Luc smiled down at her. “My very wise sister-in-law gave me some journals that helped.”
Jules reached them just then, a giant grin on his face.
“This is Isabelle!” Sabine told him and hugged her again, as more waves splash against them.
Jules placed a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “I don’t know how to thank you enough for finding Isabelle and for bringing her here.”
Luc shrugged, smiling good-naturedly. “No need to thank me. My wife and I wanted to pay you a visit. There is much to catch up on and discuss.”
“Wife?” The older Moutier brother turned to her, still sporting his big grin, kissed her hand, and said, “Welcome to the family. I am thrilled you are both here.”
“Thank you,” she said.
“Pardon me. Is there a reason the four of you are having a conversation in the sea?” a handsome man called out from shore, his arm around a beautiful dark-haired woman whose eyes were filled with tears watching their emotional exchange. Sabine was back to hugging Isabelle. She laughed and said, “That is Simon Boulenger and his wife, Angelica. We are all delighted he found someone to steal his heart. Now, come. I can’t wait to let our family know you’re here.” Sabine held her hand as they made their way to the beach.
The tender reached the shore just then, and Gabriel jumped out, racing to her. He was instantly showered with affection from his very wet aunt and uncle, who told him about his cousins awaiting them at home—Isabelle and two-month-old Luc.
They walked out of the water toward the crowd that was eager to greet them. Isabelle couldn’t wait to see the rest of her family.
“Good Lord. Is that some sort of small horse?” Jules asked.
“No. He’s a dog,” Luc assured his brother. “He’s part of the family and he likes human beds.”
“And chicken,” Gabriel supplied.
Simon slapped Luc’s brother on the back with a laugh. “Glad he will be staying with you, Jules.”
Isabelle walked hand in hand with her sister and Luc toward the waiting carriages as Gabriel gleefully raced back and forth along the beach with Montague.
Her heart was full.
Her world now complete.
A Historical Tidbit
I have a confession to make.
I didn’t make up the character of Nicole de Grammont.
You see, several years ago, when I first read about an extraordinary woman named Ninon (Anne) de Lenclos (1620-1705), a French courtesan, a writer, later in life a teacher (teaching the art of lovemaking to men), I knew she had to be a character in one of my books. She was educated, witty, smart, and loved sex unabashedly. Rising from modest beginnings, she amassed wealth and respectability in a world that was ruled by men and strict moral authority from the Church. She made no apologies for her life or her beliefs. She purposely refused to marry to remain independent.
She knew how to draw men of consequence to her and knew how to keep their interest. She put her wealthy lovers into categories: those she had sex with for a price. And those she favored and had sex with for free. Men were always trying to get into the latter group (naturally) and stay there—by using charm and funds. She was sought after by men well into her sixties. It was reported that one of the most powerful men in France, Cardinal Richelieu, once offered her a small fortune to spend the night with her. She kept the money and sent a friend to spurn his offer, because she wasn’t attracted to him. It’s been said that she told him, “If you are a great lover, this is too much money. But if you aren’t, this isn’t nearly enough.” When she had children, a number of noblemen came forward to claim the babes as their own and provided for them. She died at eighty-four, having lived life by her own rules.
The poetess Isabella di Morra really existed too. Her tragic life and the poetry she left behind, as mentioned in this book, were all true. Paul de Brilhac and Nicolas de la Toison were the names of real judges in France during this time.
As to the court proceedings in this novel, court battles for custody of minors—especially children with significant inheritances—were not uncommon in France during the 17th century. Many family members would attempt to gain custody of the child, and control of their fortune, sadly, not always for the benefit of the child in question. Greed was not invented in modern times.
If this is your first Fiery Tale and are wondering why I set it during the reign of the Sun King, Louis XIV of France? Louis was a lusty king. His glittering court was as salacious as it was elegant. It was during this very time period that the father of fairy tales, Charles Perrault, author of The Tales of Mother Goose, wrote stories that have delighted generations: Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Little Red Riding Hood, to name a few. Three Reckless Wishes is based on his famous fairy tale Three Foolish Wishes. Many believe it’s where the saying, “Careful what you wish for,” may have originated. I hope you enjoyed your time with Luc and Isabelle in the opulent time when fairy tales were born!
Much love,
Lila
Glossary
Antechamber—The sitting room in a lord’s or lady’s private apartments (chambers) within their hôtel or château.
Caleçons—Drawers/underwear.
