Free Violet Fire by Brenda Joyce Page B

little boy, and perversely, Grace was peeved.
    â€œIt’s okay, Geoffrey,” Grace said, reaching out tosmooth his hair. “He wasn’t hurting me. We were—having a disagreement.”
    â€œTruly?”
    â€œTruly,” Rathe supplied. “Now, let’s see those C ’s.”
    Reassured, Geoff handed the slate to Rathe. “Perfect,” Rathe announced.
    Geoff looked hopefully at Grace.
    â€œYes, they are perfect. Geoff,” Grace said, “I want you to practice these letters tonight in secret. Okay?”
    â€œYes’m.”
    â€œNow, I have to get back, so why don’t you run on ahead. You can keep the slate, but don’t show it to anyone.”
    After Geoffrey had gone, Grace turned a serious regard on Rathe, who was grinning. Before she could speak, he reached for her. “Can’t wait for us to be alone?”
    She dodged his eager hands.
    â€œWhat are you going to do with—with the information you found out today?”
    Rathe’s expression grew bright with comprehension and his grin widened. “Ah. I don’t know.”
    â€œPlease,” Grace managed, hating having to beg. “I need this job. She doesn’t know—about New York.”
    â€œI see.”
    â€œNo, I doubt that you do. I’m asking you nicely to stay out of this.”
    Rathe’s eyes sparkled. “What do I get in return for my silence?”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” she asked cautiously.
    â€œWhat do you think?” he said recklessly.
    She was breathless, blushing.
    He was breathless, throbbing. “The price of my silence is a kiss.”
    She bit off a gasp of outrage. “You, sir, are impossible!” she cried, and turned away furiously.
    â€œBut irresistible,” he said softly, close behind her, too close.
    â€œNot to me!”
    â€œWhen do I get my kiss?”
    â€œCertainly not now,” she said, moving away and facing him. “Not ever! You are despicable. If you were truly a gentleman you would keep your silence without a price.”
    â€œThen you must be right. I’m a scoundrel, a rake, and a—what was it? A perverted philistine?”
    He was making fun of her again. She lifted her chin. “I must get back.”
    â€œWhen do I get my kiss?” he persisted.
    Her bosom heaved. He had no scruples. She had no doubt he would reveal her secret if she denied him. It was a risk she could not take. “Tonight.”

Chapter 6
    The thought of seducing her had crossed his mind, once or twice. But it wouldn’t be right, and he knew it, because he knew that if he seriously set out to seduce her, he would succeed. She would have no defense against his well-practiced, superior tactics. That knowledge definitely raised some guilt. If he were smart, he would ride out of Natchez now, this instant, instead of lurking by the barn waiting for their rendezvous. And their kiss.
    Did she really think him such a cad that he’d tattle on her to Louisa Barclay? That upset him. Apparently, she really did think the worst of him—and she didn’t even know him. He tried to remember someone in his past, especially a woman, who had not liked him. He couldn’t think of a single one—up until now. Grace really didn’t like him.
    Well, one kiss did not make a seduction. And one kiss would not hurt either of them. And one kiss was certainly the least he deserved…
    But would she show up? He waited impatiently. Somehow he figured she was scared enough about him keeping her secret, that she would. She had agreed to meet him behind the third barn at ten o’clock. He heard footsteps and turned.
    Even if he hadn’t been expecting her, he would have recognized her in the dim glow of the moonlight from the stiff, squared set of her shoulders. He smiled at the familiar sight. She stopped a few yards from him, and he couldjust make out her expression—tensed and grim. He wondered what he