Linda Castle Read Online Free PDF Page A

on tenterhooks, waiting for her to speak. His dark eyes were trained on her face with single-minded intent. His long fingers were splayed out on the scarred tabletop. “You are challenging me?”
    “Yes, that is if you are up to the task,” Connie replied smoothly. It was difficult to continue staring at Temple now that he was mere inches from her, but she did so without blinking until he at last glanced away.
    “What task did you have in mind, Miss Cadwallender?” His voice was brittle with suspicion and his pet name for her had conspicuously vanished.
    “The challenge I am issuing you is this, Mr. Parish. In addition to the endowment Mr. Montague is offering, I am proffering you a personal challenge as well. There will be no money involved, so you may not be interested…”
    One brow shot upward when her intentional barb hit its mark. “What kind of a challenge, Miss Cadwallender?”
    She leaned forward. Constance had never been very good at public speaking, but she cleared her voice and took a deep breath. She wanted to make very sure that every man who was lined up at the bar heard her clearly. “This challenge would affect only your pride—your ego, Mr. Parish.”
    “Speak your mind, Miss Cadwallender.” His brown eyes narrowed down to predatory slits and there was open hostility in his voice.
    “I not only intend to find a previously unknown species of dinosaur for Mr. Montague, I intend to do it on my own and long before you can even locate one.” She spoke loudly.
    The impact of her words settled on the interested occupants of the room and drew a deep murmur from the men who were bent in speculative conversation.
    “You’re mad,” Temple said in a whisper only she was meant to hear.
    “Perhaps, but the challenge stands. Are you declining—admitting you are not up to the task?”
    “What?” Temple snorted.
    “Are you admitting I am the better digger?”
    Temple stood up so quickly the chair legs screeched on the floor. He glared down at her. “You’re female.”
    “How very astute of you to notice, Mr. Parish.” Constance forced herself to remain sitting and watch Temple even though it made her neck cramp to do so. A collection of emotions raced across his face and through his eyes while they held each other’s gaze.
    “It would be ridiculous for me to compete with a—a—woman. I would be a laughingstock.”
    “I fail to see why, but if you would rather admit that I—a Cadwallender and a female—am more competent and capable…” She shrugged then placed her palm on the table as if she were rising from her chair.
    A wide rough hand closed over her own and stilled her movement. Constance tilted her head and looked up.
    Temple sucked in a breath that seemed to be too much air for one man to hold in his lungs, then suddenlyit left him in a great angry rush. “I will never admit to that!” he bellowed.
    “Then I assume you are accepting my challenge?” Constance glanced at the mirror, but now every man was turned, watching. She experienced a measure of satisfaction when she saw every pair of expectant eyes was trained on Temple’s face.
    “Miss Cadwallender!” Temple nearly vibrated with indignation. “I would much prefer you exercised some sense, remembered where you belong and returned home.”
    “I am not leaving until” I find those bones,” she said calmly.
    His face turned three shades of red. “Then it appears I have no choice but to accept your challenge. I would be most happy to prove who is the better— digger.” His voice was a tightly controlled rumble.
    “Good.” Constance nodded stiffly at him. Then she scooted her chair backward. It took some effort for her to pull her hand from beneath his, but finally she was able to stand up. “Now if you will excuse me, I shall see you tomorrow morning at sunrise.”
    When she turned on her heel she heard a soft hiss as Temple drew another furious breath between his tightly clamped teeth. All the way to the staircase she