Amour: Historical Romance (Passion and Glory Book 1) Read Free Page B

remembered with chagrin.
    “Thank you for your explanation, Monsieur , but I fear it is I who must now ask for your forgiveness…for my unpardonable behavior toward you.”
    “You would need to have committed a fault, Mademoiselle la Vicomtesse, to require my forgiveness. I have no cause to reproach you. On the contrary, I feel I must offer my own apology for the awkward manner of our introduction. I have just returned from boarding school in France. My manners and speech appear to have suffered from having been too long with gentlemen of arms for company and exercise. Please be assured that I feel toward you, only the most sincere admiration and respect—sentiments which I have somehow succeeded in…expressing so very badly.”
    The gallant and contrite nature of the chevalier’s apology was met with the first genuine smile of warmth from the vicomtesse.
    “You are very kind to be so indulgent with me, Monsieur. Again, I thank you. May I inquire, however, as to how you came to find yourself here? This is my uncle’s private library, you see. Which is why I was so startled to see you. No one is allowed in without his permission. Not even me.”
    The chevalier gestured in the direction of the room across the hall, lifting a long and thickly sinewed arm to make his point.
    “I was shown to the adjoining sitting room by the steward at the behest of Madame de Salvagnac, while my father and brother were received downstairs in a separate salon. The steward said I was to remain where I was until someone came to retrieve me, but I found the door to this library ajar and couldn’t help coming in for a look. I’ve always been a bit of a bookworm you see, though I might not look the part. If such a delightful place is indeed proscribed, then I must consider myself more than fortunate it was you and not someone else who found me here.”
    The vicomtesse twisted her hands with anxiety.
    “I see, Monsieur. Thank you for your explanation, but I’m afraid we really shouldn’t be discovered here. My uncle might only be annoyed but my aunt will be undeniably vexed with us both.”
    “I am your knight to command and shall do as you bid me, Mademoiselle. But if I must now return to my place of exile, I beg my banishment be only from this place and not from your company,” the chevalier pleaded.
    The vicomtesse weighed the matter of remaining unchaperoned with the chevalier, against the rigid strictures which governed relations between men and any eligible girl of marriageable age. The proper thing to do was to excuse herself at once and return to the supervised company of her governess. Though it was a solution full of good sense, it seemed the least interesting thing to do, and she was in the mood for a little adventure. The chevalier was a gentleman after all. His word and his actions could be trusted.
    “I should be honored if you would keep me company, Monsieur le Vicomte.”
    “I am most grateful, Mademoiselle. I thank you for being as gracious and obliging as you are beautiful.”
    The vicomtesse’s smile gave Nicolas the hope that they could begin their acquaintance again on more genial terms. He offered the vicomtesse his arm and escorted her to an ornate chaise longue on the far side of the room near the windows, admiring her poise as she lowered herself with grace onto the long seat, despite the considerable encumbrance of her skirts. He placed himself a step behind the chaise in respectful attendance.
    “Are you comfortable enough, Mademoiselle la Vicomtesse? Might I bring you another pillow?”
    “I am quite comfortable, thank you, Monsieur. And my name is Sérolène. Sérolène Adélaïde Isabelle de Saint-Giresse de La Bouhaire.”
    She extended her hand for him to kiss. Nicolas pressed his lips against the soft skin, just above the second line of knuckles, pleased that Sérolène wore no gloves and he could feel the softness of her flesh against his own.
    “I am honored to make your acquaintance, Mademoiselle