Heaven Scent Read Online Free Page A

trusted Le Fantome with his life. He pulled the worn, navy cashmere jumper he always wore out riding over his dark hair and breathed in the stable’s pungent aroma of straw, manure and excited horses. It cleared his head and calmed him, the way it always did. He had found other ways to relieve his stress over the past couple of years but this was legal and far safer than his other hobbies.
    ‘What do you think Olivier’s wife will be like?’ Seraphina wondered aloud, hoping to distract Max’s dark mood. She smiled as her horse Coco, named after her heroine Coco Chanel, came to the stable door and nuzzled her hand.
    Max shrugged, his mouth twisting scornfully. ‘Who cares? She’s probably just some bimbo who found out how much Olivier was worth and made him marry her somehow.’ Inserting a foot into a stirrup, he smoothly mounted his horse.
    Seraphina looked unconvinced as she hoisted a saddle on to Coco’s back and quickly did up the straps. ‘I can’t imagine how anyone could have persuaded Olivier to do anything he didn’t want to do.’ She couldn’t help feeling sorry for Olivier’s bride; not only had she lost her new husband within weeks of marrying him, she now had the Ducasse family to contend with. And they were a force to be reckoned with, Seraphina thought grimly. The ones that were left, anyway. Suddenly overcome with sadness, she cast her eyes to the ground to hide her tears.
    Max slipped off his horse and put his hand on her shoulder. ‘Stop that, will you? You can’t let this get to you . . . you just can’t.’
    ‘I know, I know. I’m trying to be strong.’ Seraphina’s shoulders shook as tears slid down her cheeks. ‘It’s just . . . losing Mother . . . and now Olivier . . . it’s too much.’
    Max felt despair wash over him. What did she want from him? Why did she keep crying like this? Max felt sorry for his sister but he didn’t know how to deal with her unhappiness.
    ‘Let’s ride,’ he said roughly, pushing her towards her horse. He remounted his and kicked his heels against Le Fantome’s flanks. ‘Catch me up!’ he shouted as he cantered towards the Ducasse family lavender fields.
    Quickly wiping her tears away, Seraphina jumped up on to Coco’s back and headed after her twin. If Max could cope with Olivier’s death without shedding a tear, then so must she.
     
    With the assurance of a seasoned player, Xavier tossed his remaining poker chips on to the table and flipped his hand over. It was a royal flush, with spades – the perfect hand. There was a ripple of applause from the watching crowds but Xavier shook his head modestly. He might be a good bluffer but he couldn’t take credit for the luck of the cards. Thank God he didn’t have Olivier’s penchant for gambling; as fun as it was, everyone knew the house always won in the end so it was a mug’s game unless it was a casual pastime.
    Rather like relationships, Xavier thought ironically. Fun was paramount – these days, anyway. He had long since given up serious dating. Just like gambling, it was only for the self-deluded, in his opinion. Catching the eye of a slinky brunette he had dated a few times, Xavier gave her an appraising once-over, wondering how on earth her low-cut satin dress was managing to contain her impressive breasts.
    ‘You are a better poker player than your cousin, Monsieur Ducasse,’ Gaston, the owner of the casino, said in a discreet aside. He nodded at the croupier to pay out, standing beside Xavier with his hands behind his back. ‘Olivier’s death is undoubtedly a great loss. My bottom line will suffer enormously in the long run.’ He smiled genially.
    ‘I think we both know you’ll be far better off without Olivier wrecking the joint every Friday night, Gaston,’ Xavier commented.
    Gaston inclined his head politely. Olivier had rarely left the establishment quietly and usually it had been with the assistance of the casino’s security staff. Xavier Ducasse, however, was a