Hearts Under Siege (Civil War Collection) Read Online Free Page A

practicing law in New Orleans when the war broke out. I have many friends who speak French.”
    “I see,” she said, frowning . A Yankee officer in South Louisiana.
    “Do you find that odd?”
    “Yes. Nonetheless, Captain Thom—Thomas, I insist on thanking you properly.” She brought her hand out from beneath the blanket and held it out to him. “Please come by my home, Chene Ruelle, across the river, as soon as possible so that my grandfather and I may express our gratitude by having you for dinner.”
    Thomas’s lips tugged upward in the beginnings of a smile. “I would be honored, Miss Alexandra, though just being in your company is more than payment enough,” he said, taking her hand in his. His hand was large and gentle.
    She gasped and jerked her fingers out of his grasp. “How did you know my name?”
    “Everyone in New Orleans knows of Chene Ruelle. You can be none other than Alexandra Champagne, granddaughter of Ernest Dumon.”
    For a Yankee, he knew far too much about not only her country, but about her.
    “How could you do it?” she asked, looking into those deep blue eyes reflecting the flicker of muted candlelight.
    “Do what?”
    “How could you take up arms and fight against your friends?”
    “It’s a decision I make several times a day. Each day it grows harder as I witness the endless death and horror of it all.”
    Their gazes locked, and time ceased to exist. She could sense his restraint beneath his calm exterior. Yet she wasn’t afraid of him. In fact, she was drawn to him…
    “I appreciate your kindness,” she said, taking hold of herself. “But I have to find my brother, Jeffy. He was on the steamboat.”
    “Your brother? That’s why you were out there alone?” He gestured toward the door with his hand.
    “No, I was alone because those animals murdered my servant. My brother’s out there, and I have to find him.” She threw back the blanket and placed her feet on the floor, gritty even beneath her shoes.
    “Alexandra,” he said, grasping her arm. “It’s dark outside. You might make more progress in the morning and endanger yourself less. Besides…”
    “No, he could be injured. He could die before morning.”
    “Ma petite, your dress leaves you in no condition to go out.”
    Looking down at her exposed chemise, her breasts straining against the thin material, her hands tugged at the shreds of cotton as she tried to pull his jacket closed around her.
    “Sir, you are no gentleman to be looking.”
    “I’m not looking,” he said, his eyes on hers, gently smoothing her hair away from her face, and trailing a finger beneath her chin. “However, those men could be lurking about outside. And I, for one, don’t wish to go through that again.” He deftly reached down and buttoned his jacket over her breasts.
    Heat rushed to her cheeks, but she chose to ignore his action and her racing pulse.
    “I have to find him.”
    “We’ll find him, chérie.”
    “He’s alive. I know he is,” she said, and tears trickled down her cheeks.
    “Shh.” Thomas pulled her close and held her.
    “Do you believe me? Will you help me find him?”
    “We’ll find him. He’ll be all right.”
    She pulled back, and blinking through the tears, looked into his eyes. “Do you really think he’s alive?”
    “Do you believe it?”
    “Yes.”
    “How do you know?”
    “Because he’s my brother. My twin. If something happened to him, I would know it.”
    “Then together we’ll find him. At first light. I give you my promise.”
    Her lips formed a faint smile.
    His face was so close that his breath touched her skin. He was a handsome man, but it was his eyes that drew her to him. Even in the dim moonlight, they were clear and sparkling. Drowning in the intensity of his gaze, she couldn’t pull away, yet she sensed that he could devour her with a mere touch.
    He moved even closer. His breath caressed her skin, and a shiver ran up her spine. He was so close that she could feel his