The Maestro's Maker by Rhonda Leigh Jones

Author:Rhonda Leigh Jones
Language: eng
Format: epub

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Bernardo’s young sister, whose name was Florentine, had the same rosy cheeks, with

golden hair and eyes the color of turquoise from the New World. She was already in the

carriage by the time we came, sitting in the forward-facing seat. Claude-Michel bowed in

greeting. Florentine smiled and lowered her eyes before meeting his again, more boldly

this time. I could tell she was strongly attracted to him, but I was too put out by the night

before to care.

“At your service, cherie,” he said with a bow.

Bernardo didn’t have a driver, so Jean climbed into the driver’s seat. It was a large

carriage, with an extra forward-facing seat behind Florentine’s where two more passengers

could sit side-by side, or one person could stretch out. Claude-Michel suggested I take it

first, as I “no doubt got little rest the night before.”

I took it, but I did not lie down right away. I sat behind Bernardo at the end opposite

to Florentine and Claude-Michel, where I could see them better. When I climbed in, I

looked at Florentine from head to toe as I passed. She smiled up at me, pretending to be

friendly. At that moment, I wanted to slap her face, but not as much as I wanted to slap

Claude-Michel’s for the amused smile he gave me.

François, I wanted to kill. He snickered audibly and took the place next to Claude-

Michel.

Once everyone had settled, Claude-Michel began asking about Florentine’s wedding

and found she was betrothed to a man who was “rather old.”

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“Florentine!” her brother admonished. “He is a very wealthy man, and a good friend

of Papa’s. And he has always treated you well. Remember the doll he gave you that you

adored?”

“I was eight years old, Bernardo. And he was thirty-two. I do like him, but—”

“You agreed he would make a good husband,” Bernardo said.

“I’ll be bored, Bernardo.”

“You won’t be bored. He’ll take you to the theatre.”

She sighed heavily and stared out the window.

Bernardo looked at Claude-Michel nervously. “You have to excuse my sister, Signore.

She has such romantic notions.”

“But romance is the great adventure of life,” Claude-Michel said, with a long look at

Florentine. She stole a glance at him out of the corner of her eye. Even from here I could

see her pretending to restrain her smile.

We camped in the forest in late afternoon. Jean built a fire and took care of the horses,

while Claude-Michel went into the forest to relieve himself. I wondered if he really

needed to, since vampires do that far less than regular people, especially when blood is

scarce.

I decided to follow him. “I need to speak with you. Claude-Michel,” I said.

“Then speak,” he answered without stopping.

At first I stopped, unable to believe his continued arrogance. Then I caught up with

him and blocked his way. “Claude-Michel. I don’t understand you. One day you beat me.

The next you woo me, then you give François rights with me. Now you won’t even speak

to me.”

He stopped and regarded me sternly. “It is, my lovely pet, because of your childish

insistence that I conduct my affairs differently. You will accept my attentions as I choose

to give them.

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