As Estelle stared at him in astonishment, the meal began with a flowery welcome by Princess Hortense, clearly the hostess for the evening—and no doubt, the person responsible for the seating arrangements as well. At the opposite end of the table, Valentin sat looking at her fromwhat felt so very far away, while Linette threw her a smile of silent encouragement.
Estelle wasn’t surprised she couldn’t summon a smile back. Instead, she stared at the gold-rimmed plate in front of her while the baron downed the rest of his sherry, the man’s warning ringing in her mind.
Steer clear of her if you can, my dear girl.
Would the baron even remember what he’d said to her comemorning, or for that matter from the rate at which he was drinking, by the end of the first course? She wasn’t so naïve that she didn’t understand what he had meant.
She was a parson’s daughter, albeit one with impeccable connections in English society, while Valentin was a royal prince. And though she hadn’t yet been introduced to those young women vying at that very moment to charm him withtheir smiles and sparkling conversation, Estelle could only imagine they had come from some of the finest houses in Europe as potential brides…oh, Lord,potential brides.
If she’d been walking on air that afternoon when she’d returned to her room, now she felt wholly deflated—until she looked up to find Valentin watching her from across the room.
His eyes intent upon her face, his expressioncarefully composed though she could see a tic working in his jaw that reminded her of when Robert had told him more guests and his half-sister had arrived at the castle.
Reminded her, too, of what Valentin had said to her with that same fierce intensity in his gaze.
You mustn’t let anything you see distress you. It’s all a game I must play, nothing more. Will you promise me?
Yes, she had promised,which made her swallow the unhappiness threatening to engulf her and smile brightly at him even as laughter trilled from a trio of feminine throats.
Even as Princess Hortense saw the reassuring look fly from Valentin to Estelle, the woman’s backbone clearly stiffening against her chair.
Undaunted, Estelle focused upon the steaming crab bisque ladled into the exquisite bone china soup platterplaced in front of her, determined to enjoy herself no matter that she’d been intentionally seated as far away from Valentin as possible.
She may not be as headstrong and outspoken as her sister Corie, but by God, Estelle had a backbone, too!
***
“I’m so sorry you had no one to talk to, well, other than that disagreeable man who had to be assisted from the table right before dessert wasserved.”
“Princess Hortense’s husband,” Estelle said to Linette with a small shudder, though she still felt sorry for the baron. To be married to such an imperious termagant as Valentin’s half-sister! How else would the poor man have borne it than drinking himself senseless? Sighing, she leaned forward and kissed Linette’s cheek. “Adam is waiting for you. Sleep well, dear sister.”
Linette nodded,covering a yawn with her palm as she left Estelle’s side and moved down the lamplit hall to the room she shared with her husband.
Alone for a few moments as Mattie had gone to fetch her a pitcher of hot water so she might bathe before bed, Estelle stepped into her room and shut the door behind her. Then she leaned upon the jamb with relief and shook her head.
Lord, what an interminable night,her only consolation that Valentin had rarely taken his eyes off her…much to Princess Hortense’s displeasure.
Those three noblewomen had apparently noticed his attention, too, their engaging smiles and flirtatious glances eventually becoming petulant stares though Estelle had done absolutely nothing to deserve them.
She had just sat there next to that wretched baron as he drank more and more,while she relished the sumptuous meal and of course, the exquisite dessert of chocolate-drizzled éclairs.
To her delight, Valentin had watched her savor each and every bite, his quiet smile warming her heart and making her long for when she might hear him laugh again. She had no doubt she would dream of him tonight—
“Estelle, open the door! We haven’t much time!”
Valentin!
Incredulous, herheart in her throat, she pulled open the door to find him glancing down the hallway and then back at her, his striking features half cast in shadow.
“May I come in? Only for a few moments before your maid returns—”
“Yes, yes, come in!” Estelle stepped back, Valentin so tall that he seemed to fill the threshold before entering and closing the door behind him.
Still so stunned that she couldbut stare at him, her hand pressed to her breast, her heartbeat racing beneath her fingertips, she didn’t know what to do first until she threw all caution to the wind and flew into his arms.
He caught her in an embrace as wild and impulsive, his mouth finding hers before either had a chance to draw breath. Had any kiss ever felt so unbelievably thrilling? Estelle knew somewhere in the back ofher mind that they must stop—should stop!—but after being separated all night at dinner and only able to stare at each other across the crowded room…
“Estelle…Estelle,” he murmured against her lips, crushing her against him. Yet all too soon, he lifted his head to look at her in the flickering lamplight, his gaze as intently honed upon her face as she’d seen it.
