This Fierce Splendor by Iris Johansen Read Free Book Online Page B

hurriedly and walked quickly toward the single window across the room. What was the matter with her? What did she care how hebehaved toward the Hell’s Bluff version of hetaeras? She pushed aside the rose-colored calico curtains and stared out the window. There was little to see. The window faced the back street, and any view of the grandeur of the mountains she might have had was marred by the white post supporting the balcony and the flight of stairs leading down to the hard-baked dirt of the street. The only attractive thing within sight was a huge stately oak tree at the end of the street. It looked old, very old, and had an air of reassuring permanence in this town that seemed appallingly new.
    She let the curtain swing back into place and turned away. The view didn’t matter. She’d probably be in this room very little in the next few days. As soon as she was rested and had recovered from her encounter with Dominic Delaney, she would have to concentrate all her time and energy on convincing him he must give her what she asked. Dear heaven, how was she to do it? How did you persuade a man to do something he didn’t want to do when he’d sworn he wouldn’t even talk to you? Well, she would think of something. But it didn’t have to be right this moment.
    She was so very weary. She would curl up on that uninviting bed and try to nap for an hour or so. She would forget Dominic Delaney. Instead, she would think of the exciting search to come. And, perhaps, she would dream of Kantalan.

3

    P atrick stepped squarely into a pile of manure. He gave a low exclamation that both identified the substance and expressed his ire at discovering it. He then proceeded with a derogatory tally of Charlie Bonwit’s ancestors. It was damn dark here in the yard of the livery stable. He had told Charlie he would be leaving early this morning, and the least the blacksmith could have done was leave a lantern burning outside the barn. He extracted his foot from the pile and stepped carefully around it, trying to wipe the sole of his boot clean on the hard-packed dirt of the stable yard. Christ, he must look like a horse, himself, pawing in the dirt.
    “Patrick?”
    He whirled to face the deeper shadows of the smithy’s lean-to on his left and automatically reached for his gun. Then he relaxed as thought caught up with instinct. No threat. His name had been spoken in a soft, uncertain voice shaded with a strong burr. Elspeth MacGregor. His hand fell away from the handle of his gun as he tried to steady the hard pounding of his heart. “You scared the bejiggers out of me. What the devil are you doing here?”
    “I’ve been waiting for you.” Elspeth moved forward out of the lean-to. “I think I’ve been here for hours. I didn’t want to miss you. I had no idea what time you meant by ‘before daybreak’ and I—” She stopped and tried to get her breath. She mustn’t sound nervous. Itwas just that it had been so
dark
waiting here alone. “I know it’s a great imposition, but I have a favor to ask you that would have been most awkward for me to ask anyone else.”
    “You shouldn’t be out here alone,” Patrick said sharply. “Wait here. Charlie usually leaves a lantern hanging on the post just inside the barn. I’ll go get it.” It took him only a few minutes to locate the lantern, light it, and come back to the stable yard. Elspeth was standing where he had left her, her face pale above her black gown. One small, delicate hand was nervously clutching her reticule.
    She was frightened, Patrick realized. Frightened and trying desperately not to show it. His annoyance ebbed. “You shouldn’t be here,” he repeated more gently. “Let me walk you back to the hotel.”
    She shook her head. “I’ve made a decision. I believe the reason your uncle dismissed me so lightly was that he didn’t realize how serious I am. I have to find a way of making a statement of my determination and let him know I won’t be ignored.” She