Deceive Not My Heart by Shirlee Busbee Read Free Book Online Page B

at the windows in the same color and material giving it a striking appearance.
    Zut! But this was a nasty coil, Leonie mused unhappily as she sat staring blankly into space. Grand-pere was so stubborn at times! I must think of something soon, she decided grimly, after several minutes of furious concentration. And the first thing is those damnable vowels grand-pere has signed to Monsieur Gayoso!
    Her little face somber with determination, she reviewed the situation and found it just as daunting as ever. Surprisingly, the proposed marriage was the least of Leonie's concerns—at the moment the most important things in her mind were saving Chateau Saint-Andre and, somehow, miraculously retrieving her grandfather's gaming vowels—which would be nearly impossible. But if she could prevent grand-pere from signing more vowels... or, and she sat up alertly, if there were some way of getting her hands on any new vowels he might sign!
    Mon Dieu! If only I could! she thought fiercely. If only there was some way of snatching those little pieces of paper that would ultimately spell final ruin for them all. She frowned, unconsciously tapping her lips with one finger. What if I were to follow grand-pere to the governor's tonight? Bah! And do what, you stupid creature—beg the governor not to accept your grandfather's vowels?
    Leonie shuddered. No, she couldn't do that, not only would her grandfather never forgive her, but she wasn't so certain she could forgive herself for shaming Claude so. But I must do something! she cried silently.
    If only grand-pere would forget about this silly idea of marriage... the money he was determined to throw away on a husband could be put to so much better use, if he would only listen. And not continue to gamble, she added glumly. If he would just stay at the Chateau and oversee his lands, or let her do so, they could manage.... They could sell the townhouse, for despite its faded air the house and land it sat upon were valuable, and from its sale, not even touching the dowry, they could gain time... and who knows what would happen in a year or two? A few years of judicious economy and good crops, and they would be safe for a while. Not wealthy, not even well-to-do, but at least they would have their lands and their situation would be much better. Anything would be better than the current state of affairs, Leonie told herself cynically.
    For just a moment she thought about the marriage that Claude was so set on. What would that accomplish, she wondered scornfully. Absolutely nothing but to waste more good money! Mon Dieu, but I could shake grand-pere! If he thinks I will tamely submit to his dictates... ha! Briefly she imagined herself and the unknown Monsieur Slade standing before the priest as he read them their vows. Grand-pere would be there, Yvette, Monsieur Slade's family, and perhaps a few of the good sisters from the Ursuline convent would also be witnesses. But witness to what? Leonie giggled, picturing the expression on everyone's face when she threw herself on the mercy of the startled priest and begged dramatically for sanctuary for herself and Yvette! She smiled to herself, the green eyes dancing with amusement. And I'd do it, she vowed passionately. If grand-pere forces me to, I shall do it!
    The problem of the detestable marriage solved for the moment, Leonie once again turned her thought to her most pressing problem. Knowing, in view of their exchange this afternoon, that her grandfather was going to gamble with a reckless abandon tonight, if for no other reason than to prove to her that no one told Claude Saint-Andre what to do, she must think of a way either to stop him or to find a method of redeeming the vowels he would sign.
    There must be a way, she thought, unwilling to admit to defeat. A timid knock on the door interrupted her thoughts and scowling she snapped, "Who is it?"
    The door opened slightly and Yvette peeked her dark head around the edge, "It is only me. Has your grand-pere