Free Renegade by Caroline Lee Page A

Freely. “I would be thrilled, McKee. You’ve become a fine man, fit to court Rebecca Beckett or any other young lady.”
    He couldn’t help it; he laughed then. Loud, and scornful, and her expression didn’t change at all. She just sat there with a faintly knowing grin on her face, like she was proud of him for doing what she wanted. What she expected. He hated feeling manipulated.
    “You’re wrong.” Maybe his words were harsher than he’d intended, but he wanted her to see, to understand. “Young ladies have no interest in me.” Not entirely true, he had to admit to himself, remembering a few memorable evenings. “And I have less interest in them.” Also, not true. He’d thought of Becks a lot since Nassau. “I value my freedom too much to ever court a woman, Eugenia. Remember that. Marriage is not for me.”
    She regarded him over the lip of her teacup and then nodded slightly, once. She opened her mouth, but Mac never got to hear what she had to say, because at that moment the door to the foyer opened a crack, and she peeked in.
    “Mother, I’m sorry…for…” She trailed off when her eyes met his, and Mac had to stop himself from bowing slightly, and when exactly had he stood up? Apparently his mother’s manners hadn’t been beaten out of him.
    Becks had pushed her way into the room, but now rocked to a stop a few paces in. He wondered who she’d been expecting… it certainly hadn’t been him. The confusion in her eyes proved that. Those fascinating blue orbs bored into his, and he wondered what she thought, seeing him again.
    “Rebecca Beckett,” Eugenia sounded faintly amused. “You remember Mr. McKee Baird, I’m sure?”
    And then she surprised him. “No. Should I?”
    He couldn’t help it; he smiled at her bright falseness. She blinked, and he watched the way awareness crept into her gaze. Oh, she remembered him all right. His grin grew, just to see how she would react and was gratified at flush that rose on her cheeks.
    Here, in the parlor, in the bright afternoon sun, she looked differently than she had in the twilight and shadows. More formal, less adventurous. She was wearing a dress made from pale green cotton, with a half inch of Carrickmacross   lace at her cuffs. That little detail made her seem more of a lady than he’d imagined. He’d bet that she was wearing a corset this time, too.
    Almost against his will, his gaze slid down her body, searching for her feet. She shifted slightly—uncomfortable under his gaze?—and he saw shoes peeking out from under her skirt. No, this young lady was most certainly the proper Miss Middleton and not the free-spirited Becks he’d meet almost all those weeks ago.
    She cleared her throat. “I apologize, Mr. Baird. That was rude of me.”
    “Call me Mac.”
    She glanced at her mother, but Mac refused to be distracted. No, Rebecca Beckett Middleton might be off-limits to him, but that didn’t mean he had to quit looking at her. He liked the way his gaze made her blush. Was she remembering the way he’d kissed her? And that kiss had barely scratched the surface of the pleasure he could show her.
    Eugenia spoke up, now, breaking the silence with her usual efficiency. “How is Thomas’s girl?”
    Becks’ smile was tired, but pleased. “Much better. Her fever broke, at least.”
    “Was it the influenza?” Of course she’d be concerned.
    “I don’t think so, but it’s hard to say. The younger ones are supposed to stay away from Seelay for a few days. I told Thomas and Gretel to rest themselves.”
    He could see Eugenia gathering the teacups onto the tray from the corner of her eye. “Of course. Thomas’ stables will manage well enough without him for a few days. He’s done a fine job training young Levi.”
    Mac wondered if they were deliberately ignoring him. So he uncrossed his arms, the movement drawing Becks’ attention. Her gaze flew to his face, and then she flushed and looked away. “Again, I’m sorry, Mr.