Jaded Moon (Ransomed Jewels Book 2) by Laura Landon Read Free Book Online

it.”
    “As you see it?” Josie gritted her teeth. “Then you are either blind or your mind is so warped it’s left with no option but to create answers as you wish to see them.”
    “I don’t think there’s anything warped about being concerned for children who have no one else to protect them. Especially from someone like you.”
    “Like me? Just what nefarious plan do you assume I have in mind for any child unfortunate enough to be left alone in the world?”
    “Perhaps sell them to anyone willing to pay a price.”
    The air rushed from her lungs and her hands balled into fists at her sides. “What did you say?”
    “Don’t tell me there aren’t plenty of tenant farmers searching for cheap labor. What better place to supply that labor force than an orphanage.”
    Josie battled a wave of fury unlike anything she’d ever experienced.
    “What is the going price for a child, Miss Foley?”
    “You think I sell the children? You think I take money…”
    “I think it takes a sizable amount to run an orphanage. The money has to come from somewhere. How better than to—“
    Before Josie could think better of her action, she reached out her hand and slapped him hard across the face. His reaction was equally as swift.
    In a movement so fast she didn’t see coming, he clamped his fingers around her wrists and pinned her hands against the tree on either side of her face. The bark bit into her flesh, but she barely felt it. The look in his eyes caused her more concern than a little pain. She kept her gaze focused on his anger, but refused to let him think she was afraid of him.
    “I would advise you to never do that again,” he whispered in a voice so deadly soft it sent shivers down her spine.
    “As I would advise you to have a care with your accusations.”
    The next few seconds stretched headlong into eternity while she stood still as stone. If she could have found the courage to risk his wrath, she would have turned her head to the side in defiance. But she couldn’t move. In that one second she realized what a formidable force he presented. And she knew without a doubt that if she backed down now, he would destroy her. As well as the children.
    She clenched her hands into tighter fists and locked her gaze with his. “Release me,” she said, her voice sounding remarkably steady considering how violently every part of her seemed to tremble.
    He held her a fraction longer, then loosened his fingers from around her wrists and pulled away. Josie dropped her hands to her sides. But he didn’t step away from her.
    “I won’t give up, Miss Foley. If you refuse to help me locate Mrs. Gardner’s child, I’ll simply have to find another way.”
    “And I’ll simply have to do everything in my power to keep you from succeeding.”
    There was enough space between them now for Josie to escape his overpowering presence, but she didn’t move. Pride wouldn’t let her run away from him. She’d had to stand up to insurmountable odds her whole life. From the moment she’d been left alone in the world. This was no different. No matter how hard he glared at her; no matter how much he tried to intimidate her, she refused to buckle beneath his domineering ways. No one would ever have that control over her again. Never again.
    “Don’t involve yourself in what doesn’t concern you, Lord Rainforth,” she said, unsettled by the silver gleam in his gray eyes.
    “Is that a warning, Miss Foley?”
    “Yes. Stay away. From here. From the orphanage.”
    “From you?” he asked huskily.
    She swallowed. “Yes. From me.”
    His sensual gaze moved along the length of her body. “And if I don’t?”
    She stepped back into the shadows where he couldn’t see the hot blush on her face. “You’ve been warned.”
    He arched a brow and opened his mouth to reply but she didn’t give him a chance. She turned around and walked away before he could utter a retort.
    Josie expected to hear his footsteps crashing behind her. Dreaded