Gypsy Jewel (38 page)

Misty was ready to burst. She tugged on Damien’s coat sleeve. “Papa,” she announced excitedly, “
Grandmere
wants me to go to France with her.”

“What?” Her startled parents spoke in unison, and the dowager countess gave her granddaughter a playful wink.

“
Pouf
! So much for secrets, eh? But it is true. I think it is time Mistelle was introduced to another part of her heritage. After all, Damien was going back and forth across the channel when he was still in nappies.”

“
Maman
, I don’t know —” April began uneasily.

“Henriette Dupre has gone abroad,” Marcelle announced with satisfaction. “In fact, the entire Dupre family has immigrated to Mexico at the request of the Emperor himself. They will not return.” Her dark eyes glinted with mischief.

“What have you done,
Maman
?” Damien demanded.

Marcelle shrugged. “
Moi
? Nothing much. Simply mentioned to Louis that the Archduke Maximilian and his wife might like company on the journey. Can I help it if the Dupres were the obvious choice?”

Damien knelt to his daughter’s height. “Do you want to go, poppet?”

“Ever so much. I want to see the chateau and the vineyards and learn how to dance —”

He laughingly held up a hand to cease her chatter. “If it’s all right with your mother, you have my permission.”

April felt the weight of three pairs of eyes on her and relented with a sigh. “Very well. But you shan’t be able to take Azize along, you know.”

A moment of indecision flitted across Misty’s face. Then, turning to the dowager countess, she asked slyly, “Might you find me another horse in France,
Grandmere
?”

Marcelle grinned. “I think we might,
ma doux
. We shall stay the weekend, and then be off on a new adventure.” She looked gratefully at her son and his wife. Her grandchildren were her whole life now, and they understood.

S
EVERAL DAYS LATER, AFTER
Lord and Lady Cross waved goodbye to Mistelle and her grandmother from the front steps of the mansion, April turned and buried her face in Damien’s lapels.

“I don’t think I can bear it,” she gasped tearfully.

Damien chuckled as he stroked her golden hair. “Little ones grow up, my love. But we still have Jamie.’“

“Not for long.” April sniffled and raised her head. Her green eyes were imploring as she gazed up at her handsome husband. “I want another baby, Damien.”

A slow smile curved his sensuous mouth. “You know I can’t deny you anything, Lady Cross,” he said huskily before he captured her lips beneath his.

Out in the pasture, Prince Adar paused to stare a moment at the couple embracing in the mist. Then, with a shake of his mighty black head, he raced off to find his mares.

Patricia McAllister is the author of five historical romance novels, a novella, and a chapter in a “how to write” nonfiction book. She also writes under the pen name Brit Darby with fellow author Fela Dawson Scott. Find more details on Brit Darby’s novels at
www.britdarby.com
.

You can visit at:
www.britdarby.com

Or e-mail:
[email protected]

Other books by Patricia McAllister:

Mountain Angel

Sea Raven

Fire Raven

Snow Raven

Absolute Angels (novella)

As Brit Darby:

Emerald Prince