Brocade Series 02 - Giselle by Jackie Ivie Read Free Book Online

Duchesse.”
    Both Minots stood on her side of the carriage, and she smiled at them numbly. It felt like her mouth had joined the fray, and belonged to someone else, as well.
    “The pleasure was mine,” Giselle replied in a voice that trembled. “You are an extraordinary cook, Madame.”
    The cabriolet swayed as Navarre got in . Giselle started, but didn’t jump that time. The only reaction was the white knuckles on her hands. She was rather proud of that.
    “You must visit again.” Monsieur Minot lifted his hand in farewell.
    “I’ll make certain and bring her.” Navarre flicked the reins. “Until then.”
    No . Oh, no.
    He couldn’t bring her again. She’d refuse. She couldn’t let herself be this close to him ever again. She was a married woman, journeying to her husband. And this Navarre was far too attractive to her. Being near him was creating more than shivers. She couldn’t allow this again. Everything on her body was sending a warning.
    “Look, Giselle,”
    Navarre spoke from beside her, interrupting her thoughts. She started and then looked out at where he was pointing. Savignen Valley. Her dowry.
    “Isn’t it beautiful? I always think so, especially so when dawn is just breaking. You can see that, can’t you? I can understand the comte’s hatred for us better each time I look at it.”
    “You know of his…feelings?” she stammered.
    He chuckled. “All of France knows of his displeasure. He makes no secret of it. He’s even tried to draw Jean-Claude into a duel over it — more than once.”
    “Jean-Claude?”
    Giselle put her nose under the blanket for warmth. It was much colder, and she shivered. She wondered how Navarre could sit there so calmly without even a rug over his legs. He had only his hose and the green satin breeches to keep him warm….
    Oh dear ! She had to stop her thoughts!
    “My brother, Jean-Claude, attends to court functions in Versailles. He’s one of the king’s favorite courtiers. Hopefully, you’ll never—”
    He stopped abruptly . Giselle waited, but he was silent. Navarre pulled on the reins, and the horse stopped.
    “See those lights?”
    He pointed again. Giselle forced herself to look beyond how his sleeve defined the strength in the arm before her. But she’d known he was strong. She’d felt it as he carried her.
    Oh dear ! She had to concentrate on where he pointed. It wasn’t an easy task.
    “ That’s the Chateau Berchand. We’ll be there within the hour. Hold these.”
    He held the reins out for her. Giselle gripped the leather strips in both hands, trembling visibly . Luckily, the horse didn’t move, for Giselle was woefully ignorant of how reins worked.
    She watched Navarre str ike flint and light candles in two glass boxes on either side of the carriage. The glow shed some light on the road, demonstrating how dark it had gotten. Giselle would have been petrified with fear if she were alone.
    “Are we late?” She whispered it as the vehicle swayed again with his entrance.
    “Not so much that anyone will worry.”
    He smiled down at her. Time stood still. The newly lit lanterns made it more than obvious. The light glinted on teeth. Of course, he would have the most stunning smile she’d ever seen, too. She would simply have to admit that to herself and then let it go, as well.
    “What of my maid, Isabelle ? And…my governess? They’ll worry.”
    He chuckled and took the reins from her hands . ‘They’re behind us. The baggage wagon can’t travel fast enough to overtake us. May I share your cover?”
    Her heart stopped again . Her eyes went to their fullest, and he probably heard the gasp. Share the blanket? Together? Oh…my! She had yet to stifle how it felt when his fingers had touched hers while taking the reins! He kept up a running chatter, as if unaware of her reaction.
    “Madame Minot is a great cook, isn’t she?” he asked. “Not that our own Chef Aaron doesn’t compare. Esmee would have my tongue for denigrating words.