Black Rose

or child—that if I were a proper mother I’d’ve taken a switch to them regularly. She then called Harper a born liar, as he was entertaining some of his young cousins with stories about the Bride, and told him to shut his mouth.”
    He angled his head. “And still she lives.”
    Temper had brought a flush to her cheeks, but his comment had a small smile curving her lips. “She was on shaky ground already as she constantly criticized my parenting, my housekeeping, my lifestyle, and occasionally my morals. But nobody stands on my ground and attacks my children. While I did consider murder, knowing my quarry, I was certain banishment from Harper House was a more painful punishment.”
    “As I believe I said before, you’re a hardass. I like that.”
    “Good thing, ’cause that’s not going to change at this late date. In any case, on her way out the door, she cursed my name and said it was a black day when Harper House came into my grasping, incompetent hands.”
    “She sounds delightful. I’ll write her tomorrow.”
    “Just don’t mention you’re working for me.”
    “It wouldn’t be hard for her to find out.”
    “True enough, but the less you mention me the better. Anything else on your mind?”
    “Other than wondering how you manage to work all day and still look amazing, no. Nothing that springs, anyway.”
    She waited another moment, nodded. “You’re not going to mention it.”
    “What would it be?”
    “The visit my son paid to you last night.”
    “Oh.” Because she was watching his face, she caught the flicker of surprise that moved over it before he picked up the glasses he’d taken off and began to polish them with his sweatshirt. “He told you?”
    “Yes. He was angry, so he acted rashly.”
    “Like grabbing a fan rake instead of loppers.”
    Her laugh snuck out. “Very like. We have, both of us, horrible tempers. Which is why we both make a concerted effort not to lose them. It doesn’t always work. I’d like to apologize for his behavior.”
    “I can’t accept.”
    There was distress, something he rarely saw from her, in her eyes. “Mitch, I know he overstepped, but he’s young and—”
    “You misunderstand. I can’t accept an apology when there’s no need for one. From either of you. He was looking out for you.”
    “I don’t need, or want, looking out for.”
    “Maybe not, but that’s not going to stop someone who loves you from trying. We discussed, came to understand each other, and that’s all there was to it.”

    “And you’re not going to elaborate on that.”
    “It was between him and me.”
    “You men do have your codes of honor.”
    “You weren’t going to tell me about this latest harassment.”
    For an instant, she thought of the phone call from New York, then tucked it away again. “Nothing to tell. I’m dealing with it.”
    “What’s happened since last night? You’re good, so I must’ve caught you off guard. What else happened?”
    “Just a minor irritation, one I’ve already handled. It’s not important. More accurately, I won’t let it be important. If I do, it makes me the victim, and he wins. I won’t be his victim. That’s one thing I never allowed myself to be, and I won’t start now.”
    “Telling me, venting some of the stress, doesn’t make you a victim, either.”
    “I’m not used to airing my problems. I’m not comfortable with it. But I appreciate the offer.”
    He took her hand, held it. “Consider it a standing one. For my next offer, Chicago ’s coming to the Orpheum next week. Come with me, have a late supper with me after.”
    “I might. Are you courting me, Mitchell?”
    His thumb grazed back and forth over her hand. “I like to think I’m romancing you, Rosalind.”
    “That’s a pretty word, romancing . You’ve been careful not to pressure me into taking that romancing into intimacy.”
    “If I pressured you, it wouldn’t be romance, or intimacy. Besides the fact, I imagine the door would hit me in the ass as you shoved me out of it.”
    Humor danced over her face. “That’s astute. I think you’re a clever man.”
    “I know I’m a besotted one.”
    “Another pretty word.”

    “I’ll have to be careful with them. They’re the sort of thing you’d distrust.”
    “Yes, a clever man. Well.” She had a choice, and she made it. “Come upstairs.”
    For the second time that night, she watched surprise run over his face. Then he lifted her hand to his lips. “Would this be serious