Tender Fury by Connie Mason

Author:Connie Mason [Mason, Connie]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: Fiction, Historical, Romance, Western
ISBN: 9780843921731
Google: Z0AAAAAACAAJ
Amazon: B006IUVDUC
Barnesnoble: B006IUVDUC
Goodreads: 238487
Publisher: Leisure
Published: 1984-01-02T10:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Though Gabby’s body healed her heart remained heavy. She feared to ask the question that burned on the tip of her tongue. Was Amalie aboard the Windward with Philippe? She had seen nothing of Amalie since that fateful day that lingered in her memory like a bad dream.

Not the least of her worries were the eerie drums reverberating throughout the long nights in her lonely bed. Not one night had gone by since Philippe’s departure that the drums didn’t add to her wakefulness. Gabby found them vaguely threatening even though Tance Louise assured her they were just a means for the slaves to work off their frustrations. But to Gabby they sounded sinister. She remembered how they had frightened her the night before she discovered Philippe’s unfaithfulness and lost her child. Even visits from Honore and Linette failed to raise her spirits.

One day, nearly a month after Philippe’s departure, Marcel was ushered into her room by a scowling Gerard. It was clear that the slave held little esteem for the man Philippe hated with a vengeance. Gerard left them alone only after a warning frown directed at Gabby. It was obvious that he intended to remain close by.

“I’m truly sorry, Gabby,” Marcel said gently when he had seated himself next to the bed. “I know how much the child meant to you.”

“And to Philippe,” added Gabby, her voice tinged with regret.

“ Oui, and to your husband,” allowed Marcel grudgingly.

“Is it true you were riding to Le Chateau when the accident occurred?” he asked, taking her slim hand into his.

“ Oui, Marcel,” admitted Gabby, eyes lowered.

“Do you wish to tell me about it? I fail to understand why your husband chose to leave for an extended journey at a time when you most need him. I am your friend, cherie,” Marcel emphasized, “you can tell me anything and I shall understand and help you if I am able.”

Tears welled in Gabby’s eyes and fell like rain drops down her pale cheeks. Whatever Marcel was to anyone else, he was a friend to her. Marcel whipped out his handkerchief and tenderly dabbed at Gabby’s tears, then sat back until she was able to speak.

“I was on my way to Le Chateau, to you, Marcel, the only friend I have other than your sisters, when the horse I was riding reared and threw me.”

Marcel was aghast. “But what happened after you left my plantation to cause you to mount a horse in your condition and ride headlong into the jungle?” Somehow he knew Philippe was behind her reckless deed.

“Amalie!” ground out Gabby, choking back a sob. Marcel’s green eyes grew brittle with speculation but he said nothing. “Upon my return to Bellefontaine I found Philippe and Amalie in… in my bed, make… making love!” Bitterness was heavy upon her tongue. “I was blinded by all but the sight of her naked body clutching at Philippe’s flesh and the sound of their cries and groans of bliss. I thought only to flee from the sight and sounds of Philippe’s lust for his mistress.

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