"A bit late for that. "
"Is it?"
"Do you think I'm so weak-minded, so spineless that I'd let her tricks influence me?"
"I think you're strong-minded, perilously close to a fault. I'm just not sure how much you disagree with her. "
"I see. Well, well, well. I think I've told y'all what I can. I'm going to go on up, do some paperwork. Harper, it'd set my mind at ease if you'd go back to the nursery, just make sure everything's under control. David, the tea was just right, thanks. "
She rose, strode out of the room without a second glance.
"Well, pissing her off brought the color back in her cheeks," David commented.
"Then she'll probably have a permanent healthy blush by the time I'm done. Excuse me. "
"Brave, brave man," David stated as Mitch marched out.
"Or brick stupid," Harper said. "Either way, I think he's in love with her. If he's stupid, she'll chew him up and spit him out, regardless. If he's brave, he might just make the cut. I hope he does. "
ROZ HAD JUSTreached her bedroom when Mitch caught up and walked right in behind her. She turned around, slow and deliberate.
"I don't believe I invited you in. "
"I don't believe I asked for an invitation. " Just as slow, just as deliberate, he closed the door. And to her shock, locked it.
"You're going to want to unlock that and step out again, or believe me, the wrath of this arguably psychotic ghost will be nothing compared to mine. "
"You want a shot at me, take it. But I'll damn well know why first. "
"I've just told you. I don't appreciate your invading my privacy this way, and presuming - "
"And that's bullshit. What led up to this? You've been brushing me off and evading me for days. The last time we were together, we were in that bed, and you were with me, Rosalind. I want to know what changed. "
"Nothing. I've got my own life, just as you do. " In a deliberate and, she could admit, petty move, she walked to the terrace doors, flung them open. "I had a lot to do. "
He simply crossed over, slammed the doors shut. Locked them.
She wasn't sure she could get words past the fire of rage burning in her throat. "If you think for one minute I'll tolerate that - "
"Just be quiet. " He snapped it out, and though blistering temper boiled inside her, she found herself measuring him in a new light.
"On second thought," he said before she could think of a response, "answer one question. I told you I was falling in love with you. Was that a mistake?"
"Telling me? No. Falling, possibly. I'm a difficult woman. "
"That's not a news flash. "
"Mitchell, I'm tired, I'm angry, I'm emotionally . . . I don't know what the hell I am, but I don't want to fight with you now, because I'll fight dirty and regret it later. I don't want to talk to you. I don't want to be with you. "
"I'm not leaving, because you're tired and you're angry, and in emotional turmoil. You don't want to talk or fight, fine. Lie down, take a nap. I'll wait until you're feeling stronger. "
"God. Goddamnit. " She whirled away, stormed toward the terrace doors, and unlocking them again, threw them open to the rain. "I need air. I just need some fucking air. "
"Fine. Suck it in then, all you want. But this time, Rosalind, you're going to talk to me. "
"What do you expect me to say? What do you want to hear?"
"The truth'll do. "