Tender Fury Read Free

“One of my ships now lies at anchor at Brest awaiting word from me. I see no reason to delay the wedding as I am anxious to reach New…uh… Martinique.” He paused to ascertain whether anyone had noticed his slip of the tongue, and satisfied that no one had, continued, “The wedding shall take place in three days.” Not once did his eyes slide to the small, wilting figure in the gray habit.
    “The ceremony will take place in three days, at noon,” announced Gilbert. “My daughter will be ready.”
    “Bon!” answered Philippe. “I will send a messenger ahead informing the captain on the Windward to be ready to depart Brest the moment I arrive aboard with my bride.” Then suddenly remembering Gabby he turned his granite gaze in her direction. “Until then, Mademoiselle Gabrielle, adieu ,” he said before turning on his heel and striding from the room, leaving Gabby breathless and shaken.
    “How could you, Papa?” she exploded the moment Philippe was gone. “And you, Mama? How could you let Papa sell me to that insufferable man?”
    “We did no more than other parents would do for their children,” replied Lily who had grown quite bored with her daughter’s tantrums. “In these trying times we have done our best to provide for you. We can no longer remain in France to see to your welfare. You aren’t the only girl whose marriage has been arranged, and quite admirably, I might add.”
    “Come now,” cajoled her father, “there are worse things that could happen to a young girl than becoming the wife of a rich, important planter. One of them is hiding your beauty behind the walls of this convent.” His glittering eyes roamed freely over his daughter’s ripening figure. “I had no idea you had turned into such an enchanting creature. Mon Dieu, but St. Cyr is a lucky fellow!”
    Lily bristled with jealous indignation. She thought Gilbert much too preoccupied with his daughter’s looks. St. Cyr’s money had earned him the right to deflower the girl himself no matter what Gilbert’s intention.

Chapter Two
    Gabby shifted restlessly in her stiff satin wedding gown while the priest’s toneless words bound her for life to the stranger who stood beside her. Her own voice wavered nervously as she repeated the sacred vows that could never be broken. Philippe scowled darkly at the shudder that passed through her body at the moment they were pronounced man and wife. Surely this was a bad dream and she would wake up safe and sound in her narrow cot in the convent. How she hated Philippe’s arrogance, his possessiveness, his brooding good looks!
    Suddenly the silence around them pierced her brain. Without warning her husband’s hands were on her shoulders, pivoting her to face him. She turned ashen at his touch when she realized that Philippe was claiming the kiss that was now his by right of ownership. He had caught her unprepared with her mouth slightly open in surprise as he brushed his lips against hers. But when he felt the soft, warm breath escaping in frightened gasps from between her lips his cold reserve vanished for a moment as his kiss deepened and his darting tongue thrust fleetingly into her open mouth. Quickly gaining his composure once more, he abruptly released her, but not before scowling at her with a puzzled frown.
    Gabby was shocked by the kiss. Though she had not participated in it herself, she did not find it too unpleasant once she had gotten over the initial shock. Surely Philippe could not kiss her like that if he did not feel something for her, she thought naively. Raising her head, Gabby met his eyes and was shaken to her very depths by the look of pure animosity directed at her, as if he held her accountable for his unexpected show of emotion.
    Afterward Philippe led her into the small circle of servants and family friends hastily gathered for the occasion, but she was too numb to respond to their congratulations. Things had moved too fast for her. After all, this was only the