Read Online Beloved by Annette Chaudet - Free Book Online Page B

as a man loves a woman, but I assure you, I do love her.”
    Maryse sighed impatiently. Richard tried again.
    “I’ve loved her since the first day I saw her, when she was only a baby. I never actually ‘fell in love’ with her. She’s part of me, Maryse, I don’t know what else to tell you.”
    “Richard, you’re not telling me how you feel about her.”
    He paused, forcing himself to take a moment to reflect. It wasn’t something he’d ever felt a need to articulate.
    “I feel concerned about her. I want to protect her and care for her and most of all to make her happy. She’s my life. I can’t imagine an existence without her. Now, you tell me: how is it with a woman?”
    Maryse rolled away from him and lay staring at the ceiling.
    “When a woman falls in love, she is a fool.”
    The words and the chilly tone in which she pronounced them were betrayed by the tear that slid down the side of her face.
    “Maryse, if you’re unhappy in this marriage, you must tell me.”
    She said nothing.
    “You know the reason I’ve provided you with an income these last three years is so you would have a choice. There is absolutely no reason for you to rush into a union that won’t make you happy.”
    Maryse lay there, thinking how grateful she was for everything that Richard had done for her. He was the only real friend she’d ever had. The money he’d given her had provided her with a dowry and had indeed allowed her to see only such men at Madame Dijol’s as she chose. Without Richard’s financial support, she never would have been able to find a prospective husband as wealthy as Monsieur Chabannier. And now, instead of showing her gratitude, she was causing him unnecessary worry.
    “No, I’m not unhappy. Truly. Everything is perfect. Monsieur Chabannier is very kind and I fancy I shall like being the wife of such a successful man.”
    Richard looked at her skeptically, but she only laughed and moved back against him, kissing him on the cheek.
    “You see? What I’ve said is true. A woman in love is a fool—my behavior proves it. Now smile for me and forgive me for being so emotional.” When her efforts to reassure him seemed to have little effect, she went on. “I am in love, you know.” Even as she said them, the words stuck in her throat.
    She quickly tried to turn away but he caught her chin and turned her back to him.
    “I do know,” he said softly. Then he kissed her gently, but his mouth lingered on hers, letting her know that he did understand and how very sorry he was that there was nothing he could do about it.
    She snuggled down against him, relaxing at last. “Richard, don’t ever lose your tenderness,” she said softly.
    “What?”
    “You have a unique tenderness, a way of making a woman feel very special. It’s a gift, one you mustn’t misuse. Don’t ever lose it.”
    “Any gift I have, has come from you.”
    She lifted her head to kiss him and this time when their lips met he felt her desperation.
    Then, suddenly, there was a dull thud, as though a chair had overturned, followed by muffled curses. The sounds seemed to come from across the hall. Richard pulled away from Maryse to listen.
    “It’s late. They drink too much,” she whispered against his cheek.
    He smiled and turned to kiss her again, but this time there was yelling, a scream and the sound of breaking glass. Richard was out of bed like a shot, quickly pulling on his breeches and rushing into the hall. Maryse wasn’t far behind him.
    The sounds of a struggle, a woman pleading, blows and more overturned furniture were coming from the room directly across from Maryse’s. Richard went to the door and tried the handle but it was locked. He pounded on the ornately painted panel, but the disturbance within continued.
    “Go away, I don’t need any help,” came the drunken reply.
    “ Mademoiselle? Are you all right?” Richard had no intention of leaving things as they were until he could determine if the young lady was