he dislikes you, all right. It was as clear as his stony stare and the humorous tic in his jaw. A thin, cold thread of disgust tightly twined with a scarlet strand of lust. What did you do, Charity? Why does he hate you?"
    Fear constricted her throat. He doesn't hate me-he wanted me! She sat up, her eyes burning with heat. "I think this conversation has come to an end. Thank you for a wonderful evening. Now, if you'll walk me to the door. . ."
    She fumbled with the door latch, finally swinging it open. He reached across and slammed it closed. The heat of his breath was hot on her face. "No, this conversation is not over. Tell me, Charity. Why does a beautiful woman like you need the assistance of a rogue like me to snare another man's heart?"
    Her pulse pounded in her throat. She didn't answer.
    He jerked her close. "All right. I'll tell you. I think somehow, someway, you're the reason he's no longer engaged to your sister. Lies,