“You’ve been so patient to wait for her. You must love her very much.”
“You know I do, Cybi, I always have, but I admit it’s been a long wait. In fact,” he said, glancing at the watch he’d pulled from his waistcoat pocket, “more than an hour!”
Cybelle laughed and pushed him toward the head of the grand staircase.
“Go on down and I’ll see what’s keeping her. Go on.”
Richard obediently descended the stairs and met Raymond on his way to the ballroom.
The Marquis was a handsome man, as tall as Richard and his shoulders nearly as broad. The silver hair at his temples reminded Richard of his doubts about his sister marrying a man twenty-seven years her senior. He was very glad things had worked out so well.
“Richard.” Raymond greeted him with a slight bow. “Where’s your lovely young lady?”
“I was just wondering the same thing myself, but your wife has promised to send her down. By the way, I hear congratulations are in order.”
“Yes, thank you. We’re awfully pleased about it. I must confess though, I’m hoping the next one will be a boy.”
“I’m sure Cybi’s doing all she can to see that it is.”
They both laughed. Then Raymond spotted Christina and Cybelle at the top of the stairs. Richard turned, following his gaze.
Christina hesitated. Her knees were shaking just a little and she could feel the color flooding her cheeks when Richard turned to look up at her. But when he smiled, she recovered her confidence.
The pale green silk of her gown with its pink roses set off her delicate skin to perfection. Richard took a deep breath. How could he be so fortunate?
Raymond watched Richard as he, in turn, watched Christina. He shook his head and laid a fatherly hand on the young man’s shoulder.
“Enjoy her while you can,” he said in a low confidential voice. “They’re so quickly spoiled.”
Richard paid little attention to the remark. All his thoughts were on Christina. He met her at the bottom of the stairs, taking her hand and bowing over it as his lips gently brushed her knuckles.
Christina was aware of all the young women who had eyes only for Richard when the two of them joined the party. And no wonder, she thought, he looked magnificent in his suit of dark grey silk. She knew his lavishly embroidered waistcoat, so uncharacteristic for him, was a concession to her. She also noticed that the lace at his throat and wrists was that which she’d made for him last winter
The young women continued to eye the Baron’s son, whispering behind their fans as he and Christina made their way through the crowd. Some of them even greeted him as they passed, and while he was unfailingly polite in his replies, Christina was ever-conscious of the pressure of his hand on hers where she clung to his arm.
The grand ballroom at the château was a wonderland of shimmering, glittering light. The hundreds of candles in the huge chandeliers illuminated the thousands of crystals that hung from them and reflected endlessly in the mirrors lining the walls which, in turn, echoed the images of the brilliantly attired guests. The center of the floor was crowded with dancers, the whole room a mass of scintillating color.
“Richard,” Christina whispered as she moved closer to him in the intricate steps of the minuet. “Thank you.”
“For what, my love?”
“For tonight. You’ve made me very happy.”
Richard laughed as they passed each other again.
“Why are you laughing?” she asked, a frown marring her perfect beauty and causing Richard to smile even more broadly.
“Forgive me, I thought you’d guessed that I had something special for you, something to help you remember tonight.” The last words were spoken softly as they parted once again, but Christina looked at him, and nearly lost her place.
They were separated for several minutes. When they finally came back together, the dance ended.
“Richard! What do you mean? Have you brought me something?
“Why, of course. I brought myself home in time to escort you to the social event of the season, didn’t I?”
He had a habit of teasing her, and she was feeling much too grown up tonight to let him get away with it. She took a deep breath and pretended to straighten a fold of her gown as she composed herself.
Richard could see her emotions clearly as she struggled to conceal her curiosity.
“You’re right, of course,” she said smiling sweetly. “There’s nothing on this earth that could please me more.” That was true.
“Are you sure?”
“Do you doubt me, Monsieur?” She fluttered her eyelashes at him, just as she had in the garden.
Richard shook his head in amazement. Christina was growing up.
“Never,” he replied, raising his right hand, conceding the truth of her remark. “Would you do me the honor of walking outside with me?”
