A Cantata of Love (The Code Breakers 4) Read Free Page A

London, I do not know.”
    “It feels so long since I left. I’ve missed home.” Then, catching himself like a guilty child caught in an act of mischief, he gave her a rueful smile. “I’m sorry, that was thoughtless of me.”
    She clenched her interlocked fingers together. “I understand.” She understood that she’d never be able to return home. The estate had been destroyed, their belongings taken. If not for Lucien, she might be a pauper with no prospects.
    Lord Kendal reached across and took her hand. “My sister, Henrietta, is going to love you. And until we can contact your brother, you’ll stay with us.”
    “You often called your sister’s name when you were delirious with the fever.”
    His hand tightened around her fingers. “Did I say anything else?”
    She was surprised he didn’t ask her about the code book. He never spoke about why he’d been fleeing Fouché or how he’d been wounded. Living in revolutionary France these past years, she had learned not to ask questions when the answers could come back to harm you.
    She stared into his shining eyes. His cherubic face, filled with youthful openness, was not one of a deceptive agent on a secret mission.
    “You called me your ma’am,” she teased.
    “I thought you were my mother when you sang the French lullabies. She had a wonderful voice, but nothing in comparison to your sweet soprano.”
    “I didn’t know your mother was French.”
    “My father would say he fell under her Gallic charm and never recovered. Theirs was a love match—unheard of. And my grandfather, the earl, was not pleased.”
    “How wonderful to be able to marry for love.”
    “You don’t think your brother will allow you to marry whomever you want?”
    She didn’t’ know. The Terror had changed her brother. The violence had changed all of France. The idea of marrying for love and a future wasn’t anything she had given herself time to ponder. She had spent her time surviving and waiting to escape France. But she wouldn’t feel safe until she was with her brother.
    “I don’t know. Not anything I need to think about now.” She nodded her head toward the maid who snored loudly, her head against the side of the carriage. “Tell me more about your French mother.”
    Apparently displeased by her diversion away from the topic of marriage, Lord Kendal’s dimples disappeared with his glaring frown. “My mother made everyone laugh. My father would always say that I was too much like my mother when I played tricks, but I knew it was an admirable trait to be like my mother. What was your mother like?” he asked.
    “My mother was married very young to my father, the marquis. He wasn’t a very affectionate or approachable man, and I’ve always wondered what my mother’s life was like. I always believed Lucien and I brought joy to her loveless marriage. She protected Lucien and me from the misery of her marriage. We never were exposed to my father’s temper.”
    Lord Kendal’s bright eyes faded as he searched her face. She didn’t want his pity, but she wanted him to understand that she wasn’t naïve after witnessing her mother’s suffering. She knew what her life would be if she were forced to marry Jerome Bonaparte.
    “Do you have any other family?”
    “Yes, I have a younger brother, Edward, who is a cricket fiend. Do you play?”
    “Cricket?” She couldn’t imagine a French woman playing cricket. “No, only piano.”
    “He’ll be very disappointed. And he won’t be impressed by your skills as a pianist. Why do I have a feeling you’re very accomplished?”
    She shrugged her shoulders. How to explain that music kept her sane during the long, lonely years? “Music helped me during the dark times in my country. Do you play?”
    “I play a little, but my interest has always been more on the mathematical side of music.”
    “Mathematical?” Gabby’s voice edged close to shrill.
    “I didn’t mean to offend your artist’s soul. But you must