Free To Love a Scoundrel by Sharon Ihle Page B

eyes. "Now, you know that I cannot leave Harrison Enterprises unattended for that long. You'll just have to make do without me."
    "But, Jack," she cried as she climbed in bed beside him, "surely you can find someone on your staff to care for the business. I need you."
    "Darling, Jack Harrison is the business. Enough of this talk. You're going to make me feel that I'm unworthy of you, that I'm not as successful as your husband."
    "Oh, Jack, never say anything like that. Edward may make more money, but you're much more of a man than he could ever be." Carlotta rubbed an appreciative fingertip over Harry's perfectly groomed mustache and sighed. "I just love your skinny little mustache, Jack. It's so European."
    "Really?" Harry slowly ran his tongue along his upper lip. "Is there anything else you love about me?"
    Carlotta laughed from deep in her throat and ran her fingers through the graying hairs at his temples. "I absolutely adore the little rhymes you're always making up. Tell me another, Jack darling."
    "I don't know if I can think of one tonight. Why don't you give it a try? You might have some... hidden talents you're unaware of."
    Then, using his diminutive pinkies which would have been considered stunted by anyone's standards, Harry lifted the sheet and beckoned Carlotta to slide under it.
    "Oh, Jack," she crooned, lifting an eyebrow. "You're such a naughty one."
    "My dear," he said with an indecent grin. "I'm much more than naughty. I'm downright dangerous."
    With a lusty chuckle, Carlotta snuggled up beside him and began to recite the rhyme she'd settled on. "Jack be nimble, but not too quick. Jack has a great big—"
    The rest of her poem was lost as Harry pulled her across his chest and crushed her mouth to his.
    * * *
    Back in Chicago one week later Jewel stuck her head inside Allan's office. "Hi, boss. Do I need to throw a white flag out, or am I welcome back here yet?''
    "Good Lord, girl," he grumbled good-naturedly. "Get on in here. Of course you're welcome."
    "I wasn't sure after that fiasco in Kansas," she said as she glided into the office and took her usual chair across from Allan's desk. "I apologize again for letting the James gang get away."
    "Forget it. You didn't do any worse than the rest of us have from time to time—including me. How's the arm?"
    Jewel shrugged. "All right, I guess. The doctor took the cast off this morning. The arm feels kind of strange, as if it doesn't really belong to me, but I'm fit for duty, if that's what you mean."
    "No, you're not," he countered, spearing her with an ice blue stare. "I've had my share of broken bones, and I happen to know removing the cast is just one step toward complete recovery. You've got a long way to go before you'll be able to defend yourself properly."
    "But, Allan, I can't just—"
    "No arguments, Jewel. I know what I'm talking about, and I cannot allow you to jeopardize your life or the life of any operative who may be working with you."
    "I know." She sighed, absently rubbing her wounded arm through the peach organdy sleeve of her blouse. "But I feel so ready, so impatient to get back to work. Isn't there something I can do besides sit around the office and read reports?"
    "I think so," Allan said with a smug grin. "I may have stumbled across a little something you should be able to handle without too much trouble." He tossed a handbill across his desk and invited her to pick it up. "You can read up on the steamship later. For now just let me tell you what's come to my attention while you were having fun in Philadelphia."
    Jewel glanced at the paper announcing the maiden voyage of the Delta Dawn, then stuck it in her reticule. She had something to settle with her employer, something that couldn't wait. "I want you to know that I appreciate the paid vacation and that I did have a lot of fun at the exhibition. But before you tell me about the new assignment, I'd like to clear the air about another little problem."
    "Of course, Jewel. What is