Deceive Not My Heart by Shirlee Busbee Read Free Book Online

Slade, he has agreed to the marriage?"
    Claude had hesitated, not wanting Leonie to guess he had not yet even broached the matter to the young man in question. Deciding that the sooner Leonie realized that her fate was sealed, the better off they all would be, he replied easily, "Mais oui! We did not finalize everything last night, you understand, but he is most agreeable. I will meet with him tonight to discuss your dowry and the date of the marriage."
    Her eyes narrowed and Leonie queried sharply, "What dowry?"
    Aware that she would find out about the money eventually, Claude said with deceptive innocence, "A handsome dowry of five thousand doubloons in gold that your father and I set aside the day of your birth." Smiling almost proudly he added, "You see, ma petite, despite all my faults I managed to save that for you."
    He would have gone on, but Leonie's eyes went round with astonishment. Then, as the impact of what all that money would mean to her beloved Chateau Saint-Andre, an exuberant grin crossed her face and she burst out happily, "Grand-pere! Mon Dieu, but you had me worried! We are saved! With that much gold we can buy so many things for the Chateau—new livestock, new tools, and perhaps even hire people to work the fields! C'est merveilleux!" Throwing herself against her grandfather's chest, she hugged him impulsively and laughed gaily, "Oh, how afraid I was that you really meant to marry me off!"
    Aghast at her attitude, gently Claude disengaged himself from Leonie's embrace. Almost tiredly he answered, "But I do intend to marry you off, ma cherie. The money is for your dowry, and I will not squander it on land that will take it and then demand more. Non! You will marry, and the money will buy you a wealthy, respectable husband who will take care of you."
    Unable to believe him, Leonie stared openmouthed, the happiness dying from her face. He is mad, she thought wildly. He must be mad! Hard, cold gold could do so much for the Chateau... and he wants to throw it away on something as useless as a husband'! She swallowed with difficulty, fighting back a nearly irresistible urge to throw a flaming tantrum the likes of which Claude had never seen. With an effort she attempted to control herself, but unable to completely suppress her emotions, she stamped one small foot with unladylike temper and demanded fiercely, "Why do you insist that I marry? You are forcing me to do something that will make me hate you for the rest of my life! Why do you do this to me?"
    "It is for your own good!" Claude shot back. "You need a husband to control you! I am too old and tired for the task and it is time you were married."
    Leonie flashed her grandfather a withering look and muttered, "Ah, bah! I do not understand you in this mood. You are an imbecile!"
    Claude merely smiled at her anger and, walking toward the door, said with chilling finality, "Perhaps so, ma petite, but you will marry, and tonight I will attend to the final details with Monsieur Slade."
    Knowing that for the moment further argument would gain her little, except the satisfaction of releasing some of the helpless rage which surged through her slender body, Leonie dropped the subject and, instead, brought up another, equally explosive one. A set look on the young face, she asked tightly, "How many more vowels did you sign last night? Is that how you met this man—over cards and drink? Did he take your vouchers too?" Scornfully she finished, "Is he a man so without honor that he takes money from a drunkard?"
    Claude's features froze and his dark eyes suddenly hard, he snapped, "Shut your mouth, you little she-devil and hear me out—I will not be questioned or dictated to by my own grandchild! Understand?"
    "Zut!" Leonie replied inelegantly, her chin tilted at a rebellious angle. "You are throwing my life away... my future... and I am to say nothing! Bah! It is my life, grand-pere, and I am fighting for it! You would do the same in my position, you must