Read Online Guarded Heart by Jennifer Blake - Free Book Online Page B

left Paris, the comfort of her husband’s home and the supervision of his relatives, to come here. She was attempting to make what had taken place more bearable. She wasn’t wallowing in her misfortune or lying supine with a cloth soaked in cologne on her forehead while others dealt with the details of living. No, not even if her husband’s family would have preferred it.
    Jean Marc’s brother had offered his hand in marriage. She was still astounded by that bit of hypocrisy since she well knew the purpose was to keep the fortune she had inherited in the family. His sisters had pleaded with her to accept the proposal, had wept and sworn they could not bear to be parted with her. Perhaps she had grown hard and cynical, but she could not think there was a word of truth in anything they said.
    Remaining with them would have meant lingering in a past made dreary by grief and remembrance. She had to move forward, to break free so she could live again.
    â€œChère?”
    It was Maurelle who spoke, putting out a hand to gain her attention by touching her arm. Ariadne gave her a wan smile. “A thousand pardons, my thoughts were elsewhere. You were saying?”
    â€œZoe asked if you wished to attend a soirée tomorrow evening, and offered tickets to her benefit later in the week.”
    The diva gave a decided nod that was echoed by the parrot. “The manager sponsors this soirée, you perceive, to introduce the opera company here as the season comes into its own. The food and wine will be excellent and the company the best.” She kissed her fingertips in an extravagant gesture. “Her benefit is, well, beneficial to my purse.”
    â€œThe last sounds lovely but I must miss the party. I have another engagement.”
    â€œDo you? And what might it be?” Zoe gave her a droll smile. “Perhaps I may prefer to do something other than smile and smile and be obliged to sing before the night is done.”
    â€œNothing of great interest.” The fewer who knew of her appointments with a fencing master, Ariadne thought, the better it would be.
    â€œYou may as well tell her, chère. ”
    â€œIndeed?”
    â€œBeing in and out of the house so often she is sure to stumble onto the truth.”
    â€œMais jamais!” the parrot screamed.
    It was again astonishingly apropos, almost as if the parrot understood the conversation, though it might also be on account of his having eaten the last of his meringue. With a small shrug, she said, “I am to have another fencing lesson. Maurelle has been kind enough to allow the use of a room for the exercise.”
    â€œBut how brave of you!”
    â€œNot at all. More patience than courage was required at our last lesson.” She drank the last of her cooling chocolate, trying to appear blasé.
    â€œOur lesson?” Zoe watched her, her eyes bright and a little too knowing for comfort. “You have a fencing master for instruction then. Which, if I may ask?”
    â€œMonsieur Blackford. You see the reason for my interest in his past.”
    â€œOh, ma chère, I could almost envy you. These bouts are private, yes? To be closeted with the Englishman, to face him as he is stripped for action— là, my heart runs away with me to think of it.” The diva put a hand to her ample chest, her eyes bright with exaggerated humor.
    â€œIt is nothing so very exciting.” Ariadne was conscious of the warmth in her face even as she made the protest.
    â€œDon’t tell me it is all mere thrust and parry! I shall not believe it, don’t want to believe it. No, no, it is all of the most romantic, I’m sure. I shall do myself the honor of attending on Maurelle the morning after, just to see how you progress.”
    â€œVache!” the parrot said.
    Ariadne, politely smiling, could only agree. Holy cow, indeed. The last thing she had intended was to draw more attention to her meetings with Monsieur