Read Online Beloved by Annette Chaudet - Free Book Online

gentle pressure of his skin against hers.
    “I’m very pleased to see you.” Even as she said the words, she turned away. “I really didn’t think you’d be back before the wedding.” She reached up and pulled the woven bell cord that hung beside the door. “You will stay for supper, won’t you?”
    “If you like.” Richard watched her, unable to understand the reason for the change that had come over her since Geneviève left them.
    Odile knocked just a few minutes later and Maryse asked her to bring them something to eat. Then she proceeded to make a great show of straightening up the room, serving him some wine and just generally doing her best to keep her distance.
    Richard sat at the small table and watched her, sipping the wine and answering her questions about the voyage, about Cybelle’s party and about Christina. He knew she was avoiding any sort of meaningful conversation, but he couldn’t understand why—or for that matter, what—could have caused the warm greeting she’d given him to chill so quickly.
    Finally, when Maryse ran out of things to say, she began pacing back and forth across the room. As she passed by the table, he caught her wrist. When she didn’t resist, he gently pulled her onto his lap.
    “Maryse, I am here because you asked me to stay. If you want me to go, you have only to say so,” he said gently. He placed a finger under her chin and lifted her face to his. “Your upcoming marriage may make seeing me difficult, but there’s no reason for you to feel this uncomfortable.”
    “I know.” She looked down again at the finely embroidered handkerchief she was nervously twisting in her lap. She was confused by her emotions—so very happy he’d come, but knowing that it was only to say goodbye was breaking her heart.
    Richard touched her cheek with the backs of his fingers. “I came here to bring you a gift, and to assure myself that you’re happy in your choice of husbands.”
    Maryse knew his concern was genuine. Perhaps that was what was making it all so very difficult.
    “ Saai Jai ,” she whispered. It was her nickname for him and pronouncing it somehow comforted her. “Forgive me. I’ve missed you.”
    Richard kissed her fingers and then took her hand and placed it around his neck before he kissed her. Maryse slowly abandoned herself to the kiss, even though she knew it might be their last. For all her pretense to the contrary, that thought filled her with sadness.
    They were interrupted by a knock at the door as Odile arrived with their supper and Maryse nervously jumped to her feet. The older woman’s face lit up when she saw Richard. Over the past three years he had slowly managed to charm his way into her good graces.
    “Monsieur, how good to see you,” she said, genuinely pleased.
    “And you, Odile. Tell me, how are your niece and her new son doing?”
    Odile beamed, blossoming in the light of his concern. “Oh, very well, Monsieur, and they are most grateful for your generous gift.”
    “Well, I wish them the best.”
    “Thank you, Monsieur.” Odile curtseyed, and though she would rather have stayed to talk with Richard, she was very sure that these two would have a great deal to say to each other. She left them alone.
    As the door closed behind Odile, the gulf between Richard and Maryse widened once again, making the conversation over their meal awkward and leaving serious doubts in Richard’s mind as to whether or not Maryse was indeed happy about her impending marriage. Try as he might, he could not get past the superficial topics she continued to offer.
    When they finished their food, Richard pulled a small embroidered silk pouch from his pocket, and reaching across the table to catch hold of her wrist, placed it in her hand. Their eyes met. She smiled sadly and he released her. Slowly, she poured the contents of the pouch into her palm. The delicate double strands of pearls slid over her skin, catching on her fingers.
    For a moment she just stared