Read Online Leonie by Elizabeth Adler - Free Book Online Page B

would go after all. Caro’s parties were always fun.
    The courtyard was already crowded with people and carriages as Rupert paid off the cab, pushing back his blond hair with an impatient hand as the wind blasted around the corner. God, it was cold tonight. Ducking his head against the gale, he strode across the courtyard to the house just as the most amazing girl disappeared up the steps in front of him, flashing a glimpse of the longest red silk legs and the strangest little gold boots. Rupert followed the legs; he had to see who she was.
    “Rupert!”
    “Oh, damn,” he groaned as a pretty girl in a blue dress waylaid him at the door. Now he’d miss her!
    Gilles de Courmont knew he shouldn’t have come. These parties were always the same, the same faces, the same chatter—the same women. He leaned against the long window watching the scene moodily, wondering if he should bother to stay—perhaps he’d just make some excuse to Caro and leave, he had the new designs of the automobile engines to look over.… Who was that girl? She’d just walked in the door on the longest legs, wearing the most bizarre outfit, and was staring around nervously, obviously feeling very much out of place. Would she or wouldn’t she turn and run? She was certainly different, not quite a beauty, but there was something about her. Something quite irresistible. Something that pulled him toward her.
    Damn that man, staring at her! Léonie wanted to cry, to turn and run. She shrank into a corner, looking desperately for Caro. All the guests seemed to know each other very well. Oh dear, she should never have come. There was so much noise, music and talk and laughter. She glanced again at the man by the window. He was still watching her, a faint smile on his lips. He knows I don’t belong, she thought miserably. “Flaunt it a little”—Loulou’s words came back to her clearly. She wouldn’t be beaten, this was her big chance! Tilting her chin arrogantly, she straightened her back, pulled down her shoulders, and strode into the room on strong red silk legs and prancy circus pony boots.
    “Léonie,” cried Caro, stunned by the girl’s appearance—thehair, the shiny dress, the legs, the boots. But the odd thing was that once you got over the shock, Léonie looked wonderful, a shiny golden being from some other world. She kissed her warmly and introduced her to Alphonse. “You look marvelous. Everyone,” she said to the guests watching in fascinated silence, “this is Léonie.”
    The instant focus of their silent attention, Léonie dropped her gaze nervously, then, remembering Loulou’s admonition, she lifted her chin and stared back, challengingly.
    “Of course, I remember you,” said Alphonse. “Yours is not a face anyone forgets easily.”
    Léonie hoped it was a compliment. She was still unsure about her dress—none of the other women’s dresses were as short, or as shiny.
    “May I get you some champagne, Léonie?” a dark young man asked eagerly.
    She sighed with relief and began to relax a little, maybe she might even enjoy the party after all. Glancing around, she again caught the eye of the man by the window and hurriedly turned away, peeking at him from under her lashes a moment later. He came closer and stood by the table drinking a glass of champagne. No one else spoke to him. He was as alone as she. But he looked sinister, surrounded by his pool of silence, and she turned hurriedly to the buzz of conversation and laughter that flowed around her. He was oddly attractive, she thought, feeling an unfamiliar flutter in her stomach.
    “Léonie,” said Caro, “I’d like you to meet Rupert von Hollensmark. We’re lucky to have him here, he just got back from Munich this evening.”
    Léonie gazed upward into the deep blueness of his eyes and it was as though the stars had fallen from the heavens. She felt the pressure of his touch, the harsh texture of his fingers, the warmth of his breath as he bowed over her hand.