Forbidden Fire Read Online Free PDF Page B

and she spoke softly, yet with her own form of arrogance.
    â€œMr. Tremayne, no one was more shocked than I that my father should have made such an arrangement. We were very close. Obviously, I have no wish for a guardian. Any more than you, sir, seem to have a wish to be one. With a minimum of effort, I’m sure we can reach an amicable understanding.”
    His brows arched with a certain amusement, then the curl of a smile suddenly faded and he was frowning. “Didn’t we meet before?”
    â€œNo, Mr. Tremayne, we did not. I was not at the manor the day you called.”
    â€œHow do you know I called?”
    â€œI—I assumed you called upon Father some time—he had not left this country for years before his death.”
    â€œAh,” he murmured. Then he was up, striding the small parlor once again. “I shall wish to return to San Francisco as quickly as possible. Is that agreeable with you?”
    She shrugged. “If it’s necessary. Of course, I understand that a young woman could be quite a burden to you. If you wish, I’ve no problems with the idea of your administering the estate from America while I remain in London.”
    He smiled again, slowly, and for a moment, there was a certain tenderness about his gaze that softened the rugged planes of his face and made him appear very handsome. “My dear Miss Ahearn,” he murmured softly, “I did not wish this responsibility, yet I take it very seriously. I would not dream of leaving a young lady of your tender age in such a city unattended.”
    â€œI would not be unattended. I have very good friends.”
    â€œSo I imagine,” he said wryly. Then he paused once again. “Are you sure we have not met?”
    â€œQuite sure,” Marissa said, locking her teeth against the sudden bitterness that filled her. No, he would not remember her. She had simply been the dirtied child in the mud. The maid with her hair pulled back and her face in the shadows. She was safe.
    But a small tremor shook her, and she lowered her lashes quickly. “I can assure you, Mr. Tremayne, that I am a very responsible young woman, independent and able to care for myself. You could leave me with all good conscience.”
    â€œNo,” he said flatly. She raised her eyes to his cobalt blue ones and found them hard and emphatic. She suddenly longed to throw something at him. He brooked no opposition to his will—indeed, he would not even listen to reason!
    But that was all right. They had all agreed that they would move to America if necessary. Jimmy could start up his business in California. They could live very near; it would work out!
    â€œIf you intend to argue with me further, Miss Ahearn, please save us both the time and effort. I had not expected a wayward child, yet if you persist …”
    He was threatening her! she thought. His tone was low and pleasant, but there was definite threat behind it. If she persisted, what? she wondered indignantly.
    Once again her chin rose. She wanted to argue for the sake of argument, just to prove to him that she’d be damned if she was about to follow some Yank’s orders.
    But it probably wasn’t the time for an argument. Discretion, Sir Thomas had assured her, was often the better part of valor.
    â€œI had thought to make this as convenient as possible for both of us,” Marissa said sweetly. “But if that is not your wish …”
    â€œGirl, this hasn’t been convenient from the start,” he said impatiently, then exhaled slowly and apologized. “I’m sorry. I’m sure that this is a shock for you. You have recently lost your father and been informed of a guardian. And of course the terms of his will were quite stringent.” Once again, there was a slight glimmer of compassion and tenderness in his eyes, yet it seemed quickly to be gone. Once again, despite her own predicament, Marissa found herself wondering about the