Sweet Piracy Read Free Page A

the style known as “welcoming arms.” Bareheaded, he displayed a mop of brown hair, sun-bleached already to an auburn hue. His shirt sleeves were rolled to his elbows, and above the tops of his muddy boots his breeches appeared to be stained with river water. In one grimy hand was his white cravat, containing what looked to be a collection of plump purple dewberries.
    M’sieur Philippe raised the quizzing glass he wore on a ribbon at his lapel.  Leveling it at Theo’s breeches, he drawled, “I apprehend, sir, that you have been wading in the river — again.”
    Theo agreed without a sign of repentance. “Anyone care for a dewberry?”
    “The most famous thing has happened, Theo,” Estelle said, absently taking a berry. “We are to have a marquis for a neighbor.”
    “I know,” Theo said.
    “You know?” his sister repeated.
    “Heard it a week ago. A real swell. Has a whole ship full of prime stuff, anchored out in the river waiting for all the legal business to be over with. Has a phaeton with a high perch and yellow wheels, and four of the sweetest goers you ever saw to pull it. Bought them in England, they say. Must be rich as a nabob to do that. Won’t Anatole be green?”
    The tutor looked pained. “Your language is shocking, Theo. One can only surmise you have been associating with riffraff again.”
    A grave expression descended on Theo’s snub-nosed face. “I do crave pardon, M’sieur. ‘Twas only Jack, the son of the overseer at Felicity. Did you wish to join me in my rambles instead? Shall I awaken you when I leave the house in the morning? I do not plan to be at the river until just before the sun rises.”
    “No, no! I would not deprive you of companionship your own age,” the tutor said, barely suppressing a shudder. “It would not be — that is, I would not dream of intruding.”
    “Jack is a good man to have about. He may not know the river as I do, but he’s a great hand with horses.”
    “Very interesting, I’m sure,” M’sieur Philippe said, taking out his handkerchief and waving it languidly at a fly buzzing about, attracted by the sticky, sweet berries. “I believe we can wait to hear about your friend until after you have made yourself more presentable.”
    “As you wish, M’sieur.” Theo inclined his head, completely unperturbed as he turned to do his tutor’s bidding.
    “Wait!” Estelle cried. “You haven’t finished telling us about the Marquis.”
    “What else is there to tell?” Theo inquired, popping the rest of the dewberries into his mouth and wiping his hands on his shirt. “Anyway, you’ll see soon enough. They expect him at Felicity within the week.”
    As Theo disappeared into the house, Estelle let out her pent-up breath. “Odious boy,” she said, then promptly forgot him. “There is so little time. Maman must be persuaded to increase our wardrobes, and you must help me see to it, Amélie. She will do it for you. Next to seeing you take the veil as a nun, she would like to see you take a noble husband to wed.”
    “You know I have no ambition in that direction,” Amélie protested.
    “Yes I do, but it can’t hurt to pretend, can it?”
    “You still have no idea of the man’s circumstances,” Caroline said, a warning tone in her voice. “For all you know, he may have a wife waiting on board ship with his furnishings.”
    “It doesn’t signify in the least,” Estelle replied with an airy wave of her hand. “Married or no, there are sure to be fêtes of every sort given to make him welcome. It can’t hurt to be prepared.”
    “ Maman may be resting,” Amélie protested as her sister started toward the door.
    “Isn’t she always?” Estelle asked, and turned into the dim interior.
    The tutor got to his feet. “I am desolate to leave you, Mademoiselles, but one must place duty before pleasure, n’est-ce pas ? I go to prepare a lesson worthy of young M’sieur Theo. A tout à I’heure.”
    His bow was a masterpiece of style. Watching