Forbidden (The Gabriel Lennox Series Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

some peculiar reason, she just hasn’t developed the docile and sweet heart of your English ladies.” He sighed and gave a pained smile. “ Mais oui , didn’t you say that you were on your way? We’d hate to keep you,” he added, his deep blue eyes widening with what looked like hope. Certainly, hope that Gabriel would leave.
    “But he hasn’t formally met the other musicians,” Genevieve protested, glancing around. Her eyes were blue too, but tinged with a pale green.
    “You can meet the other musicians later,” Michel retorted. “I’m afraid that Adele and Louis have wandered off somewhere.”
    “I hope that my sister isn’t alone with the Whitechapel murderer on the loose. Sometimes, she can be so empty-headed.”
    Michel looked at his wife, sudden tenderness in his eyes. “Don’t fret. There haven’t been any murders for weeks. Adele will be fine. Remember, Louis is with her.”
    Genevieve covered her mouth with the fan, maybe to hide an unladylike look, for the words that came out were anything but lovely. And even though the curses were uttered in the romantic French tongue, they still didn’t sound pretty to Gabriel’s trained ears.
    “With Louis, eh?” she asked in English. “She might as well be alone then. He’s such a daydreamer. My fears have been confirmed.” Bowing her head, she shut the fan with a sharp flick of her wrist. Her pink lips pressed into a grimace. “I must go and find her.” She curtsied slightly to them and marched away.
    Michel watched her go and returned his attention to Gabriel. “My wife,” he began, chuckling softly, “is quite the, er  . . . spitfire.”
    Gabriel nodded politely. “The night is young and beautiful. I’m certain that your friends are safe.” He bowed at the waist. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.” He bowed again before walking past them and into the garden of statues and flowers under the silhouetted trees and white, twinkling stars. He lingered there for some time staring at the statues. He gazed at the statue of a lovely woman, a mixture of innocence and seduction, obviously a metaphor. But for what? Power? Love? When he started caressing her hard, cold, unmoving face, he knew that it was time to go for a walk and clear his mind.
    He slipped through the wrought-iron gate and strolled down the cobblestone street. His shadow served as his only companion, weaving and gliding along.
    Gabriel heard the echo of a shoe against the cobblestone street from behind him. He tried not to think of what lurked in the shadows. However, if any person or creature was fool enough to attack him, they would be in for an unpleasant surprise.
    Something caught his attention, causing him to draw up short, as shock froze him in midstride. Though he stood still, his shadow continued moving and growing wider, like a black hole stretching to pull him in.

CHAPTER 4
Obligations
    “HE HAS THE FACE of a philanderer,” Genevieve remarked to her sister, concerning her young husband. The two fell silent as Genevieve mused upon Michel’s face.
    He had the most amazing hair. In the evenings, he would awake, often from a drunken stupor and neglect his locks, and his hair simply fell back into large, lustrous, strong curls. His lashes, too, were perfect and thick. His classical nose straight and narrow with a slight, adorable curve, looked perfect, too. His mouth, soft and sensual, had kissed many girls (before her) and most likely made them weep with joy.
    The face of a love god.
    Adele shook her head in bewilderment. “Michel is a romantic, Genevieve. A gentleman. Does that not please you?”
    “As romantic as a derelict,” she replied.
    “Michel is beautiful inside and out, sister. You’re lucky to be his wife. He adores you.”
    “ Mon Dieu ! He has the face of an effeminate bore. Such men are conceited. If I wanted a face as pretty as mine, all I need do is look into the mirror.” Genevieve knew that her features served as her strongest assets. She used them to