The Diamond King by Patricia Potter

Author:Patricia Potter
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781504001052
Publisher: Open Road Media Romance

Chapter Fifteen

“Your excellency,” Jenna said in French as she was led into Governor Louis Richárds’ presence. She curtsied. “It was very good of you to see me.”

“I did not realize Captain Malfour had a wife,” the governor said, his dark eyes devouring her like a shark might a fish.

“He is a jealous man, your excellency. He may feel that you might be a threat to him. A powerful and handsome man like you.”

He visibly preened. He was not an unattractive man, and would even be handsome if he did not have such an obvious love for food and wine. His face had a red splotchy look of a man who liked the latter too much.

“I have worried about him,” she said. “We have not been married long, and you, a man of the world, must know how … sad it is to be parted.”

“Oui, madame,” he acknowledged with a gleam in his eyes. “You speak French very well.”

“Merci. My husband has taught me.”

“You are Scottish?”

“Oui.”

“One of the refugees?”

“Non, your excellency. Not refugees. Not in your fine country. We were befriended by the Duc d’Estaige, who helped finance our voyage,” she said, remembering a name she’d heard mentioned—and cursed—by her father and his British friends. It was, she knew, an influential French name, and a man who had financially supported Prince Charles. “He will be most appreciative of all the help you have given us. But then we share much, do we not? We have a common enemy. But I feel my husband has lingered too long. ’Tis the grape, I am sure. He does have a tendency to indulge too much. So I came to ask for your help.” She had said her little speech without a pause, thus denying him the opportunity to interrupt.

“We too enjoy his company,” the governor said, his gaze darting away from hers. “We did not realize we would be detaining him from such a lovely wife.”

“You are too kind,” she said. “I shall report back to the duc that you have been ever so kind and helpful. I am sure he will find a way to express his gratitude. And in the meantime, may I see my husband? I do wish to scold him for not bringing me ashore to meet you.”

He looked uncertain.

“Are you married, your excellency?” She was babbling. But she had no idea what to say to him.

Still, he was listening. “Oui.”

“Then you know a wife would miss her husband. And feel safe with him, and … and …” She hesitated. “Will you convince him to return to the ship, that his duty lies there … with me?” She fingered the emerald necklace. “I would be ever so grateful.”

She was trying to give him a way to retreat from keeping the captain prisoner while indicating she had far more influence than, of course, she had. In truth, she had absolutely none.

He dithered, but his gaze did not leave her necklace. “That is a fine emerald,” he said.

“An admirer in France gave it to me.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.