Dark Rider Read Free

here.”
    He laughed. “I’m crushed. Now that we’ve establishedmy relative unimportance, may I ask your name?”
    “Kanoa.” It was not a lie. It was the name Lani had given her and meant more to her than her birth name.
    “The free one,” the Englishman translated. “But you’re not free. Not if this ugly one keeps you from pleasure.”
    “That’s none of your concern.”
    “On the contrary, I hope to make it very much my concern. I’ve had very good news tonight, and I feel like celebrating. Will you celebrate with me, Kanoa?”
    His smile shimmered in the darkness, coaxing, alluring. Nonsense. He was only a man; it was stupid to be so fascinated by this stranger. “Why should I? Your good news is nothing to me.”
    “Because it’s a fine night and I’m a man and you’re a woman. Isn’t that enough? I hate to see a woman deprived of—”
    He broke off as he came to within a few yards of her. Then with disgust he said, “Christ, you’re nothing but a child.”
    “I’m
not
a child.” It was a common and most annoying mistake. She was very small-boned and tiny compared to the Junoesque islanders and was always being thought younger than her nineteen years.
    “Oh, no, you must be all of fourteen or fifteen,” he said sarcastically.
    “No, I’m older than—”
    “Of course you are.”
    He didn’t believe her. It was foolish to argue with a man she would probably never see again. “It doesn’t matter.”
    “The hell it doesn’t,” he said roughly. “I heard what Kalua said about having her first man when she was thirteen. Don’t listen to her. Pay heed to this oldone. You have no business swimming out to foreign ships and coupling with sailors.”
    “But it’s entirely proper for you to fornicate with my friends.”
    “That’s different.”
    She snorted inelegantly.
    He blinked, and then his lips twitched as he tried to suppress a smile. “You disagree?”
    “Men always make themselves the exception to every rule. It’s not fair.”
    “You’re right, of course. We’re very unfair to females.”
    She felt a flicker of surprise. She was not accustomed to such easy acquiescense on this subject. Even Papa became defensive when she tried to discuss the issue of man’s injustice to women. “Then why don’t you stop?”
    “Because taking advantage of women makes the world a very comfortable and pleasant place for us males. I’d wager we’ll never be anything but unfair until we’re forced to it.”
    “And you will be. It cannot last forever. Mary Wollstonecraft has even written a book that—”
    “Mary Wollstonecraft? What do you know of her?”
    “Lani was taught by the English missionaries. The Reverend Densworth’s wife gave her a copy of Miss Wollstonecraft’s book, and she gave it to me.”
    He groaned. “Good God, and I thought I was leaving the teachings of those Bluestockings behind when I left London.”
    She frowned in puzzlement. “Bluestockings?”
    “Learned ladies like Miss Wollstonecraft. I never thought they’d invade a paradise like this.”
    “Truth and justice cannot be hidden,” she said earnestly.
    “I see,” he replied solemnly. “Is that what your Miss Wollstonecraft says?”
    She felt a hurtful pang. “You’re making mock of me.”
    He frowned. “Dammit, I didn’t mean—”
    “Don’t lie. You did mean it.”
    “All right, I was mocking you. It’s all I know. I’m not accustomed to talking to youngsters like you.”
    “Well, you don’t have to talk to me any longer.” She started to turn away. “I won’t stay to listen to—”
    “Wait.”
    “Why should I? So that you can mock me again?”
    “No.” He grimaced. “I’m feeling unusual twinges of conscience. I believe I need absolution.” He smiled coaxingly. “Stay and give it to me, Kanoa.”
    His eyes no longer appeared cold, and his entire being seemed to exude a glowing persuasiveness that was nearly mesmerizing. She had a sudden desire to take a step closer, move