You and No Other by Cynthia Wright

Author:Cynthia Wright [Wright, Cynthia]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Historical, Romance
ISBN: 9780345308078
Publisher: Cynthia Challed
Published: 1984-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

May 24-June 1, 1526

Aimée was still simmering with indignation when she entered St. Briac's apartments. Her fury was such that for a moment she didn't notice Chauverge standing guiltily in front of a towering dresser, its doors wide open.

"Mademoiselle de Fleurance," he gasped. "I thought—I mean—weren't you and the seigneur de St. Briac out in the courtyard?"

"We were interrupted," she informed him sweetly. "Thomas will be along any moment. Was he expecting you?"

The chevalier stuffed something white back into the open cupboard and then closed the doors. "Actually, no. I just stopped by to, ah, apologize in case he felt any of the unpleasantness about that old woman might be my fault. The manservant was unpacking, so I waited, and just now I noticed that the fellow left this dresser cupboard open, and I was closing it as you walked in."

"Indeed?" Aimée arched a finely drawn brow in flawless imitation of her betrothed. "I appreciate your elaborate explanation, monsieur. I'll be certain to pass it along to Thomas when he arrives."

"In that case, I'll just be on my way, mademoiselle."

"Au revoir," she replied, enjoying the sick smile that he pasted on while backing out the door.

Moments later St. Briac appeared. "Did I just see Chauverge come out of here? He hurried off in the other direction at the sight of me."

"He was looking at what appeared to be a piece of parchment in the cupboard of your dresser," Aimée said coldly. "When I came in, he put it back amid effusive excuses about what he was up to."

"Hmm. 'Twould seem I haven't been giving our friend enough credit. He's even more treacherous than I'd guessed." St. Briac's brows knit thoughtfully as he opened the dresser and withdrew folded sheets of parchment. "The letter I received the other evening," he told her absently.

"I don't think he'd opened it yet."

"I pray not." St. Briac lifted the heavy lid of a chest against the far wall and drew out a carved wooden box. Unlocking it, he placed the letter inside and then turned the key and took it from the lock. Aimée watched as he returned the box to its hiding place, thought for a moment, and then withdrew a small doe-skin pouch that appeared to be attached inside the waist of his breeches. The key then was concealed in the pouch. It occurred to Aimée that she should be pleased to be included in what was obviously a secret of some importance to St. Briac, but she wasn't ready to let go of the anger she had been nursing since he'd dismissed her in the courtyard.

"So." He looked up at Aimée as if mentally shaking himself back to the moment at hand. "Now that we've taken care of that, let's return to my welcome home greeting. Where were we before that rude interruption?"

She seized on this instantly. "The Dagonneaux's rudeness was pale compared to yours, monseigneur. How dare you treat me that way in front of them?"

St. Briac laughed and came toward her.

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