Cabinet—Office. A room often found in a lord’s or lady’s private chambers/apartments. Some cabinets were so large, they were used for private meetings.
Chambers—Another word for private apartments. A lord’s or lady’s chambers consisted of a bedroom, a sitting room, a bathroom, and a cabinet (office). Some chambers were bigger and more elaborate than others.
Chambre de Justice—Chamber of Justice.
Chère—Dear one. (French endearment for a woman, cher for a man).
Chérie—Darling or cherished one. (French endearment for a woman, chéri for a man).
Comte/Comtesse—Count/Countess.
Dieu—God.
Duc/Duchesse—Duke/Duchess.
Hôtel/Château—The upper class and the wealthy bourgeois (middle class) often had a city mansion in Paris (hôtel) in addition to their palatial country estate(s) (château).
Lettre de Cachet—Orders/letters of confinement—without trial—signed by the King with the royal seal (cachet).
Merde—Shit.
Ma belle—My beauty. (French endearment for a woman).
Palais de Justice—Palace of Justice/courthouse.
Salle de Bain—Bathroom. A small room located in one’s private apartments/chambers in either a château or hôtel. The room usually had a fireplace, a tub, and a toilet (that looked like a chair with a chamber pot). The room was small on purpose so that the fire from the fireplace would keep the space warm while one bathed.
Seigneur Dieu—Lord God.
Vicomte/Vicomtesse—Viscount/Viscountess
Read an Excerpt of Undone
*A USA TODAY Bestseller!*
Inspired by the tale of Rapunzel, Lila DiPasqua offers a steamy, emotionally charged historical romance in the acclaimed Fiery Tales Series…Rescuing this beauty from the ‘tower’ is only the beginning…
Maintaining her ruse as a commoner, and trusting no one has kept Angelica safe. But a chance encounter with a handsome stranger lands her right where danger lies. Now, this sinfully handsome man with arresting blue eyes and a polished manner thinks he’s saved her life, when in fact he’s placed her in great peril. She’s intent on keeping him and everyone else at arm’s length. Yet, the smoldering attraction between them is difficult to deny. And impossible to ignore…
As commander of a number of privateer ships, Simon Boulenger dresses and speaks like an aristocrat, and has obtained wealth. But he is still not a noble. Or an officer in the King’s Navy. His lifelong dream to elevate himself from his station of birth and attain a respectable place in society is dead. Worse, he’s ensnared in a deadly scheme, and must get out.
But how is he to stay focused on his dangerous mission when the mysterious beauty has him utterly intrigued? He can’t afford the distraction any more than he can resist the carnal hunger she
stirs. Simon soon discovers that she’s not only a passionate soul mate, but a woman born into privilege. A woman he can never have. But they’re in too deep. Their hearts are at risk…as well as their lives.
*****
Simon approached her slowly, his brow slightly furrowed.
Unable to stop herself, Angelica took in his male beauty. He, not the books, now dominated the room. How was it possible that he looked even better than before?
A few wayward strands of his dark hair played against his lashes, but it was his mouth that captured her attention.
Such an appealing mouth…
She looked away, horrified by the workings of her mind. It had to be her headache that was distorting her thinking.
He stopped before her, towering over her.
The bookshelves against her back kept her fixed in place. She was keenly aware of the limited space between their bodies, his proximity causing her body to warm.
“I asked you a question.” His voice was quiet but firm.
Gazing up at him, she tried to clear her head by taking in a deep breath, but it only served to draw in his wonderful scent. She couldn’t quite describe it, but it was tantalizing in the extreme.
What was the matter with her? She shouldn’t be reacting to him this way. She’d chosen a cloistered existence, or rather, it had chosen her. Nonetheless, she’d accepted her future long ago.
“You should not be wandering about alone.” He spoke softly, his voice deep and rich in her ears. It reverberated through her belly with wicked appeal. Lightly, he stroked his knuckles along her bruised cheek. “You should be in bed. You are still injured.”
She closed her eyes briefly. Get hold of yourself. This was the second time he’d touched her. Instead of drawing back, as she would have expected, she found herself wanting to draw near. It was a stunning reaction. As stunning as the tiny tingles that sped up her spine at his caress.
“My malady has much improved,” she said, hoping she didn’t sound as discomposed as she felt.
He lowered his arm and his gaze.
It took two wild heartbeats before she realized he was staring at something on the floor. She forced her gaze down, her insides still quivering with the residual pleasure of his small caress. The book she had dropped lay on the woven rug.
