Savage Deception (Liberty's Ladies) Read Online Free PDF Page B

dressing down, followed by a friendly pat on the back. I know you think Tanner is worth his weight in gold. I wonder sometimes if you regret not legally claiming your bastard so he can own and run Briarhaven one day. Certainly you’ve never had any confidence that I could do the job.”
    “That isn’t true, Kingsley.” But it was, and Harlan knew Kingsley didn’t believe him. “You’re my heir.”
    “Then stop giving preferential treatment to Tanner. I’m your legitimate son, not that squaw’s bastard.”
    “But Tanner is an efficient overseer. I don’t want him harmed physically and I don’t want him run off.” Harlan sat in the chair behind his large, satinwood desk. He suddenly felt very tired arguing with Kingsley, who was not one to let an issue die.
    Leaning forward, the palms of both hands bracing the edge of the desk, Kingsley impaled his father with a look of pure disdain. “In that case, I believe that Diana and I shall have to reside in Charlestown. You can keep Briarhaven and your beloved Tanner. I won’t live where I am not master in my own home.”
    “You don’t mean that, son.”
    “I do. Try stopping me from punishing Tanner and see if I don’t mean to leave. You may not care that your bastard son, an overseer who is little better than a slave, pawed your future daughter-in-law. But I warrant that our guests might not look so kindly upon the situation. Some of them have young, pretty daughters and wives,” Kingsley reminded Harlan, “and there’s nothing a man hates more than to have one of his women fondled by a half-breed. Many of the men recall the difficult times some years ago when the Cherokees rose up and butchered some of the people around here.” Kingsley smirked, seeing the troubled frown on his father’s face. “And some men might not be too forgiving of Tanner for touching Diana. After all, he is part Cherokee and they might enjoy taking some of their vengeance out on him.”
    “You’d actually like your brother to hang, wouldn’t you?”
    Kingsley shrugged. “Tanner means more to you than he does to me. Now, Father, what is it to be?”
    Harlan was defeated and he knew it. He’d wanted to protect Tanner in the best way he could. From the day the boy was born he’d looked after him and Naomi. He’d provided them with shelter and food, training Tanner for the job of overseer. He’d even had the boy tutored with Kingsley, much to Celeste’s chagrin. The boy had never disappointed him, though Harlan guessed he had disappointed the boy many times. But Tanner had never asked him for anything. Now, however, Tanner was a grown man and he wanted Kingsley’s fiancée. Diana was something Tanner could never have, and he should be able to see that. Yet lust had very little to do with the eyes, as Harlan well knew.
    Truly, he didn’t want Tanner harmed by the hatred of the neighbors, a hatred he knew Kingsley could incite to his advantage. That would only result in Tanner’s death. There was but one alternative.
    “Get that ugly smirk off of your face,” Harlan demanded. “I give you my permission to punish Tanner, but I warn you that if Tanner is maimed or killed, I shall find a way to make your life a hell.”
    “My life is already a hell because of Tanner.” Kingsley went to the door, clutching the whip in his hand. “After tonight, I can start living.”
    Harlan involuntarily jumped when Kingsley slammed the door. He felt like a coward, but he’d had to choose between his two sons. For the first time since his dear Celeste’s death, he laid his head upon his desk and cried.
    ~ ~ ~
     
    For the rest of Tanner’s life he’d remember the shriek of the whip hissing through the air. As he lay on his stomach on the tiny cot in his room, and the hot summer breeze wafted over him, he thought he had died and gone to hell. His flesh burned and stung, bringing tears to his eyes. But he hadn’t cried and wouldn’t do so now, though he knew Kingsley had wanted him to cry