A Daughter's Destiny Read Online Free Page B

A Daughter's Destiny
Book: A Daughter's Destiny Read Online Free
Author: Jo Ann Ferguson
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Evan. Have you forgotten what he asked me this afternoon?” She hated lying, but she did not want to see anyone, even Evan Somerset, sent to prison. She had heard too many stories of the horror of the Bastille.
    â€œThis afternoon?” Her eyes narrowed.
    Evan stepped forward, took the old woman’s hand, and bowed over it. “ Bon après-midi, madame. Je voudrais —”
    â€œDo not try to charm me by speaking French, young man.” A smile tipped her lips. “However, you do speak it well for an Englishman.”
    â€œA friend taught me well.”
    â€œA friend? A friend like Brienne?”
    Amusement glittered in his eyes. “A very different type of friend, madame. I should have said a business acquaintance.”
    â€œI shall not ask what business that was.”
    â€œA wise decision.”
    With a chuckle, Grand-mère turned to Brienne. “We still have much to discuss before I allow you to mix up your life with such a scoundrel, ma petite .” She did not give Brienne a chance to answer as she added to Haviland, “I trust you have suspects to capture and be tried for this crime against us, sir.”
    The watchman opened his mouth, then clamped it closed as he strode out of the salon. The door crashed behind him, rattling the gilded glass.
    â€œGood riddance,” Evan said with a return of his smile. Bowing his head, he said, “Evan Somerset, madame—”
    â€œI am Yvonne LeClerc, Monsieur Somerset. I owe you a debt of gratitude for coming to my granddaughter’s rescue.”
    â€œToo late, I fear.”
    Brienne stepped back to keep her grandmother from examining her face. “I am fine, Grand-mère. ’Tis nothing. Thank you for your help, Mr. Somerset. I regret that your hat was ruined. However, I assume you came back because you are still interested in the vase.”
    â€œThe vase?” He caught her hands in his. “What about the vase?”
    Before she could answer, Grand-mère said, “I hear your mother’s bell, Brienne. Go and let her see that you are safe.”
    â€œMaman has not rung. She—” The distant sound of a handbell contradicted her. “I will return quickly. We have much to do if we plan to reopen tomorrow night.”
    â€œTomorrow night?” Mr. Somerset asked. “How can you expect to clean this up in such a short time?”
    â€œBecause we have to. Mr. Somerset, if you would be so kind as to wait.”
    â€œOf course, Miss LeClerc.” Evan laughed as Brienne glanced at him, surprise again in her expressive eyes, as he addressed her as formally as she had him. When she rushed out of the room, he smiled at her grandmother. “I trust I may wait here?”
    â€œYou may, although you may have to wait a while. If my daughter is distraught, Brienne will have to calm her.”
    â€œDaughter?” He swallowed the rest of his question as the old woman arched a single snowy brow. If Brienne’s surname was LeClerc as was her maternal grandmother’s, that suggested Brienne was the product of an illicit union. Mayhap Brienne had inherited some of that ungovernable passion. No, he had no time for such enticing thoughts. He had to get that vase, not imagine delighting in the innocent fire on her lips.
    â€œLucile is not well, Monsieur Somerset.”
    â€œI am sorry to hear that.” He looked around the room. “And this will not help.”
    â€œDo you always exhibit such a gift for understatement?” She lowered herself to a chair. “I was right. You are a scoundrel.”
    â€œYou are insightful, madame.”
    â€œMy eyes are clearest with matters concerning my granddaughter. From what Brienne said, I assume you called earlier.”
    â€œYes.”
    She shook her head and sighed. “I fear this cool, subdued English climate has washed away Brienne’s joie de vie . She thinks solely of the salon.”
    â€œMadame, I assure you

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