Free River Of Fire by Mary Jo Putney Page B

there, and a hint of flinty integrity, yet none of those qualities fully defined his essence.
    Instead of being gratified by the captain's presence, Sir Anthony growled, "Where have you been?"
    "Interviewing wine merchants," Wilding said mildly. "You may recall that we discussed yesterday how your present supplier is inadequate. I believe I've found a better one."
    "So I suppose you've been sampling and are now three sheets to the wind," Sir Anthony said sarcastically.
    "Naturally I tasted some wine, but I'm certainly not drunk," the captain said, refusing to be baited. "I'm sorry if my absence was a problem. I didn't know you would need me here."
    Furiously Sir Anthony picked up a bladder of white lead paint and flung it at his secretary. "You should have been here when I wanted you!"
    "What the devil?" Wilding swiftly sidestepped the missile. The bladder hit the door with a soggy sound and splashed white paint in an arc across the oak panels.
    All vestiges of control gone, Sir Anthony began hurling other objects around the room. The white lead was followed by bladders of Naples yellow and Prussian blue paint. A handful of his special long-handled brushes separated in midair and flew in all directions before clattering to the floor. With a sweep of his arm, he knocked everything from the table beside him before flinging his palette knife wildly. It whizzed by Rebecca, just missing her shoulder before bouncing off the wall.
    Shaking inside, she prepared to take shelter behind the sofa. Then Captain Wilding bounded across the room and caught Sir Anthony's wrist in one powerful hand. "You may destroy your whole studio if you wish," he said in a dangerously soft voice, "but don't throw things at a lady."
    Her father tried to wrench free. "That's not a lady, that's my daughter!"
    The captain's fingers locked harder around her father's wrist. "All the more reason to control yourself."
    For a moment the men were silhouetted motionless against the windows. The slighter figure of Sir Anthony crackled with furious emotion, but he was helpless against the captain's implacable strength. Rebecca had a swift mental image of lightning fruitlessly striking a mountain.
    Her father's left arm jerked, and for a sickening moment she thought he was going to strike the captain. Then, in one of his swift mood changes, Sir Anthony's arm dropped.
    "You're right, damn you." He glanced at Rebecca. "I've never once hit you, have I?"
    She unclenched her fists. "Only with splashing paint," she said, trying to sound light. "Your aim is terrible."
    The captain released her father, but his face was set and his gray eyes looked like flint. "You make a habit of such tantrums, Sir Anthony?"
    "Not precisely a habit, but they're not unknown." Her father rubbed his right wrist where the captain and held it. "These furnishings have been chosen because they clean easily and are forgiving of minor stains."
    "Very amusing," Wilding said dryly. "Nonetheless, you owe your daughter an apology."
    Sir Anthony's face tightened at the implied rebuke from an employee. "Rebecca doesn't take my moods seriously."
    "No? Then why does she look as pale as if she's just risen from a sickbed?"
    Both men's heads swung toward her. She froze, knowing that her distress was visible to anyone who looked closely.
    With his artist's perception, her father saw her state clearly. "It bothers you so much when I get angry, Rebecca?" he said with surprise.
    She almost lied to ease his conscience, but she couldn't, not with Captain Wilding's probing gaze on her. "Your explosions always upset me," she admitted uncomfortably. "When I was little, they made me fear that the world was about to end."
    Her father drew a sharp breath. "I'm sorry, Rebecca. I didn't know. Your mother—" He stopped speaking abruptly.
    Her mother had never minded the explosions; she was capable of being equally explosive. It was Rebecca who had run and hid under the bed when her parents roared, singly or at each other.
    She