Free Defiant Rose by Colleen Quinn Page B

inches from hers, his lashes black against his skin— Good God, why was she thinking that now? For a heated moment she thought he was going to kiss her, but he physically pushed himself away from the tub and stepped back a few paces. His hands on his hips, as if forcing himself not to touch her, he glared at her as if she’d done something else to anger him.
    “You will travel with me when we leave. I want to know everything. Schedules, work load, expenses, duties. I want to know the performers, their names, their personalities, who they like, and what they hate. I want to know about the animals, the acts, the programs, and the towns you have scheduled. In short, I want you to teach me everything about this damned circus. And so help me, if you try any tricks—”
    “I won’t.”
    “Good.” His eyes traveled down her once more with something akin to pain in them. He tossed her the nightdress, smiling in that smug way as she scrambled up out of the water to fetch it. He had a brief glimpse of her slender body before she snatched the gown on, outraged at his high-handed manner.
    “Good night, Miss Carney. I’ll expect you within a few hours?” He grinned, some of the anger leaving his eyes. “I believe you like to get an early start.”
    Michael chuckled as he made his way back to his tent. Lord, but it felt good to get the upper hand once more, and he was determined not to lose it again.
    The look on her face when he’d entered her tent was almost worth it all. Obviously, Rosemary Carney was quite used to getting her own way. He had already noticed the unquestioning loyalty she commanded from the men, the way they rushed to do her bidding as if intimidated by this little slip of a girl. Sean Carney must have put the fear of God into them, for otherwise, he couldn’t see how she, a mere woman, could have accomplished this.
    Blood surged hotter in his veins as he pictured her in the tent. Candlelight had bathed her in a golden glow, making her remarkable hair take on a brilliance he hadn’t noticed before. Her complexion, normally doused with greasepaint, was incredibly soft and creamy, unmarred by the makeup she wore. But it was her body that took him by surprise and oddly reassured him. Lithe and seductive, she had breasts that, although small, appeared enticingly firm, and legs that could drive any man to distraction. He hadn’t been deceived that first time he’d met her, when she’d struggled up against him. She’d merely hidden her attributes beneath that ridiculous clown suit, like a knight in silk armor.
    His frown deepened as another thought occurred to him. Surely some of the men had known her in the biblical sense. She was too casual around them, too carefree, completely unlike the fragile, aristocratic women of his upbringing. The Philadelphia ladies would surely dissolve into vapors if he walked boldly into their toilette, but Rosemary seemed delightfully embarrassed, and, if he read her expression correctly, a little too accepting of the situation. Yes, she was no virgin, he was certain of that.
    His frown grew thunderous, and he mentally cataloged the men he’d met. He hadn’t noticed her favoring any one of them over the others, but it would be a simple matter to discover if she had a current lover. He wasn’t sure why it made a difference, but for some reason it did. Flinging himself on his cot, he fought to catch a rare hour of sleep.
    Tomorrow would come far too soon, and when it did, he planned to continue Rosemary Carney’s education. Tonight had been lesson number one.

CHAPTER SIX
     
    “A YE, IS IT C ARNEY, NOW? ” The storekeeper wiped his fingers on his apron, then extended his hand toward Rosemary and proceeded to pump the life from her wrist. “Good to see you, lass! I didn’t need the clown suit to recognize you! I remember when you were just a tiny little thing, coming in here with your pa. You’ve been coming here every year since. I’ve watched you grow up.” He beamed