Fire Under Snow by Dorothy Vernon Page B

witch’s actions in the fairy tale. With a snip, snap she would have cut off her tresses just to spite him. The prince had loved Rapunzel to distraction; he had asked her to be his wife. Noel had not owned to love, only lust. And he had not asked her to be his wife, only his bedmate.
    She thanked God for her long hair, knowing that it had saved her from making a fool of herself. Seeing it gently uncoil had triggered off something in him. Until that moment he had moved so slowly, so cunningly and cautiously, inviting her confidence with his treacherous sweetness and kindness. He had fooled her so completely that she had been tripping over herself to tell him everything. Her lack of eloquence, her inability to conjure up the right words, had been a blessing for once, a timely hindrance.
    His patience with her on the dance floor, his persuasive sympathy as he encouraged her to talk about the fire just now – they were deliberate ploys to soften her up. Thank goodness his sweet-talking trickery had come to light. He didn’t care about what had happened to her; all he cared about was what he wanted to happen now. He didn’t want to even the score with Sir William; he wanted to beat him. He wanted to get to her first.
    She dragged her hair from his fingers, ignoring the searing pain in her head as he proved reluctant to relinquish his hold. “The next act has just been rewritten. The big seduction scene is out. My hair will never stray across your pillow,” she said with a vehemence that matched the raging fury of her thoughts. “I’ll cut it off first.”
    â€œWhat’s brought this on?” For a split second her attack stunned him, delaying the angry retaliation. The bite was back in his voice as he said, “You reverse moods quicker than any female I know.”
    â€œAnd you’re an authority on females, aren’t you? The expert. For all your skill and dexterity in handling them, you haven’t had much luck this evening. First Toni Carr, then me.”
    â€œWhat do you mean by that?” he demanded. “No doubt your friend, the manager of the Cabana, passed on your message inviting Miss Carr to join us for a meal. Your sultry songbird didn’t join us, so obviously she turned down your invitation. Isn’t that so?” She smirked sweetly.
    â€œIf you are suggesting that Miss Carr viewed the prospect of my company with distaste, then no, it is not so. She had another booking. It’s not unusual for a relatively unknown singer, struggling to make a name for herself, to have a taxi waiting to whisk her to a second engagement. That was the predicament Toni Carr was in this evening. She asked for a rain check. I’m taking her out for a meal tomorrow.”
    â€œGood. I hope the evening lives up to your expectations.”
    â€œWho said anything about evening? She works then, remember? I’m taking her to lunch.”
    â€œAnd then back to your apartment for a private audition?”
    â€œProbably. Jealous?” he taunted. “You don’t have to be. I’m taking you out tomorrow evening. So whether it lives up to my expectations rests entirely with you.”
    Oh, no! She couldn’t stand it. How much more could she take? She knew that he would work on her until she gave in. Each time they met she was finding it more difficult to resist.
    If only she could get away somewhere, away from his devious charm and his disturbing influence. She must have time to herself. She owed it to herself not to be browbeaten into anything. If she could get away from him for a while she would have a chance to think, and she might also be able to build up some reserves of strength.
    â€œI’ll call for you at the usual time,” he said.
    â€œNo.” Even though she closed her eyes in despair, her no rang out emphatically.
    â€œNo?” he challenged.
    â€œDid I forget to tell you? I won’t be here. I’m –” Her brain was