The Exiles Read Online Free Page B

lived!”
    Despain slumped down in his seat and pulled his hat down over his eyes while his wife continued to rebuke him. Finally he threw his hands up in a gesture of despair. “Well, how am I to know what to say and what not to say? I supposed that Cretien had told her about the house.”
    “Well, he obviously hadn’t. He was planning a surprise.” Margaret shook her head. “I’m glad you didn’t mention seeing Cretien having dinner with that actress. What’s her name?”
    “Nan Strickland.”
    “She’s nothing but a harlot. If I ever hear of you running around with harlots, I’ll see to it that you’re sorry!”
    “I’ve got no intention of running around with harlots, and you know it!” Charles protested. “And besides, you don’t know that Fontaine is guilty of anything—except indiscretion. He should know better than to be seen in public with a woman like that.”
    “Oh, you mean it’s all right in private?”
    “I give up. Have your own way.”
    “I’m worried about the Fontaines, Charles. Cretien is gambling a lot, and sometimes he doesn’t go home for days.”
    “It never pays to meddle in other people’s marriages. They have to take care of themselves. Let’s talk about something else.”
    Cretien came back excited, full of plans for buying the property next door to their plantation. Aimee, on the other hand, was quiet. She ate practically nothing of the excellent dinner, and when they moved into the drawing room, where Robert served them coffee and small cakes, she sat before the fire without saying a word.
    Cretien finally sat down and gave her an odd look. “What’s wrong, dear? You’ve hardly said a word.”
    “The Despains came by today.”
    “Yes, so you told me. I’m sorry I missed them.”
    Aimee turned to face him. “Charles told me that you bought a house in New Orleans.” She saw something like guilt sweep across her husband’s face, but he quickly recovered.
    “Blast the man! It was meant to be a surprise. A Christmas present for you.”
    “A Christmas present? You’re buying me a house for Christmas?”
    “Well, yes, and I’ve been dickering for months on the place.”
    “But why do we want a house in New Orleans when we have Fontaine Maison?”
    Cretien put his arms around his wife and drew her close. “For variety, sweet. I love this place as you do, but there’s so little to do here, especially in the winter. When we go to town we have to live in hotels, but now we can have the best of all worlds. It’s a small house, but so beautiful! Not like this place, of course, but comfortable. We can have guests there. We can go to the theater and then come home. You’ll love it.”
    Aimee listened as Cretien spoke. While his plan pleased him, it only made her anxious. She knew that her husband was not suited to the life of the city. He had weaknesses that he would have been shocked to know that she had discerned.
    But since the deed was done and impossible to avoid, Aimee made herself smile. “I’m sure I’ll love it, dear.”
    Cretien was pleased. He kissed her and waltzed her around the room. “We’ll go tomorrow, Aimee. I can’t wait to show it to you! We’ll be able to move next month.”
    Cretien’s eyes danced with excitement. Aimee knew he loved her, but she also knew that he was a selfish man. In her private moments, she had wondered many times if he had married her for her money.
    Aimee again forced a smile and said, “I can’t wait to see it, Cretien. I’m sure it will be very beautiful.”

Chapter four
    Aimee twisted so much in her chair that Elise exclaimed, “Madame, you are so jumpy! I cannot fix your hair.”
    Aimee looked into the mirror and gave a smile of pure joy. “I’m sorry, Elise. I just can’t seem to keep still today.”
    “You are very happy, madame. I am glad to see it.”
    Indeed, Elise was glad to see her mistress in such good spirits. Thinking back over the past few months, when they had first taken up residence in