Read Online Kit Black by Monica Danetiu-Pana - Free Book Online

paced the floor wondering where you were, if you were well, if you were even alive. And then I meet you and you can’t even bring yourself to look into my eyes.” He went on, and I could feel his breath, hot against my ear. “I was starting to accept that I had lost you forever, that I could finally forget and let the past lie buried. I looked up and there you were. Do you know that I looked for you everywhere? In crowds? Every time I see a pair of blue eyes, it paralyzes me. I went back to Ajaccio and looked for you. I even searched for you at sea. Miles from nowhere and going nowhere, expecting to see you combing your hair and singing to me like an Armandine on the rocks.”
    â€œI sing like shit.”
    He gave a scornful laugh.
    â€œI think you ought to think about your wife.”
    â€œI have tried. God knows I have. I should have gone against their wishes, I should have hurt her then. It would have been easier. You’re right to hate me, Kita.”
    I wanted to comfort him. What did I know of society? What did I know of duty to one’s father? I was of a completely different class. I did not understand him or his pain. He did not understand me or mine. All I knew was that I wanted nothing of his pampered life. I wanted no part in hurting his wife.
    â€œLet me go, Armand. You’re hurting me.”
    He loosed his grip immediately, stepping back from me. “I’m sorry. I am so sorry for hurting you. I am sorry for what I said, but I am not sorry that I kissed you. I will not apologize for that.”
    â€œIf I had let you, you’d have taken me against that wall. And it would not have mattered, because I am nothing to you but a whore.”
    â€œThat is not true.”
    â€œThat is what I see as true, Armand Etienne Dupuis. It is my truth.”
    â€œI love you,” he said softly.
    That took the wind out of my bloody sails.
    â€œI love you. Nothing will change that.”
    I never thought to hear those words from anyone, let alone him. I heard his wife calling him then, her tone lilting, amused, as if he were playing a game with her, a game of hide and seek.
    â€œArmand? Mon coeur? Armand?”
    â€œGo to her,” I hissed, urging him with a small shove. “I’ll stay here and leave later. No one will know we were together.”
    He nodded. “Kita, I…”
    â€œJust go.”
    â€œThank you.”
    â€œI don’t want your thanks. I’m protecting her, not you.”
    He sighed and reached out to touch my cheek with the backs of his fingers. I didn’t back away from his touch. I just closed my eyes, feeling the tears thicken my throat.
    â€œArmand?” Sandrine called again.
    He ducked out of the small structure.
    â€œThere you are, mon coeur . What have you been doing? We have to get upstairs. The nurse will have fed the baby by now, but he doesn’t like sleeping alone. Come, he only calms down in your arms. I do so hate to be stuck up there forever, when everyone else is having fun.”
    â€œYou go and have fun. I will see to him.”
    â€œThank you, mon coeur . Why were you out here?”
    â€œI was hot and stiff. I needed to relax.”
    â€œYour friend, the handsome dark haired man was looking for that strange girl. For a moment, I wondered if she might be with you. Isn’t that ridiculous of me?”
    â€œTotally. Let’s not have Yves wait any longer.”
    â€œDid you think she was beautiful, Armand? Everyone was looking at her and talking. She was so large for a woman. I like narrow shoulders far better on a lady, and she walks like a boy.”
    I did not listen to his reply.
    ***
    The next morning, Jean caught me crying. I was polishing Armand’s sword, debating on returning it to him. I had mulled it over all night while I relived that kiss, those harsh words he had uttered to me.
    â€œI wondered where you had disappeared to last night, Kit.”
    I brushed away the tears