A Dangerous Love Read Online Free PDF

the theory of consolidated labor interests.”
    The younger Montgomery had to face Ariella with Cliff now. “Good God, and what will be next? The Ten Hours Bill? Labor will certainly argue for that!” He gave Ariella a dark look that she had received many times. It said, Ladies’ opinions are not welcome.
    Ariella planted her hands on her hip, but she smiled sweetly. “It was a social and political travesty to allow the Ten Hours Bill to be trampled under industrial and trade interests. It is immoral! No woman or child should have to work more than ten hours a day!”
    Paul Montgomery raised both pale brows, then turned aside dismissively. “As I was saying,” he said to Cliff, “the business interests in this country will go under if unions are encouraged and allowed. No one will be foolish enough to so limit the hours of labor or to support consolidated labor.”
    â€œI disagree. It is only a matter of time before a more humane labor law is enacted,” Cliff said calmly.
    â€œThis country will go under,” the younger Montgomery warned, flushing. “We cannot afford higher wages and better work conditions!”
    Amanda smiled and said, “On that note, perhaps we should all go in to dine? We can continue the fervent debate over supper.”
    A debate over supper, Ariella thought with excitement. She would hardly mind!
    But then she caught her sister’s eye. Dianna looked at her with an obvious plea. Why are you doing this? She mouthed, You promised.
    â€œI am too much of a gentleman to debate a lady,” the young Montgomery said stiffly, but he looked terribly put out.
    His older brother chuckled, and so did Cliff. “Let’s go in, as my wife has suggested.”
    Suddenly a terrific round of shouting could be heard, coming from the front hall of the house, as if a mob had invaded Rose Hill.
    â€œWhat is that?” Cliff exclaimed, already leaving the salon. “Wait here,” he ordered them all.
    Ariella didn’t even think about it—she followed him.
    The front door was open. Rose Hill’s butler was flushed, facing a good dozen men who seemed to wish to throng inside. When Cliff was seen, shouts began. “Captain de Warenne! Sir, we must have a word!”
    â€œWhat is going on, Peterson?” Cliff demanded of the butler. “For God’s sake, it’s the mayor! Let him in.”
    Peterson rushed to open the door and the four foremost gentlemen rushed in. “Sir, Mayor Oswald, Mr. Hawks, Mr. Leeds, and your tenant, Squire Jones. We must speak with you. I am afraid there are Gypsies on the road.”
    Ariella started. Gypsies? She hadn’t seen a Gypsy caravan since she was a small girl. Maybe her time at Rose Hill would not be so uneventful after all. She knew nothing about the Gypsy people except for folklore. She vaguely recalled hearing their exotic music as a child and being intrigued by it.
    â€œNot on the road, Captain. They are making camp on Rose Hill land—just down the hill from your house,” the rotund mayor cried.
    Everyone began to speak at once. Cliff held up both hands. “One at a time. Mayor Oswald, you have my undivided attention.”
    Oswald nodded, jowls shaking. “Must be fifty of them! They appeared this morning. We were hoping they wouldn’t stop, but they have done just that, sir. And they are on your land.”
    â€œIf one of my cows is stolen, just one, I’ll hang the Gypsy thief myself,” Squire Jones shouted.
    The others started talking at once. Ariella flinched, as they began describing children vanishing, horses being stolen and traded back to the owners so disguised as to be recognizable, and dogs running wild. “No trinket in your home—or mine—will be safe,” a man from outside the house cried.
    â€œThe young women were begging in the streets this afternoon!” a man said. “It is a disgrace.”
    â€œMy sons are