Read Online New World, New Love by Rosalind Laker - Free Book Online

trouble, forever scheming for her own ends. He’d once loved a woman of Delphine’s character and knew the signs, which he had been too blind to see at the time. If it lay in his power, he would not let Delphine destroy Louise’s chance of happiness.
    He knew himself to be in love with Louise. Maybe he had been since first sighting her in that yellow hat. Yet in spite of her softened attitude she remained totally self-contained, an invisible guard between her and any slight intrusion by him into her private self. She did not seem to realize that her very reserve was a challenge to him, holding out the promise of undiscovered depths that he longed to explore.
    As she merrily explained something to her sister about the tradition of French kings always dining publicly, his gaze under lowered lids dwelt appreciatively on her, his thoughts running swiftly towards his intense desire for her. He wanted to bury his face in her gloriously burnished hair, to caress and to know every part of her lovely body, for he was able to see enough of her pearly breasts in the low-cut gown to make his hands ache to enfold and arouse them. Although she would still be mourning her late husband, he knew that nothing could deter him in his pursuit of her. He meant to have her eventually, however long it took. There was no barrier he wasn’t prepared to break down when the time was right.
    At that point, just as Louise was turning her head to speak to him, waiters brought the first course and he was saved from her seeing the stark passion in his eyes.
    During the several courses, he noticed how Delphine kept glancing around the room with an entranced gaze. He supposed she was imagining how it must have been to dine in that brittle world of Versailles that had gone for ever. Louise saw deeper than that and felt the chill of concern. Delphine was promising herself that one day she would come and go in such grand places, no matter what it cost to achieve her aim.
    In spite of the formality of the evening, the three of them conversed as freely as when they had eaten together in a humbler setting. Delphine scarcely knew what she ate in her exhilaration at being in such a splendid setting. She was fully aware of the keen glances cast in her direction by men, young and not so young, and she sparkled flirtatiously with Daniel. In contrast, Louise quietly enjoyed each course, even though none was up to the French standards she had known in the past, but the wines had been well chosen by Daniel and were quite excellent.
    After they had finished dining they went through to a large salon for the serving of tea, one of the English customs that had lingered on. Before sitting down Louise paused to look at a framed etching on the wall. It showed the new capital of Washington. Daniel came to her side.
    ‘That’s how it will look when all the buildings are finished,’ he said, studying it. ‘It was New York’s loss when the Government moved to Philadelphia. Yet it’s right that the country should have a fine new seat of government, designed with an eye to space and beauty, as well as a grand house for the President and all who take the presidential oath after him. But the circles of high society here have missed all the splendid social occasions that centred on him and Mrs Washington, which is why the present flood of French aristocrats has been like manna from Heaven to them.’
    Louise turned to look at him with a soft laugh. ‘Is that true?’
    He grinned. ‘Indeed it is! To have the names of dukes and duchesses and other titled personages on a guest list means a great deal to certain people. It shouldn’t be long before you’re swept up in the whirl.’
    Delphine, standing by them, was suddenly filled with hope. She would enjoy being fêted. Maybe the future was far brighter than she had hoped.
    Before the week was out Daniel took them to a concert and then on Saturday evening to a ball at the exclusive Belvedere House, bringing a business acquaintance