A Sister's Quest Read Free

“Good evening.”
    â€œWait!” Michelle set herself on her feet. “My lord, I am interested.” She waited for the second thoughts to taunt her, but her heart beat with anticipation. Maman would have taken this chance to see a new city. She must, too.
    â€œIs that so?” His eyes lost their icy edge. “I rather thought you might. However, there remains the problem that I must leave tomorrow morning.”
    â€œThe term is nearly over.” She could not relinquish this possibility of adventure now. “Frau Herbart will, I am sure, allow me to leave a few days early.”
    He smiled at the headmistress again. “Is that so?”
    â€œIt is possible,” Frau Herbart replied, lowering her teacup to her lap.
    He held out his hand. “We are in agreement then, Fraulein D’Orage. You will, of course, be offered a fair salary. I assume you can be ready to leave at dawn.”
    â€œI shall be waiting then.” She put her hand in his.
    His fingers closed over hers and, trapped by his strong hand, she could not flee. But did she want to? She was not sure as he stepped closer and lifted her hand to his mouth. Green fire from his eyes seared her, seeming to see far too much when she could discern far too little. She feared she was face-to-face with the devil, who had tricked her into this covenant that would fulfill her dreams and cost her her soul.
    â€œI look forward to your joining me on this journey, Fraulein,” he murmured.
    His warm breath brushed her hand in the moment before his lips did. When his mustache grazed her skin, ripples of pleasure rushed outward from his touch and spiraled deep within her. He raised his head, and she tried to cloak her reaction, but he must have sensed it through her quivering fingers. Nothing he had done went beyond the boundaries of propriety. Yet his smile dared her to denounce him.
    She should tell him she had changed her mind. She should tell him it was inappropriate for her to travel with him to Vienna, even if she were in his employ. She should … She saw his amusement. He really might be the devil if he could gauge her thoughts with such ease.
    â€œUntil tomorrow, Fraulein D’Orage.” He slid his fingers from around hers. The lingering caress was as intimate as a feverish kiss.
    â€œYes,” she whispered like a student reciting her lessons, “until tomorrow.”
    When Michelle heard the door close, she flinched. It was too late to call after him now. By accepting his offer, she was entering a world populated by her nation’s enemies. The men meeting in Vienna were eager to carve out the largest share of Europe for themselves. They would use anything or anyone to achieve their ends. She did not doubt that Count Alexei Vatutin would be their match.
    The only difference was that he might be using Michelle D’Orage.

Chapter Two
    Frau Herbart put a hand on Michelle’s arm. “Please sit. I have something you must see before you leave with Count Vatutin tomorrow.”
    Michelle perched on a chair and folded her hands in her lap. How could she have been so skimble-skamble as to accept an offer of employment from a stranger? Frau Herbart must have checked into the count’s background before she allowed him to speak with Michelle. That would explain why she had been prepared with tea for this visit.
    How astonished the other teachers would be to hear of her plans! Mayhap as astonished as she was that she could not wait to begin the journey across the Alps.
    Frau Herbart returned with a small package. The headmistress sat where Count Vatutin had and held it out without speaking.
    Michelle untied the strings around the brown paper to discover a small box and another package wrapped in linen. She opened the box and stared at a gold ring on a piece of black velvet. An odd design decorated one side. Her fingernail traced the lightning bolt.
    â€œYour mother requested that you be given this when you