Christina curtsied slightly as she took his arm. They said nothing as they passed through the open doors and out onto the broad terrace that ran the full length of the ballroom and on around the far end of the central portion of the château.
They passed several other couples along the balustrade and moved on until they found a spot where they could be alone. For a minute, neither of them said anything, they just stood quietly, looking out at the Rhône, the dark water shimmering beneath the illumination of the full moon.
Christina felt sure she was finally leaving her childhood behind. Here she was on the balcony of the Marquis’s château with the boy she loved, the boy she would marry in just a few more years. Perhaps, on this terribly special night when she was feeling so very grown up, she had reason to hope he might kiss her. She felt a little flutter of expectation just below her heart, not at all unlike the flutter she invariably felt before a performance for the Conservatorio.
“What are you thinking?” she asked when she realized he was staring at her.
He smiled. “I was just wondering if, now that you’re so grown up, you’ll be casting me aside in favor of the first handsome young man who comes to court you.”
Christina started to respond honestly, horrified Richard might think her capable of such a thing, then remembered her resolve to rise above his teasing, if only for tonight. Instead, she managed to look up at him in surprise.
“A young woman must pick and choose among her suitors very carefully,” she said slowly. “Afterall, I rarely see you anymore, you’re so busy on the ships. I must have some distractions, you know.”
Richard laughed out loud at her almost convincing performance. He slipped his arms around her.
“Dear Heart, I fear you’ve spent too much time at the Opera with that Conservatorio of yours. You’re becoming quite an actress!”
Christina was enjoying the closeness as her hands pressed against his chest, but she was determined to keep up her end of the ruse.
“But Monsieur, what makes you think I’m acting? Isn’t it true that you leave me too much alone?”
Richard became very serious. “It is true,
Mon Coeur
, but I’m afraid it’s necessary. Very soon we’ll be spending the rest of our lives together.” His fingers moved to her cheek. “You do know how very much I miss you when I’m away, don’t you, Chrissa?”
It was time to give it up. “Don’t ever stop loving me, Richard,” she said softly. “I couldn’t bear it.”
“You’ll never have to, Beloved.” His lips brushed the top of her head.
Christina leaned against him, fingering the elaborate embroidery on the front of his waistcoat. She felt something lumpy in his pocket.
“What do you have in your pocket?”
“In my pocket?” Richard smiled. “Why, only my watch.”
“Not there, here.” She pressed the rough spot with the tips of her fingers.
“Hmmm…I don’t remember putting anything in there.”
Christina caught on immediately. “Perhaps some trifle for one of your many young ladies?”
“Perhaps…but since I only have one young lady, it must be for you.”
Christina laughed and stood on her tiptoes in an effort to look into the high pocket. When that was unsuccessful, she slipped her fingers in and withdrew a length of woven gold set with colored stones.
“Richard!” she squealed, “Is it the acrostic bracelet, the one you promised?” Her eyes went from the shimmering stones to his.
“I did promise, didn’t I?”
She couldn’t contain her excitement. Acrostic jewelry was all the rage and every girl longed to have one of the love tokens from her sweetheart.
“Well, what does it say?”
“See if you can guess.”
Christina lifted the bracelet so that some of the light from the ballroom was reflected on the stones. Richard reached out and turned it in her hand so that she held it by the clasp. Christina fingered the first stone, a pale green one.
“Is it a sapphire?” she asked.
Richard shook his head.
“Beryl, then?”
“Yes. It signifies ‘happiness in store.’”
The second stone was easily identified. “Then emerald.” She looked at Richard for confirmation and he nodded again.
“‘Much to look forward to.’”
The next one was easy, one of Christina’s favorites. “Then lapis.”
“Right again. ‘Faithful love.’”
The next stone was black and she knew it for onyx.
“‘A happy marriage,’” he whispered, wishing their wedding day wasn’t so far away.
The next link in the bracelet was of intricately designed metal.“Gold?”
“Vermeil. It signifies ‘two souls bound together.’”
Again a brilliant green emerald slid between her fingers. “Emerald, again.”
Richard nodded.
The last stone was a sparkling little diamond.
