Read Online Awakened by a Kiss by Lila DiPasqua - Free Book Online

find someone else who shared her disdain for it.
    Music started up in the Grand Salon, the harpsichord and violins playing a menuet . Catherine tore her gaze from Adrien’s handsome face and noticed that already guests were moving to the next room. Adrien’s uncles were also leaving, a pretty dark-haired woman exiting with them. Briefly, the woman met Catherine’s gaze. A venomous look flashed in her hazel eyes so quickly, she wasn’t certain if she’d imagined it.
    A banquet of roasted duck, partridge, and quails, fruits, salads, and pastries was spread out before her. Though most everyone had had their fill, none held any appeal for Catherine. Least of all her cold soup that she’d neglected to wave away.
    She returned her attention to Adrien. He was watching her. All that masculine beauty focused solely on her. Her insides danced.
    “I don’t wish to speak here,” she said. “I’ll come to your room tonight.”
    “No. Wait out a few dances then retire to your rooms. I’ll come to you.”
    “Very well. As long as you promise not to do anything to cause tongues to wag here.”
    “Agreed. And you’ll agree to provide answers.”
    She nodded. “I’ll have answers for you.” And a bargain to sweeten the deal and ensure his silence.

    “Adrien,” Paul said as he approached with a smile. “You’ll soon bore holes in the Marquis de Verdier’s back with the look you’re giving him. Could it be it’s because he’s dancing with your lady?”
    Adrien tightened his jaw. The moment Catherine entered the Grand Salon, she was besieged with offers to dance. This was her third dance already. Her radiant smile was telling. She was clearly enjoying the allemande, bewitching every one of her dance partners as they left looking smitten.
    “She’s not my lady,” Adrien said, surprised by the twinge of regret.
    “Why are you not dancing with her yourself?”
    Why indeed? Why on earth had he agreed to keep his distance and not make their involvement more evident? You know why . It was something he’d seen in her eyes. A sorrow that stirred his compassion.
    Instinct cautioned him against such sentiment, warning him not to be drawn in. Something told him that perhaps he should back off—that it might be best if he didn’t learn the reasons behind her actions five years ago after all.
    But as he watched her turn and curtsy, the final notes fading away to end the dance, he silenced the niggling doubts.
    He knew nothing could keep him from her room tonight.

6

    Pacing in her rooms, Catherine stopped dead in her tracks when she heard the expected knock at the door.
    Adrien.
    The moment of truth had arrived.
    She’d promised him answers. The question was: what would he think of her answers?
    Nervously she smoothed her skirts and opened the door. Adrien was leaning against the doorframe with his forearm. As usual, his presence sent a thrill through her.
    She stepped aside, allowing him to enter.
    “Please sit.” She indicated the settee near the hearth in the antechamber.
    He moved across the room, all muscle and masculine grace, and sat down, his rapt attention on her. Grappling with how to begin, Catherine clasped her hands, then released them and smoothed her skirts again. She’d practiced the words. But they were stuck on her tongue.
    Adrien rose and approached her, his brow furrowed. Her nerves jangled; she braced herself, unsure what he was about to do or say.
    He cupped her cheek. “Are you all right?” he asked.
    It unbalanced her. She wasn’t expecting him to be concerned about her emotional state. Her father and husband never were. She’d learned to stand strong on her own long ago. To lean on no one.
    Feeling vulnerable was unsettling in the extreme.
    “You can trust me,” he told her.
    Did she have a choice? She’d failed miserably to convince him he was mistaken. He could have her arrested at any time. The freckles on her breast would ultimately condemn her.
    She’d have to find the courage to