The Duke's Defiant Cinderella by Parker J. Cole

Author:Parker J. Cole
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-07-15T16:34:25+00:00

* * *

The Queen’s words had sent a surge of emotion through him, but Bastien masked it with a bow of acknowledgement. He’d done it. The House of St Clare had regained favour with the Crown.

So why, though he was pleased for this happy event, did he not feel quite the resounding sense of accomplishment he’d thought he would?

His father had claimed he’d never once pined for entrance into Versailles, although Bastien hadn’t believed him.

‘Should I live in a castle or eke out an existence in a hovel, as long as your mother is with me I am the happiest of men,’ he had said.

Perhaps the old man had truly meant it after all.

When Lilas turned, Bastien could see that her eyes shone with pleasure. She looked as regal as the Queen herself...graceful and lovely. So far from the tearful cinder girl he’d held in his arms all those years ago.

A longing to share his triumph with her pervaded his being. So it was disappointing when he and Lilas were separated for dinner.

Everything about the meal was meant to engage all the senses. Roasted pheasant dressed in feathers, pâté stuffed inside a golden crust, and yet more delectable dishes, dressed and decorated to tempt the appetite. No less than ten courses were served, consisting of all sorts of food: cooked turtle served in its shell, clear soup and broth, new vegetables and airy and creamy desserts, along with other mouthwatering delicacies.

Bastien had been seated next to Fleur, the Duchesse de Villers-Cotterêts. Through their conversation, he learned she was a princesse du sang. A beautiful widow with pale skin and unpowdered black hair coiled about her head. Dressed impeccably in a gown of sky blue and white, she was a vision of loveliness.

‘Is the turtle not to your liking?’ she asked him now.

Bastien blinked from his unseeing stare and turned to the woman by his side. ‘It is, Madame la Duchesse. I was simply lost in my thoughts.’

‘I can understand that, Monsieur le Duc. Madame la Reine has bestowed a great honour upon you.’

At her answer, he cocked his head to one side, sending unwanted thoughts away. ‘How perceptive of you.’

‘I am a very observant woman.’ Her heavy-lidded eyes roamed over him. ‘I make it a practice to be aware of...interesting people.’

Bastien saw encouragement in her eyes, but she wasn’t as blatant as some women he’d met in the past. She simply looked as if she wanted to know more about him.

‘Is that so?’ he said.

‘Who hasn’t heard about the new Duc de Languedoc and his betrothed who was once his servant? An extraordinary story, to say the least.’

He glanced down the long table to see Lilas in conversation with another man, her face animated and bright. Forcing himself to not scowl, he took in the other man’s features, seeing that he didn’t lack in physical appeal. Bright skin. Robust physique. Alert eyes riveted on Lilas. Like himself, he wore a touch of rouge on his cheeks to add definition, and a white wig crowned his proud head.

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