With One Look Read Online Free

you see, and she did so love Shakespeare that she had me memorize all the major speeches long before I even knew a single psalm." She sensed rather than saw his smile. "Anyway, when Hamlet was first presented to me and I agonized over whether or not to keep him, the words of that famous speech flew to my mind: To be or not to be. I think it-quite determined my decision."
    The brief sketch held a curious piece of information. "Your mother was English?" "Oh, yes." She nodded. "Born and raised in London."
    He looked at her curiously. "Do you mind me asking why you were seated in the second
    tier?"

    The question appeared to surprise her. "Why, I am escorted by Monsieur Deubler. The
    senior Deubler often invites me to join him and his family, knowing how very much I love operas. And those are his season billing seats."
    More confused, Victor waited for her to clarify the point. The brief explanation gave no indication of her relationship to Monsieur Deubler except that she often joined him with his family. Was the man married or widowed? As liberal a society as New Orleans was, especially concerning a man's unmarried liaisons, surely if she was his mistress she would not be joining the family at the opera? The man must be widowed then....
    Those eyes were green, her skin whiter than fresh-fallen snow. She could not be a person of color. Then how did she manage to sit there? How could, she be the man's mistress if she was white?
    She offered nothing more. A thoughtful yet troubled expression came to her face and he asked: "Is it a very difficult decision?"
    The stranger's sensitivity startled her. "Yes, as a matter of fact," she answered. "Perhaps the most difficult decision I will ever make." Determination had entered her voice. "And I believe I have finally reached it."
    She would not take the holy vows. God forgive her but she couldn't. Not in good faith, which was the whole of the problem. Somehow she couldn't escape the doubts, the myriad of
    doubts and unanswerable questions. She believed in God absolutely, and yet the older she became and the more she understood, not only about herself and the world, but also about the diversity of other religions and dogmas, the more she had come to realize 'twould be an irredeemable mistake to speak the holy vows, that she could not do so with honesty.
    Father Nolte had said while hers was the most philosophically oriented mind he had ever had the pleasure of knowing in a woman, the question of the vows was a matter of heart. She must follow her heart. Somehow, in the deepest part of her soul, she felt, she hoped, there was another purpose for her....
    From his position above her, Victor found himself contemplating a far more earthly matter. The girl's obliqueness, the intrigue she presented; proved almost as maddening as the innocent lure of her beauty.
    He chuckled, pinching the bridge of his nose. If her age weren't warning enough, clearly she was already committed. The last thing he wanted was to end up in one of these ridiculous challenges or duels the men of New Orleans seemed ever anxious to initiate. He should return inside.
    Still, just in case she was about to end a liaison, he could hardly resist the next question: "Tell me, Miss Devon, will you be breaking someone's heart?"
    To his utter surprise she laughed at the question. "I certainly hope not!"
    He gave up. Victor glanced at the dogs and saw that they had separated. "Call Hamlet now, Miss Devon. I believe he might come."
    Jade straightened, appearing to look off in the general direction. "Ham," she called enthusiastically. "Here, boy! Come, Ham!"
    The dog looked over, then back at his playmate, who had laid down, panting from her exertions. The sweet sound of his mistress's voice won. He bounded excitedly over to Jade Terese. Loving hands came over his head as she scolded him gently, slipping her hand around an unusually short lead tied to his neck. The dog sat nobly then, gazing longingly at his female friend. Victor knew