He was staring at her again, one dark eyebrow slightly cocked, before he retrieved the fallen item.
“You–I’m afraid that you startled me, and the book–I dropped it…” Definitely not your most eloquent response, Angelica. She turned her gaze away to a safer sight than the far too attractive Simon de Villette.
“You can read this?” he asked.
Her eyes darted back to his. The book was in French. She wasn’t about to divulge that she could indeed read every word in the book of love sonnets. In fact, she was gripped with the most powerful urge to devour each and every beautifully romantic line.
She quashed the silly yearning.
“No. It’s written in French, is it not? I couldn’t possibly…” His penetrating gaze made her uneasy. She wished she could read his thoughts behind those disarming light-colored eyes.
“But you can read, Angelica.” Yet again he managed to unbalance her by the way he spoke her name. It was astonishing what it did to her insides every time he said it.
He’d done nothing but show kindness toward her. His manner was gentle, attentive. His words spoke of concern for her welfare. Yet she was forced to stoop to deceit. She simply couldn’t lower her guard. Not for a moment. Not with a single soul. Keeping her secrets had kept her safe. And she wasn’t about to break with precedent.
Besides, this man was dangerous. No one had ever inspired these physical responses from her before. The sooner she left France, the better.
“I learned to read at the convent,” she lied. Again. “I teach there…the children in the orphanage…” At least that was the truth, albeit clumsily told.
He placed the book back on the shelf. “Why?”
“Why?” She knitted her brow in confusion.
“Yes. Of what use is it to teach the children of commoners?” Despite his words, she had the distinct feeling he was not expressing his personal view of literacy and the lower class. He was trying to draw information from her.
She chose her next words carefully. “At the convent, we believe everyone should have the opportunity of an education, noble or peasant. Male or female.”
“Your pardon, Captain.” The French phrase came from the doorway.
Relief washed over her when she saw the old male servant standing at the threshold of the library.
“Your meal awaits you in the dining hall, sir.”
Simon gave a nod. “Merci, Henri.” He turned to her. “Have you eaten?”
“No…”
He smiled. “Good. Then you will join me this evening for supper.” He tossed out phrases to Henri in French, ordering him to set another place in the dining hall.
Though she’d wanted to speak to him, the thought of dining alone with him was daunting. She seemed to be completely out of sorts in his presence at the moment, struggling to get her mind and mouth to work together.
“Perhaps Gabriella would like to join us?” she said with a polite smile. If he would summon her friend, she was certain she could get through the meal and convince him to return them to the convent.
“She has already eaten. We are the last to dine this evening.” Amusement flickered in his eyes. “Are you nervous to be alone with me, Angelica?”
“No.” Her smile remained frozen on her face. “Of course not.” He didn’t frighten her. Though her reactions to his physical appeal were another matter altogether.
“Do you find my company unpleasant? Would you rather dine alone?”
“Unpleasant? No, absolutely not,” she quickly assured, wishing at the moment he were old, potbellied, and missing some teeth. “I would be pleased to dine with you, if you consider this suitable attire.” She touched her garb.
A slow, gorgeous, knee-weakening smile formed on his appealing face. He leaned in, and in her ear softly he said, “You are beautiful just as you are.”
His unexpected words astounded her. As did the look in his eyes when he pulled back. He actually looked…sincere. No one had offered her a compliment, not for a very long time. And certainly not about how she looked. She touched her plain garment once more, so different from his costly attire. He was being far too kind.
He placed her hand in the crook of his arm. “Let us proceed. This will be an excellent opportunity to learn more about each other.”
Oh God…
Fiery Tales Series
THANK YOU for reading THREE RECKLESS WISHES!
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Novellas
SLEEPING BEAU
LITTLE RED WRITING
BEWITCHING IN BOOTS
THE MARQUIS’S NEW CLOTHES
THE LOVELY DUCKLING
THE PRINCESS AND THE DIAMONDS
Anthologies
AWAKENED BY A KISS
THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED
Full-length novels
A MIDNIGHT DANCE
UNDONE
THREE RECKLESS WISHES
Holiday Novella
THE DUKE’S MATCH GIRL
Lila DiPasqua is a USA TODAY bestselling author of historical romance with heat. She lives with her husband, three children and two rescued dogs and is a firm believer in the happily-ever-after. You can find her on BookBub, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads!
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