Summons to the Chateau D'Arc by Kay Cornelius

Author:Kay Cornelius
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FICTION/Romance/General
Publisher: Diversion Books
Published: 2012-10-16T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

I expected Mignon to tell the marquis about Lucy’s encounter with Monsieur Worth, but she apparently decided it would be in her best interest to say nothing. She allowed Lucy to purchase far more expensive material for my gown and riding dress than I would ever have chosen for myself and seemed resigned that it would be made, with or without her approval. As soon as we returned from our errands, Lucy and Mignon went to their rooms to rest, but I didn’t feel tired.

Thinking Jacques and the marquis had gone out, I brought my needlework downstairs and had just settled myself in a chair by a window in the salon when I heard their voices in the hall. Apparently they were standing just inside the drawing room, unaware of my presence.

“I will not stand for it, do you hear?”

There was no mistaking the anger in the marquis’ question and Jacques’ reply. “Stand for what, Sir? What crimes am I supposed to have committed?”

“You know better than anyone what you might have done, Jacques. It would not be the first time your antics have frightened people away. But I will not have Ellen treated that way.”

Jacques’ voice was filled with scorn. “Oh, so it is Ellen now, is it? Getting to know her rather well, are you?”

“Hold your tongue, Jacques! I will not allow you to change the subject. Apparently you have been up to your usual mischief. Now that you have been found out, what do you have to say for yourself?”

“I have no idea what you mean. I cannot be blamed for what your sweet Ellen might imagine.”

I half-rose, ready to burst in on them and add my own accusations to those of the marquis. Then I realized how tenuous my position would be if I should do so, and reluctantly I stayed where I was.

“You know quite well what I mean. Let me put it to you as clearly as I can. You will not do anything—and I mean anything—to cause Ellen, or anyone else, to feel afraid. You are not to go into her room or take any of her things. Is that clear enough?”

There was a short silence, and for a moment I thought they had parted ways without saying anything further. But then Jacques laughed, a sound that set my hair on end.

“Mademoiselle Ellen has all but invited me into her bed more than once. If she keeps on such pursuit, you cannot blame me if I allow myself to be caught.”

Liar! I wanted to scream out the word, and I stood. I had taken a few steps toward the hall when I realized how awkward it would be if I came forward then, having eavesdropped on the rest of their conversation, and once more I stopped.

Following another pause, the marquis spoke slowly, his tone now more sorrowful than angry. “The truth is not in you, Jacques.”

“How can you

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