Beyond paradise by Copyright Paperback Collection (Library of Congress) DLC, Elizabeth Doyle Read Free Book Online

distaste—"lovely as always," he finished with as sincere a smile as he could manage.
    "Please leave us," Sylvie said gently to Veronique, her eyes fixed firmly upon her betrothed.
    Veronique looked at Sylvie, and then at Etienne. But nobody looked at her. "But I..." She hardly knew where to begin. She didn't feel she should have to leave upon request. Yet, something was telling her to do so. "Who is this?" she asked Etienne.
    He hedged. "Well," he said, tilting his head from side to side, "technically, I suppose she is my, uh . . . well, in a very technical sense . . ."
    "Unfortunately," Sylvie interrupted calmly, "I am his

    Elizabeth Doyle
    bride-to-be. Now please leave us." She had no quarrel with Veronique. She knew who had betrayed her.
    "Bride-to-be!" cried Veronique, spinning to face her untruthful suitor. "Why, no wonder you would not meet my family! Is this true?"
    He managed a weak smile. "Well, yes, but you see ..."
    "Yes, I do see!" she cried. "Indeed I do! Of all the ..."
    "Now, wait," he called after her, trying to catch hold of an elbow or at least a piece of cloth before she could depart forever. "It isn't so terrible as all of that, is it? I am only going to be married, not dead. I..."
    But she was gone. Etienne took a deep breath as he watched her disappear along the dirt road, far from the hustle and bustle of town, and into the forest beyond. He was disappointed, yes. And for a full count to five, he really did mourn. But he then felt it was time to recover from his grief and live again, so he faced Sylvie. "Oh, well," he sighed, "she really was a nice girl. So how are you?"
    "Why must you embarrass me?" she asked, sparing him not a spark of the wrath which gleamed in her eyes.
    "Embarrass you?" he asked. "What do you mean? You mean ... oh, that?" he asked, pointing at the road. "Oh, no, no. You misunderstand. You see, I was merely helping her..."
    "Answer my question," she demanded.
    Several expressions crossed Etienne's face, one at a time, and quickly. First, he looked innocent of his seemingly innocuous crime, then thoughtful as he pondered a better lie, then miserably caught upon the realization that Sylvie would not believe it, and finally, falsely angry. "I should ask you the same thing," he demanded. "Where have you been? Gallivanting about when you should be at home, preparing yourself for our marriage? You look filthy. How do you think I feel, when my bride flits about this island as though she were a free vessel, and not studying to better serve me? Don't you

    BEYOND PARADISE
    49
    have cooking and sewing to learn? And look at you—your clothing is better suited to a peasant."
    Sylvie was offended, for she did not own any beautiful gowns, and Etienne knew it well. Her family was poor, though titled, and provided for her as well as they could. But they did not have the sort of money he did. Still, she would not allow the change of subject, even after being so provoked. "I know you don't care for me," she announced.
    "Don't care for you?" he asked, reaching for her hand. "How could you say such a . .."
    "Don't coddle me," she warned, yanking away her hand. "I did not choose this marriage, either. But I expect that we should grant one another dignity."
    "But what do you mean? I—"
    He knew what she'd meant, and so she walked away. There was nothing else to say here. She had made her point, and any further discussion would only give him the opportunity to tell more lies. She offered him only her back as he continued to prattle off excuses and pleas. She was glad that he at least felt the need to explain himself. It was a good sign. It meant that he knew what he had done wrong, even if he didn't quite care. "You heard me!" she called one last time before moving out of his ear's reach. And then she was alone in her anger.
    The walk home gave her ample time in which to fume. The ever-present breeze carried the crisp scent of ocean mixed with the fresh smell of healthy leaves. As always, the