The Passion (Notorious 2)

"How dare you," Aurora said through gritted teeth.

"There is no cause for alarm. It isn't dangerous – "

"Of course there is cause for alarm. He could be hurt. Harry is just a child, and you are teaching him violence."

"He is old enough to learn to defend himself."

Her jaw locked with anger. "Get out, Nicholas," she grated out. "You are not welcome here. I don't wish you to

see Harry again."

She ignored the boy's startled, bewildered look. She had called Nicholas by his real name, but she was too furious to care. "From now on, you will keep away from him, do you understand me? I forbid you even to speak to him."

"But Rory," the boy began plaintively. "I asked Mr. Deverill – "

"Harry, go to your room, please."

"Rory…"

"Now, at once!"

The boy gave her an accusing glance, his lower lip trembling. But surprisingly he didn't argue further. Instead, he stiffened his skinny shoulders and glanced at Nicholas, then marched past her out the door.

"You handled that well," Nicholas remarked sardonically, reaching for his coat.

Her chin rose regally. "How I deal with Harry is no concern of yours."

"I'm sorry I didn't consult you first, Aurora. But I didn't realize you would object so strongly."

"Of course I object. You are teaching him how to assault people!"

"It isn't at all the same thing. Don't you think you are overreacting just a bit?"

"Not in the least. I am protecting him from your influence. You will end up getting him injured or even killed."

A muscle in his jaw tightened. "Just because you live in fear doesn't mean that you should force young Harry to."

Aurora glared. "Get out, Nicholas! Get out of this house before I have you thrown out."

His eyes narrowed. "Some day you will have to face your fear, sweetheart. You're afraid of life, so afraid you've buried yourself alive. But you cannot just stop living simply because you might be hurt."

She was too angry to acknowledge the truth in his accusation. "I told you to go!" Quivering with fury, she pointed commandingly at the door.

Nicholas strode past her, but instead of leaving, he swung the door shut. When he turned to her, she felt as if she might melt from the blistering heat of his eyes. "Listen to me – " Crossing to her, he grasped her by the shoulders.

She recoiled from him, struggling. "Don't touch me…" She tried to pull away, but he wouldn't release her. Enraged, she drew back her hand and struck his face with her open palm.

His head jerked back, while his face went so dark that she instinctively stepped back.

Aurora stared, horrified by what she had done. She had never struck anyone in her life. Dear God, she was no better than her father… And Nicholas… He looked as if he might strike her in return.

"I… I'm sorry…" she stammered, her heart pounding as she waited for his expected explosion.

It never came.

"You're sorry?" he asked softly. His expression had suddenly changed.

Moving slowly, inexorably, toward her, he backed her to the wall, pinning her with his body. His eyes were ablaze, astonishingly not with anger, but with a fierce tenderness.