Part 10 (2/2)
Unable to tell her while looking into those exquisite eyes, Barnabas pulled away and crossed to the other side of the room. ”I am going to ask Josette to marry me,” he said quietly.
Angelique folded her arms at her waist, trying to control the pain and anger his words caused. A jealous rage would do no good. ”I cannot pretend surprise. After all, how can a mere servant possibly compete with a lady like Miss Josette? I have nothing to give you - except my love. Evidently that is not enough for you.”
He turned her to look at him. ”Angelique,” he said, his voice tortured, ”the reasons for my decision are complicated. I am not sure I understand them fully myself. But it is the only decision I can make.”
”Of course. What - What will happen to me?”
”Once I have left, you will find someone else. Someone who can give you more than I am free to give.”
”I do not want someone else, Barnabas. I want only you.”
”Please, Angelique. Do not make this anymore difficult than it is.”
She closed her eyes for a moment. ”As you wish. Will I - continue to see you until you leave?”
”I don't - ” he began, but she interrupted him,
”Oh, I know I should have pride enough not to ask, but I have no pride where you are concerned.” She touched his arm. ”Is it so much to ask? These last few weeks?”
The soft glitter of tears in her beautiful eyes was Barnabas' undoing. Gently, he drew her into his arms. ”No. No, it is not. I will be here when I am able. Stop crying,” he said softly, raising her face with the intention of wiping away the tears. But the nearness of her made him lower his mouth fully onto hers...
”You wished to speak to me, Barnabas?” Andre asked.
Barnabas stood before the man's desk. ”Yes, sir. I would like to marry your daughter.”
”Have you asked her?”
”Not yet. I preferred to speak to you first.”
The Count's eyes narrowed. ”Why do you want to marry her?”
”Because I love her, sir,” he answered. In a way, it was true. What he felt for Josette was love. Oh, not the heart-stopping, soul-destroying feeling he had for Angelique, but a quieter, more comfortable feeling. Perhaps, he considered, it was the better of the two.26.
”It is certainly no secret how she feels about you,” Andre said, rising and staring up at the portrait of Josette's mother. ”Very well. You have my permission to speak to Josette.”
”Thank you, sir.”
He heard feminine voices in the garden, and realized that Angelique was there with Josette. Barnabas hesitated before approaching the stone bench where they sat doing needlepoint and talking in French. Two such different women - and he was drawn to both. Angelique glanced up and saw him. She must have read his face, or perhaps she read his mind, for she rose to her feet.
”M'sieu Collins,” she said with a curtsey.
”Barnabas,” Josette said, turning to see him. ”I thought you still locked with Papa in his study.”
”I have just come from there.” He could not look at Angelique. ”Josette, may I speak with you? Alone?”
Angelique gathered up the sewing material and curtseyed again. ”I will go and see if the Countess has work for me. Pardon, M'sieu.” She slipped past him toward the house.
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