Nightfall by Anne Stuart Read Free Book Online Page B

imagination get in the way of your appetite."
    "Sorry, Sean," she said, forcing herself to tuck into Bridget's food with a semblance of relish. "You haven't been much of a role model when it comes to self-control, and I figure there's already enough vanity in this family."
    Richard laughed. Cass lifted her gaze, not recognizing the sound, but there was no mistaking the dark amusement in his eyes. "Your shy daughter's got a wicked tongue on her, Sean," he observed.
    "She's inherited some of my gifts, at least," Sean said proudly. "Even if there are times when she's hopelessly middle-class. I live in dread of the day she'll decide to get married and have the requisite two point three children. Don't expect me to baby-sit, Cassie, love. I'd probably murder 'em.
    The silence that fell was absolute. Cassie put her fork down, telling herself she wouldn't throw up the bacon and eggs she'd just forced herself to eat.
    She also had no intention of meeting Tiernan's ironic gaze. There was a limit to her self-discipline, after all. Instead she glanced at her unrepentant father.
    Sean simply shrugged. "I've been tactless, haven't I? I can't spend my time watching what I say," he added. "Richard's used to me. I don't offend you, do I, my boy?"
    Cass couldn't picture anyone less like a boy. She forced herself to look at him, but his face was cool, reserved, unfeeling. "You don't offend me, Sean. Though I expect you'll keep trying."
    Sean lit another of the thick, unfiltered cigarettes he'd given up years ago. "You know me well."
    Cassie pushed the tray away. "When did you start smoking again?"
    "Life's too short for self-denial," he announced.
    "If you keep smoking those things, it's bound to get a lot shorter."
    Sean rolled his eyes. "You see what I have to put up with? Next thing I know, she'll be grabbing the drink out of me very hands and singing temperance songs. I'll make a deal with you, Cassie love. You keep your opinion of my little indulgences to yourself, and I won't make any more remarks about your healthy girlish figure."
    He'd done it on purpose. Cass had known her father all her life, she should have been used to it by now. He'd done it to embarrass her, to make Richard Tiernan cast those far too observant eyes over her body and decide just how healthy it was.
    She didn't blush, a wonder, given her pale skin and rising temper. She didn't pull the oversize cotton sweater around her, or cross her arms over her chest, or do anything more significant than glower.
    "It's a bargain," she growled.
    Sean's smile was beatific. "That's settled then. I'm off. You and Richard can start to work without me."
    He was halfway out the door before Cass let out a muffled shriek of rage and panic. "Just where do you think you're going?" she demanded.
    "Another doctor's appointment, love," he murmured, and Cass knew it was a bald-faced lie. "The two of you will have plenty to do, organizing all the papers."
    "But…"
    "Ask him what really happened that night," Sean called over his shoulder, his cigarette smoke trailing behind him. "And take notes. I want to see if he can keep his story straight."
    It took every ounce of Cass's pride to force her to meet Richard Tiernan's cool gaze. "He's impossible," she said.
    Tiernan rose, moving across the room. She'd forgotten how tall he was, and what a lethal sort of grace infused his body. He walked to the door, and closed it. Closing them in.
    He leaned against it, and there was an ironic expression on his face as he watched her.
    "Are you going to take notes?" he asked softly.
    She stared at him, bemused, distracted for a moment. "Why?" she asked inanely.
    "Because I'm willing to talk."
    She wasn't ready for this. She was suddenly very cold, in that elegant, book-lined office that still smelled of bacon and Sean's cigarettes.
    She pushed the tray away, hoping he wouldn't notice that her hands were trembling. "All right," she said. She schooled her nervousness, glancing up at him. "Are you going to tell