This Fierce Splendor by Iris Johansen Read Free Book Online

Awkward.”
    She brightened. “Well, he can’t stay there all the time. I’ll see him somewhere else.”
    “What good would that do? He said he wouldn’t talk to you or see you.”
    “He may choose not to talk to me at first, but he will do so eventually.” She smiled with considerably more confidence than she felt. “And there’s no question that he’ll see me. I’ll make certain of it. Thank you for your kindness to me, Mr. Delaney.”
    “Patrick,” he corrected her solemnly. “Formality is out of place when a gentleman has recently stuck up a lady’s stagecoach.”
    She nodded. “And you must call me Elspeth. Will I see you tomorrow also, Patrick?”
    He hesitated before slowly shaking his head. “I have to leave before daybreak for the ranch.” He stood up, his expression troubled. “I may come back next Saturday night, but I imagine you’ll have left Hell’s Bluff by that time.” He hoped so. He didn’t like the way this situation was developing. Dominic’s temper was very finely balanced these days. He wouldn’t allow himself to be pushed far before he turned and savaged any aggressor, and it was clear the little owl was planning on being very aggressive indeed. “If you change your mind, I could arrange for a seat for you on the coach tomorrow morning.”
    “I’ll be here when you return next Saturday,” she said firmly. “Thank you, again, Patrick.”
    “My pleasure.” He bowed. He had done all he could do. He only hoped Dominic wouldn’t be too rough on her. “Until Saturday.”
    She kept a smile pasted on until he had left the parlor. It vanished the moment she could no longer see the back of his fiery hair. She closed her eyes and drew a long, quivering breath. Her knees were shaking and the palms of her hands were moist and cold. This interview had been more difficult than she had imagined it could be. Independence would become easier for her in time, she assured herself desperately. It wasn’t simple to break the habits of a lifetime, and she’d had the bad luck to pit herself against a man like Dominic Delaney in her first real attempt. She had found herself breathlessly nervous and unsurefrom the moment he’d walked into the room. Even before he’d bluntly refused to consider her offer, she had detected an antagonism in him that had heightened her physical responses to a near painful level of sensitivity. Why had he been antagonistic? She had felt his gaze moving over her face as though trying to see beneath the flesh. What on earth had he been looking for?
    A weakness perhaps. She didn’t fool herself that there was anything about her appearance he might find attractive. Her father had been very careful to let her know that men would never look at her with anything but indifference. No, Dominic Delaney had been searching for holes in her armor in order that he might more easily rid himself of her unwelcome presence.
    “Are you quite well, Mademoiselle MacGregor?”
    She swiftly opened her eyes. Andre Marzonoff stood in the doorway. He had changed into a beautifully tailored coat in a shade of pearl gray; it was even less flattering to his girth than the biscuit-colored one he had worn previously.
    However, his concern was obviously sincere and she forced herself to smile. “I’m just tired. I think I’ll go to my room and rest.”
    “Perhaps you should have something to eat. I would be honored if you would join me at dinner.”
    “I’m not hungry.” Her stomach was fluttering and the very thought of food made her a little ill. Yet he seemed so disappointed, she added, “We could have breakfast together if you’re not engaged.”
    His face lit up and he shook his head emphatically. “I would be delighted. I know no one in Hell’s Bluff.”
    “Then why are you here?” she asked curiously.
    “It is a most exciting place. In Tucson they told me it was the toughest boomtown in Arizona. I thought I would meet many interesting people here.” His tone became