Part 15 (2/2)

”Who is that woman with the captain?” Angelica heard Gabriella ask Domenico the very same question that was in her mind. Domenico stepped down from the carriage, no longer smiling.

”That is Marie Jaures and her daughter, Monique. Her husband, Thomas, was killed. He died a hero. Thomas and Simon were good friends. He consoles her for her loss. There are others about to learn of their husbands' deaths. As commander of one of the s.h.i.+ps, I must go offer my condolences. I will speak to Simon and advise him of our marriage plans, and tell him that you have gone with Angelica to his home. He'll not mind if you stay there until our wedding. The old priest, Pere Crotteau, however, will most definitely voice his disapproval if I keep you in my home with me until we are wed. Although, if he's not willing to forgo the practice of posting the banns to allow us to marry sooner, I may threaten it.” He smiled.

Gabriella blushed. She leaned down and kissed him. Angelica tried to ignore the tug at her heart. Domenico gave orders to the driver and left.

Simon continued to hold Marie Jaures, speaking to her in her ear, her sorrow heart-wrenching. He reached down and tenderly stroked Monique's head while the child wept into her mother's skirt. A knot formed in Angelica's throat.

He was a man with compa.s.sion. Perhaps she should tell him about her past. Perhaps she should try.

”This is lovely!” Gabriella voiced Angelica's sentiments.

Angelica approached the large bed in the middle of the room on the second floor of Simon's home and gently stroked the diaphanous white drapery that surrounded it. Noticing double doors, she walked over, opened them, and stepped out onto the small balcony, staring out at the lush tropics and distant sea.

Gabriella stopped beside her. ”Have you ever seen any sight more spectacular?”

Yes, she thought, the sight of Simon's smile and the way he looked at her with desire in his eyes. She had to stop this. Now.

”Mademoiselle?” a.s.sunta, the housekeeper, addressed Gabriella. ”If you will follow me, I'll show you to your room next door.”

”I'd like to stay here awhile with my friend. I can show myself to my room later. Merci.” Gabriella astounded Angelica by speaking to the housekeeper entirely in French.

a.s.sunta nodded. ”As you wish,” she said.

Gabriella turned to her and smiled. ”Domenico has been teaching me French on the voyage. What do you think?”

”I think you are full of wonderful surprises today, Gabriella.”

The moment a.s.sunta closed the door, Gabriella spun around with her arms open wide. ”I am so happy, I fear I'll burst!”

Angelica couldn't help but smile.

Gabriella grabbed her hands, pulled her into the room and down with her onto the edge of the bed. Her private area came in quick contact with the mattress. She felt an instant twinge of tenderness.

”Angelica, I cannot tell you how wonderful Domenico is.” Gabriella flopped onto her back and stared at the ceiling dreamy-eyed. Rolling onto her side, she rested her cheek on her palm. Angelica mimicked her pose.

When they were young, they had often sneaked into each other's beds, lain just like this, and had lengthy conversations. This felt good. And familiar. She wanted to lose herself in Gabriella's story of love, hoping it would help her to stave off the feelings of anxiety. Every minute that pa.s.sed brought her closer to the inevitable confrontation with Simon. She only hoped it would occur much later, for she still had no idea what she'd say.

The door opened, startling the two women. They sat up.

Simon stood inside the threshold, his light blue eyes unreadable. It didn't matter that he masked his anger. Angelica could sense it just the same. Her stomach tightened.

The time had come.

Angelica could tell Simon hadn't expected to find Gabriella in her room.

”Gabriella,” he said tightly. ”I understand that congratulations are in order. Domenico tells me of your upcoming nuptials.”

”Yes, Captain. Thank you.” Gabriella stood. ”I wish to offer my condolences for the loss of your friend, Thomas Jaures.”

Angelica rose. ”Yes, me too, Simon.”

He glanced at her briefly. ”Thank you.” Then he returned his gaze to Gabriella. ”Gabriella, I'd like a private word with Angelica.”

”Of course.” Gabriella gave her a hug. ”We shall talk more later,” she whispered in her ear, and then left the room.

Simon walked over to a small table and pulled out a chair. He turned it around to face her.

”Sit down.”

Angelica straightened her spine. Though she didn't like it when he tried to command her, at the moment, it wasn't her sole reason for not wis.h.i.+ng to comply. The hard surface of the chair didn't look comfortable, given the delicate state of her lower region.

”I prefer to stand, thank you.”

He lifted an eyebrow. ”Sit. Down. Now.” Each word was firmly dealt.

Given the look in his eyes and the sound of his tone, she thought it best to bend. She'd bear the soreness.

She walked over and sat.

Her senses were keenly aware of his presence behind her, of his muscled thighs near her back, and of his fingers near her shoulder as his hand rested on the back of her chair. She felt small near his towering form. He was physically overwhelming. Every beautiful part of him was strong, sculpted, and large. She s.h.i.+fted in her chair.

He walked around and lowered himself onto his haunches before her. Resting his elbows on the arms of her chair, he gazed up at her.

Her heart pounded. She fought not to fidget.

”Dieu, look at you,” he breathed. ”You are exquisite to behold.”

She kept her hands tightly folded on her lap and forced herself to return his gaze. His closeness and the velvety sound of his voice made her yearn for him on so many disquieting levels.

”Such a beautiful face...masks so much deceit. Tell me, what twisted pleasure have you derived from having me believe you were a virgin?”

She'd known this was coming, but now, in the moment, it felt so much worse than antic.i.p.ated. His cool manner was far more distressing than if he'd raged at her.

She could feel the wall she'd always hidden behind becoming higher. More solid. She could feel herself slipping into familiar patterns, her old ways of silence. Her throat tightened, choking off words from her heart she wanted to voice, words about what he meant to her, what last night had meant to her.

It was just as well. He wasn't interested in hearing soft sentiment. At the moment, he was only interested in the truth about her past.

”No answer, chere? What a surprise.” He rose and pulled a chair over. He sat down in front of her, his knees on either side of hers. Leaning forward, he rested his elbows on his thighs. ”You have fooled me at every turn. Shame on me. Good for you.”

His familiar scent, so appealing, enveloped her. She found herself wis.h.i.+ng she could erase his discovery of her lost innocence from his memory. He'd never looked at her so dispa.s.sionately. Cold anger was the only way to describe it.

”Tell me, did you plan for me to discover your lack of innocence last night, or were you simply hoping I wouldn't realize you were not a virgin?”

”I didn't make any such plan. Nor did I give it perhaps the consideration I should have. I just wanted...to be with you.”

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