“Diamond,” she said.
“‘Victory over enemies,’ though I can’t imagine you have any of those to worry about.”
Christina slid her fingers over the length of the bracelet once again, repeating the first letters of the stones. “B-E-L-O-V-E-D.”
Richard took it from her and fastened it around her wrist. Still holding her hand, he kissed her fingers and then her cheek.
“To remember tonight.”
Christina put her arms around him, hugging him as tightly as she could. Everything was perfect. Just as their life together would be.
Absolutely perfect.
But Richard and Christina were by no means the only couple locked in an embrace on the balcony of the château that romantic night.
“Monsieur!” Sylvie exclaimed as she struggled in Guy’s arms.
He loosened his grip on her waist, but only slightly. His smile was difficult for the girl to interpret in the moonlight. She was a little frightened.
“
Ma petite
, what is it? It was you, was it not, who suggested we come out onto the balcony? Do you now wish me to believe you only wanted to enjoy the evening air?”
Guy was very skillful with the young ladies. Being twenty, he was old enough to think about marriage. His father was part of a very successful business partnership, a prime consideration as far as the girls of Provence—and their mothers—were concerned. That he didn’t seem to be steadily interested in any one girl made him all the more intriguing.
Sylvie smiled coyly and relaxed a little, thinking she’d misinterpreted his advance.
“Monsieur, I thought this might give us a chance to get to know each other a little better.” The resistance went out of her arms and she fingered the bow at the back of his neck, but found herself looking past his shoulder to avoid the disconcerting intensity of his pale blue eyes.
“Mademoiselle, is that not what I’m endeavoring to do?”
“Perhaps, but if that’s truly the case, then I think you’re a bit too earnest in your endeavors.”
Guy threw back his head and laughed, but there was a harsh edge to the sound. Sylvie was not completely reassured.
“I am yours to command, Mademoiselle,” he said with great sincerity.
She looked at him, not quite trusting him, yet unwilling to part from such an intriguing and good looking young gentleman.
Difficult as it was, Guy waited, holding himself in check until she made the next move. Finally, she smiled and leaned forward to kiss him. This time he went more slowly, carefully letting Sylvie set the pace, and as her trust in him increased, she became more bold.
It was a mistake.
When Guy sensed the change, he was suddenly overwhelmed with a wave of disgust. He masked it well as his mouth left hers to begin a slow trail of kisses down her neck, and across her throat.
This was closer to what sixteen year old Sylvie had imagined. To be at the biggest party of the season, enjoying a dalliance with a very eligible young man, was the culmination of her fantasies from the entire summer. She leaned into Guy’s embrace, arching her back and letting her head fall back as she offered up the pale skin above her
décolleté
to his questing lips.
Guy smiled as his mouth moved lower. He ran his tongue over the curve of the top of her breast and then between the lace of her bodice and her skin, just enough to flick at her nipple. Sylvie, swept away on a tide of pleasurable sensation embellished by her very active imagination, sighed. Guy looked up and when he saw the ecstatic expression on her face, he abruptly sank his teeth into the soft flesh of her breast.
Sylvie shrieked and pulled away from him, stunned as she looked down at the deep red marks on her skin. Guy laughed at her outraged expression.
“You bastard!” she howled as she slapped his face. Her eyes filled with tears as she ran back along the balcony and in through the nearest set of open doors. The other couples looked up as she passed, only momentarily distracted. Afterall, it was not uncommon for a young man to find himself overcome with passion on such a night and to press his young lady too far.
Guy turned and leaned onto the stone balustrade, smiling to himself.
She got just what she deserved, the little slut. Let her try to explain away my mark. Now everyone will know just what kind of girl she really is.
A few minutes later, he sensed someone behind him, then felt a hand slide suggestively under his coat, over his buttocks and quickly slip between his legs.
So, she’s back for more. Perhaps I underestimated her.
He turned around slowly, intending to offer himself to the questing fingers as he anticipated the apology sure to be forthcoming. Unfortunately, it was a tall thin man with dark hair who stood behind him. Instantly, Guy stepped back, flattening himself against the stone railing.