Saving The Marquise's Granddaughter Read Free Page B

way up her back, pinching her with spiky fingers.
    “I cannot refuse his request.” Guillame’s proud voice pierced her heart.
    “Nor this opportunity?” She hit her mark—pink returned to his high cheekbones.
    Suzanne fought back the bile in her throat. This room seemed darker now, the candles lower, and the crowd ominous.
    “There are other solutions for you than marrying Etienne. Suzanne, he has come under his brother’s influence.”
    “He hasn’t.” Not yet, she hoped. “I love him, Grand-mère wished this marriage, and Maman and Papa have agreed.”
    Guillame’s black hair fell across his face as he bent to kiss her cheek. “I’ll be back. Look for me.” He strode off, his bearing already that of a general.
    Rubbing her arms from the chill she suddenly felt, she returned to Etienne, moving close enough to inhale his spicy fragrance.
    As the orchestra struck up a lively tune, Etienne pulled her onto the dance floor and into position. “You’re so petite; I can sweep you up off your feet in this minuet.”
    When their turn came to dance together, Etienne whirled her round instead of clasping hands. Her pinched toes thanked him as her feet floated above the dance floor. Crystal chandeliers adorned with hundreds of candles glittered overhead. Dizzy, she clung to Etienne. Time suspended as he held her in his arms above the floor. The onlookers applauded their altered version of the minuet steps but Suzanne’s knees trembled beneath her pantaloons.
    The music ended, and the musicians began to set their instruments aside.
    Etienne still held her aloft.
    “Release me, please,” she whispered.
    “Of course.” He lowered her with great care.
    She arched away so that she wouldn’t be dragged against his body.
    Etienne’s ragged breath, hot against her forehead, begged her to come closer.
    Dread whispered in her ear, He’s not the same—he doesn’t know you or your family, not really . One word from him and she and her family could all be killed.
    Etienne kissed her cheeks then transported her across the parquet floor’s fantastic, inlaid multicolored designs to a dark corner of the ballroom, near the wide wall of windows.
    Multiple shadowed figures touched in intimate ways. Such lewd behavior, and in a public place.
    She backed away but bumped into Etienne, effectively stopping her. Suzanne blinked to clear her vision. Outside, in the garden, the greenery had turned to blackness, punctuated by pinpoints of candlelight. She longed for its freshness. “I should go home soon.” How much longer until Guillame returned?
    The duo in front of them might make love right there on the brocade chaise. The couples on the other side of the windows were too involved in their own trysts to notice, or perhaps they wished an audience.
    Suzanne waved her fan near her chest and placed a tentative finger on the cool pearls.
    Etienne laughed. “The ball lasts all night, ma petite , even if their passion doesn’t.”
    That was all he had to say about this outrageous behavior? She had to get out of here, but he hadn’t yet given her his promise.
    Quelling the desire to confront him right there, she resigned to wait. She’d spent so little time with him in recent years, but she refused to believe this was his normal behavior. “Let’s get fresh air.” She would talk to him outside, under the cloudless sky.
    His damp hand covered hers as he thrust the glass door open and led her out to the gardens.
    A cool breeze blew away the fetid air and the sensation of filth.
    “Come with me—by the wall.” Etienne’s hand closed over hers like the clasp on a lock.
    A year ago, the image would have comforted her, but tonight her beloved friend seemed a stranger. The alteration likely resulted from the time he was spending with his brother. Once married, she’d keep him away from Pierre.
    Etienne smiled at her with the same sweet, reassuring expression he’d always used to talk her into mischief when they were children.