The Heroic Baron by Nikki Poppen

Author:Nikki Poppen [Poppen, Nikki]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-10-30T05:51:00+00:00

A light summer breeze blew against Cecile’s cheek as she lounged on the picnic blanket Alain had spread beneath a tree. Close by, young boys played with toy ships in the park’s boat pond. She watched them idly, drinking in the little pleasures of the day. It had been years since she’d indulged in an afternoon picnic and lazed around afterwards on a blanket. Never had she done so with a gentleman, like she did today. She moved her gaze from the boys sailing their boats to the man on the blanket beside her.

Alain lay stretched out, his long legs crossed at the ankles and his hands tucked behind his head. His eyes were closed and he looked utterly at peace in his rest. Looking at him now, it was easy to discard the anxieties of the night, to forget what she’d overheard in his garden. Resting as he was now, it was impossible to believe Alain was other than an officer from a titled family. Aristocracy and athletic grace were mixed in the lines of his reposed body. Only nobility could rest so completely in the middle of the day without a care in the world.

She was somewhat surprised that such tranquil repose came to Alain so easily. When he’d arrived that afternoon, he’d seemed agitated, distracted, as if there was something on his mind. It had seemed odd that Alain had not invited Etienne to join them. He must have understood the broad hints Etienne dropped and he must have known how much Etienne would love a day at the Tuileries.

Alain stirred and popped open one mossy eye with a grin. “You must think me a lazy man, to lay here napping while you pick up our meal” Alain propped himself on one elbow. “Are you tired of sitting? We could take a walk. I have something I wanted to talk over with you”

He said it too casually, Cecile thought, rising to her feet and shaking out her skirt. What could it be that he wanted to talk over with her? Would he ask her to be his mistress? To move to Poland with him when he was recalled? Whatever it was, it was going to alter their relationship. His news would probably do more than alter the relationship, it would most likely end it. Cecile fussed with the picnic basket trying to hide her nervousness, thinking of ways to forestall what came next.

Alain took her hand and tucked it through his arm. “Leave those things; they can wait. I find that I am running out of time.”

The cryptic comment sealed Cecile’s attention. She spoke frankly. “I have felt all afternoon that you’ve had something on your mind. Perhaps you should have told me before we picknicked? Then we could have relaxed.”

“I wanted to make sure that you had a lovely afternoon. I wasn’t certain you would come on the outing if I told you my news first”

Cecile felt a knot growing in her stomach. Her instincts had been right.

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