Read Online Lovers and Reprisals (Lovers Series) by Lori Turner - Free Book Online
Authors: Lori Turner
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Don’t be mean.”
“She’s drunk.”
Lucien had never cared much for Marisela, but he’d always been respectful whenever they shared the same space. In spite of his right to have his own opinion, his sister chided him.
“And for good reason--I’m only sad that I didn’t noticed the signs. I could have prevented this from happening.”
Chantel understood her friends heartache but she had other things to consider. Her family was hosting this Ball and she saw no need to dampen the spirits of their other guest. On a day like today, no one wanted to witness pouting and they surely didn’t want to see a grown woman using liquor to drown her woes. No--that just wouldn’t do. Appearances were important, and too easily stained.
Chantel faced her brother, with her back to the crowd. She couldn’t chance being overheard.
“Don’t worry--I’ll take care of this. I’ll instruct someone to assist her to one of the guest bedrooms. She’ll be out of the way--and she’ll have time to sober up--or sleep it off.”
Lucien nodded, then he walked away while thinking; problem solved. Chantel snapped her fingers, gaining the attention of the person nearest her. She instructed the maid to take Marisela to one of the guest bedrooms, and to remain with her, making sure that her friend rested comfortably. With that done, Chantel hurried to catch her brother. She hooked their arms, then joined him as he weaved through a crowd of people.
“It’s a shame Lucien. I think Marisela’s brother has finally lost his marbles. Who invites friends to a New Year’s Day party--then snubs them, by not even being at home. Who does that?”
Lucien nodded and smiled at some of the guest, while creating a path wide enough for him and his sister.
He said...
“Don’t be a part of the problem Chantel.”
“And what do you mean by that?”
“Practically every person in this house has an opinion about Tollin and the fact that he brushed off his remaining friends. The guy had a bad year and maybe he needed some time to himself. Did you consider that? Maybe solitude is what he wants...and can you blame him?”
She drew in close, not to be overheard when she said...
“His parents arrived at his home in Santa Barbara--but, they didn’t find anything indicating that he’d spent the night there.”
“Chantel...don’t feed into the gossip. All of this hullaballoo floating around this house...don’t believe any of it because I don’t think any of it is true. Can you imagine the thoughts that haunt Tollin? Think about the images that form his dreams. I don’t know about you, but if our places were switched, by now, I’d be a basket-case. For goodness sake, the man was responsible for a little girl loosing her life.”
He’d not meant to sound crass because he mirrored his sisters concern. He shared this sentiment when he asked...
“Doesn’t he moor his yacht at the marina?”
“Yes. According to my sources, the Pettier’s are flying back to the city and one of their first stops will be at the marina.”
In the distance Lucien eyed his parents . They were talking to the mayor and seeing them had sparked a concern. He wondered if Marisela’s parents had notified the local police or if they’d enlisted help from some of their insider connections.
“Lucien...”
His thoughts were drawn to his sister, when he said...
“Make it quick Chantel. If I leave now--I’ll be back in no time.”
“Where are you going in such a hurry? Clive said that you’d gone down to the cellar, looking for a bottle of champagne.”
When he’d slipped away from the party, Lucien had thought his absence had gone unnoticed--but after running into Marisela, then hearing about his brother-in-law; he wondered who had been keeping tabs on him.
Lucien said...
“I was looking for grand-poppa's special vintage. I didn’t see it in the cellar but I know where there is at least
“She’s drunk.”
Lucien had never cared much for Marisela, but he’d always been respectful whenever they shared the same space. In spite of his right to have his own opinion, his sister chided him.
“And for good reason--I’m only sad that I didn’t noticed the signs. I could have prevented this from happening.”
Chantel understood her friends heartache but she had other things to consider. Her family was hosting this Ball and she saw no need to dampen the spirits of their other guest. On a day like today, no one wanted to witness pouting and they surely didn’t want to see a grown woman using liquor to drown her woes. No--that just wouldn’t do. Appearances were important, and too easily stained.
Chantel faced her brother, with her back to the crowd. She couldn’t chance being overheard.
“Don’t worry--I’ll take care of this. I’ll instruct someone to assist her to one of the guest bedrooms. She’ll be out of the way--and she’ll have time to sober up--or sleep it off.”
Lucien nodded, then he walked away while thinking; problem solved. Chantel snapped her fingers, gaining the attention of the person nearest her. She instructed the maid to take Marisela to one of the guest bedrooms, and to remain with her, making sure that her friend rested comfortably. With that done, Chantel hurried to catch her brother. She hooked their arms, then joined him as he weaved through a crowd of people.
“It’s a shame Lucien. I think Marisela’s brother has finally lost his marbles. Who invites friends to a New Year’s Day party--then snubs them, by not even being at home. Who does that?”
Lucien nodded and smiled at some of the guest, while creating a path wide enough for him and his sister.
He said...
“Don’t be a part of the problem Chantel.”
“And what do you mean by that?”
“Practically every person in this house has an opinion about Tollin and the fact that he brushed off his remaining friends. The guy had a bad year and maybe he needed some time to himself. Did you consider that? Maybe solitude is what he wants...and can you blame him?”
She drew in close, not to be overheard when she said...
“His parents arrived at his home in Santa Barbara--but, they didn’t find anything indicating that he’d spent the night there.”
“Chantel...don’t feed into the gossip. All of this hullaballoo floating around this house...don’t believe any of it because I don’t think any of it is true. Can you imagine the thoughts that haunt Tollin? Think about the images that form his dreams. I don’t know about you, but if our places were switched, by now, I’d be a basket-case. For goodness sake, the man was responsible for a little girl loosing her life.”
He’d not meant to sound crass because he mirrored his sisters concern. He shared this sentiment when he asked...
“Doesn’t he moor his yacht at the marina?”
“Yes. According to my sources, the Pettier’s are flying back to the city and one of their first stops will be at the marina.”
In the distance Lucien eyed his parents . They were talking to the mayor and seeing them had sparked a concern. He wondered if Marisela’s parents had notified the local police or if they’d enlisted help from some of their insider connections.
“Lucien...”
His thoughts were drawn to his sister, when he said...
“Make it quick Chantel. If I leave now--I’ll be back in no time.”
“Where are you going in such a hurry? Clive said that you’d gone down to the cellar, looking for a bottle of champagne.”
When he’d slipped away from the party, Lucien had thought his absence had gone unnoticed--but after running into Marisela, then hearing about his brother-in-law; he wondered who had been keeping tabs on him.
Lucien said...
“I was looking for grand-poppa's special vintage. I didn’t see it in the cellar but I know where there is at least
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