When Sparks Fly by Sabrina Jeffries Read Free Book Online

didn’t say it was inadequate!” Her expression showed sheer exasperation. “Goodness, you are so prickly. ‘You would rouse to anger a heart of stone,’ as Sophocles says.”
    He blinked. “You’re quoting Sophocles ? What sort of heiress are you?”
    â€œI happen to read a lot,” she said defensively. “Poetry mostly. Which you would have found out for yourself if you’d conversed with us at dinner instead of blustering and shouting.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “That is exactly why people gossip about you. Has it occurred to you that they might call you the Black Baron because of your black temper?”
    If she only knew. “Thank you for the commentary on my character, Miss Bancroft. Now, if you’ll excuse me—”
    â€œI’m not finished,” she said blithely. “As I was saying, we’re very grateful for your taking us in under difficult circumstances.” She paused meaningfully.
    â€œBut?”
    â€œBut it does not give you permission to alarm the children.”
    He hated it when she was right. “I wasn’t trying to alarm them,” he said testily. “I was trying to make sure they don’t go near my barn, something you might consider helping me with.”
    â€œFor goodness’ sake, what’s so important about your precious barn?”
    â€œIt’s full of explosives.”
    â€œExplosives!” Her eyes widened. “Why on earth would you keep explosives in your barn?”
    â€œI’ve been developing a fuse to make them safer for the mine. It requires experimentation with black powder and sulfur and the like, all of which are highly dangerous.”
    â€œBut why here ? Why not do it there?”
    â€œBecause too many people have access to things at the mine. There’s too much chance for a visitor or a stranger to get hurt.” As Rupert had. “I can keep a better eye on things here. My servants know they risk their positions if they go anywhere near that barn or let anyone else near it.” He scowled at her. “But your cousins may be a problem, given how unpredictable boys are.”
    That seemed to dampen her fire a bit. “If you would just explain to them about the explosives—”
    He snorted. “Right. Tell a lot of curious lads that there’s a barn full of exciting chemicals next door. That would be like setting a match to the powder. Didn’t you see how your cousin’s eyes lit up when he asked if I kept rifles in there? Don’t you know anything about boys that age?”
    â€œNo, I don’t!” Her tone held desperation. “I’m not used to taking care of them!”
    She had a point. According to Huggett, their nurse had been clever enough to escape corralling the rambunctious cubs during the holiday. He could hardly expect their rich cousin to step into her shoes with any degree of competency.
    â€œThen here’s a little lesson for you,” he said. “Boys of that age enjoy blowing things up. I certainly did. It’s how I got interested in explosives in the first place. And if your rascal cousins find out I’ve got something as fascinating as black powder in my barn, it’ll be impossible to keep them out.”
    She sniffed. “Well, now that you’ve roused their curiosity, they’re sure to attempt it anyway. Keeping them in the dark is as bad as telling them the truth.”
    â€œThen give them a lie, blast it! Tell them whatever you like—I don’t care. Just keep them away from that barn!”
    â€œI’ll do my best,” she said with a weary shake of her head, “but I can’t make any promises. They have minds of their own sometimes.”
    â€œFine. But if they follow their minds into my barn, I will tan their hides.”
    â€œYou will not!” she protested. “You have no right!”
    â€œThat won’t stop me.”
    She planted