Read Online Deverell's Obsession: A Risqué Regency Romance by Sahara Kelly - Free Book Online
Authors: Sahara Kelly
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Léonie to attend? Even in her father’s train? Well, it was something indeed. And, Dev realized, it explained the incredible perfection of her manners. He’d noticed that, even when she was crushed with pain. Barely a flicker of emotion crossed her features and her conversation was impeccable.
He now understood the reason—good diplomatic training.
“So that was a couple of years ago.” Dev eased the conversation forward, much as he’d like to have asked her about the Congress. That could wait for another time. “Forgive the improper nature of this question, Léonie, but how old are you?”
She smiled. “I think, under the circumstances, Dev, there are few improper questions. I will be twenty-six in October of this year.”
“And still unwed? My goodness, dear. What were your parents thinking?” Aunt Bertie stared wide-eyed at Léonie.
“Aunt…” Dev began.
“It’s all right. I don’t mind.” Léonie shrugged. “I was married, Aunt Bertie. When I was seventeen. In Brussels. Mama knew she was ill and was desperate to see me ‘settled’ as she put it, before she passed away. Times were very uncertain then and Papa…well, he was deep into his diplomatic life with little time for family matters. She found a young French subaltern of good lineage and I…I found him not unattractive.” She looked down at her hands. This wasn’t as easy as it had been in the past.
Was it remembered pain or the presence of the man looking at her so intently? She didn’t know.
“What happened, dear?” Bertie’s voice was kind.
“He was called to duty. And his brigade fought at Talavera.” There was silence in the room for a few moments. “He never returned.”
“How sad. How very sad.” Bertie sighed.
“It was. We were both so young, and wed for less than a year.”
“And yet you had your life to live…” Dev encouraged her to continue.
“I did, yes. I think Mama’s plan was for Hugo’s family to take me with them when they left Brussels. But by then, France was deeply embroiled in wars on several fronts and properties were no longer viewed as birthrights. They were afraid to return and so they moved to Italy.” She looked up at Dev. “I did not wish to go with them and live as a widow. Not at seventeen.”
He smiled then, warmth lighting his eyes. “I can readily understand that sentiment.”
“So you stayed in Brussels with the Petrovas?” Bertie asked.
“That’s correct, yes. I went back to being Léonie Girard. Life became more difficult as time went on, of course. Europe at war is not always an easy place to live.” A little smile curved her lips at some of her memories. “But it was an adventure, I can attest to that.”
“And then Vienna.” Dev sighed. “I envy you that experience. But that brings us to two years ago.”
She frowned. “Yes, that’s right. After that, we stayed on in Vienna, at least until Christmas—I recall the snow and the sleighs. It was lovely. We were staying with the Vorlinkas, since Count Vorlinka had a home there and had also been attending the Congress.”
“So now we’re at the beginning of last year.” Dev kept pace with the conversation, helping her keep her memories as accurate as possible.
“Yes.” She looked up and smiled. “Yes, I went south. One of the Vorlinka relatives, Suza, was going to her mother’s home in Greece. They were, or I should say are, merchants. And it was so lovely there.”
“My word, you’ve travelled a lot in such a short time, dear.” Bertie looked amazed. “I thought I had the lock on world travels, but I think you’ve outdone me.”
“Not on purpose, I can assure you, Aunt Bertie. I enjoy travelling, but…” Léonie looked around her. “I’ve never known anything like a home, you see.”
Dev shifted in his chair. “So Greece was lovely, you say? I confess I’ve heard the same from my friends who’ve been there.”
“Yes it was. The sunshine—endless sunshine. Wonderful food. Laughter.
He now understood the reason—good diplomatic training.
“So that was a couple of years ago.” Dev eased the conversation forward, much as he’d like to have asked her about the Congress. That could wait for another time. “Forgive the improper nature of this question, Léonie, but how old are you?”
She smiled. “I think, under the circumstances, Dev, there are few improper questions. I will be twenty-six in October of this year.”
“And still unwed? My goodness, dear. What were your parents thinking?” Aunt Bertie stared wide-eyed at Léonie.
“Aunt…” Dev began.
“It’s all right. I don’t mind.” Léonie shrugged. “I was married, Aunt Bertie. When I was seventeen. In Brussels. Mama knew she was ill and was desperate to see me ‘settled’ as she put it, before she passed away. Times were very uncertain then and Papa…well, he was deep into his diplomatic life with little time for family matters. She found a young French subaltern of good lineage and I…I found him not unattractive.” She looked down at her hands. This wasn’t as easy as it had been in the past.
Was it remembered pain or the presence of the man looking at her so intently? She didn’t know.
“What happened, dear?” Bertie’s voice was kind.
“He was called to duty. And his brigade fought at Talavera.” There was silence in the room for a few moments. “He never returned.”
“How sad. How very sad.” Bertie sighed.
“It was. We were both so young, and wed for less than a year.”
“And yet you had your life to live…” Dev encouraged her to continue.
“I did, yes. I think Mama’s plan was for Hugo’s family to take me with them when they left Brussels. But by then, France was deeply embroiled in wars on several fronts and properties were no longer viewed as birthrights. They were afraid to return and so they moved to Italy.” She looked up at Dev. “I did not wish to go with them and live as a widow. Not at seventeen.”
He smiled then, warmth lighting his eyes. “I can readily understand that sentiment.”
“So you stayed in Brussels with the Petrovas?” Bertie asked.
“That’s correct, yes. I went back to being Léonie Girard. Life became more difficult as time went on, of course. Europe at war is not always an easy place to live.” A little smile curved her lips at some of her memories. “But it was an adventure, I can attest to that.”
“And then Vienna.” Dev sighed. “I envy you that experience. But that brings us to two years ago.”
She frowned. “Yes, that’s right. After that, we stayed on in Vienna, at least until Christmas—I recall the snow and the sleighs. It was lovely. We were staying with the Vorlinkas, since Count Vorlinka had a home there and had also been attending the Congress.”
“So now we’re at the beginning of last year.” Dev kept pace with the conversation, helping her keep her memories as accurate as possible.
“Yes.” She looked up and smiled. “Yes, I went south. One of the Vorlinka relatives, Suza, was going to her mother’s home in Greece. They were, or I should say are, merchants. And it was so lovely there.”
“My word, you’ve travelled a lot in such a short time, dear.” Bertie looked amazed. “I thought I had the lock on world travels, but I think you’ve outdone me.”
“Not on purpose, I can assure you, Aunt Bertie. I enjoy travelling, but…” Léonie looked around her. “I’ve never known anything like a home, you see.”
Dev shifted in his chair. “So Greece was lovely, you say? I confess I’ve heard the same from my friends who’ve been there.”
“Yes it was. The sunshine—endless sunshine. Wonderful food. Laughter.
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