Beloved by Annette Chaudet Read Free Book Online

her cheek.
    “To remember tonight.”
    Christina put her arms around him, hugging him as tightly as she could. Everything was perfect. Just as their life together would be. Absolutely perfect.

    But Richard and Christina were by no means the only couple locked in an embrace on the balcony of the château that romantic night.
    “Monsieur!” Sylvie exclaimed as she struggled in Guy’s arms.
    He loosened his grip on her waist, but only slightly. His smile was difficult for the girl to interpret in the moonlight. She was a little frightened.
    “ Ma petite , what is it? It was you, was it not, who suggested we come out onto the balcony? Do you now wish me to believe you only wanted to enjoy the evening air?”
    Guy was very skillful with the young ladies. Being twenty, he was old enough to think about marriage. His father was part of a very successful business partnership, a prime consideration as far as the girls of Provence—and their mothers—were concerned. That he didn’t seem to be steadily interested in any one girl made him all the more intriguing.
    Sylvie smiled coyly and relaxed a little, thinking she’d misinterpreted his advance.
    “Monsieur, I thought this might give us a chance to get to know each other a little better.” The resistance went out of her arms and she fingered the bow at the back of his neck, but found herself looking past his shoulder to avoid the disconcerting intensity of his pale blue eyes.
    “Mademoiselle, is that not what I’m endeavoring to do?”
    “Perhaps, but if that’s truly the case, then I think you’re a bit too earnest in your endeavors.”
    Guy threw back his head and laughed, but there was a harsh edge to the sound. Sylvie was not completely reassured.
    “I am yours to command, Mademoiselle,” he said with great sincerity.
    She looked at him, not quite trusting him, yet unwilling to part from such an intriguing and good looking young gentleman.
    Difficult as it was, Guy waited, holding himself in check until she made the next move. Finally, she smiled and leaned forward to kiss him. This time he went more slowly, carefully letting Sylvie set the pace, and as her trust in him increased, she became more bold.
    It was a mistake.
    When Guy sensed the change, he was suddenly overwhelmed with a wave of disgust. He masked it well as his mouth left hers to begin a slow trail of kisses down her neck, and across her throat.
    This was closer to what sixteen year old Sylvie had imagined. To be at the biggest party of the season, enjoying a dalliance with a very eligible young man, was the culmination of her fantasies from the entire summer. She leaned into Guy’s embrace, arching her back and letting her head fall back as she offered up the pale skin above her décolleté to his questing lips.
    Guy smiled as his mouth moved lower. He ran his tongue over the curve of the top of her breast and then between the lace of her bodice and her skin, just enough to flick at her nipple. Sylvie, swept away on a tide of pleasurable sensation embellished by her very active imagination, sighed. Guy looked up and when he saw the ecstatic expression on her face, he abruptly sank his teeth into the soft flesh of her breast.
    Sylvie shrieked and pulled away from him, stunned as she looked down at the deep red marks on her skin. Guy laughed at her outraged expression.
    “You bastard!” she howled as she slapped his face. Her eyes filled with tears as she ran back along the balcony and in through the nearest set of open doors. The other couples looked up as she passed, only momentarily distracted. Afterall, it was not uncommon for a young man to find himself overcome with passion on such a night and to press his young lady too far.
    Guy turned and leaned onto the stone balustrade, smiling to himself. She got just what she deserved, the little slut. Let her try to explain away my mark. Now everyone will know just what kind of girl she really is.
    A few minutes later, he sensed someone behind him,