Ashley had smiled and bowed. "I leave tomorrow for America and when I return, I shall have everything that you require—the woman and the proof of my marriage and her identity. Bonjour, monsieur."
And so, about the time that Morgan had returned to Le Petite from Baton Rouge, Ashley had already been at sea for almost three weeks. Ashley's destination was America, his only purpose once he reached New Orleans, to find Leonie Saint-Andre and take her back to France with him. At least the finding of Leonie Saint-Andre was his only purpose until he remembered that he still had a score to settle with his cousin. Perhaps, he thought slowly, while in America, I might find a way to arrange an unpleasant surprise for Morgan.
Chapter 20
When Leonie learned the next morning that Morgan had returned, she was assailed with a curious rush of pleasure. Instantly, she quelled the emotion and reminded herself sternly that Morgan was her avowed enemy and that he wasn't going to be exactly pleased when he discovered that she had struck the first blow in the battle between them by laying the matter of the dowry before a judge.
And yet, even knowing that, she couldn't quite control her wayward heart, and with fingers that trembled slightly, she dressed that morning with special care, a new sparkle in her sea-green eyes. Realizing why she was taking such care with her appearance, she immediately stopped Mercy from completing the elaborate arrangement of her curls and glared in the mirror. Mon Dieu, but I am a fool!
Ignoring Mercy's protests, she jumped up from the dressing table stool and smoothed down her gown. "I've changed my mind—I don't want you to put my hair up after all," she said, angry with herself for caring how she looked to Morgan.
She had put on the pretty lavender gown which she usually wore in the evenings, not wanting to greet her returned husband in the yellow gown she had worn so often, but her anger with herself was such that she almost even changed into the old yellow gown. Only Mercy's shriek of outrage stopped her.
Flustered at her own contradictory actions, she dismissed the maid and crossly undid Mercy's half completed work with her hair. Brushing the thick wavy mass, she made a face in the mirror. Bah! What did it matter whether her hair was fashionably arranged or not? Who would care?
Putting down the brush and feeling more in control of herself she readied herself to leave the sanctuary of her room, aware that she had dawdled overlong in the hope that she could quash the maddening bubble of excitement lodged in her chest. It apparently wasn't going to go away, but with a toss of her head, she marched from the room.
Meeting Morgan with Justin in his arms just outside the door to her rooms did nothing to restore her equilibrium. Her breath catching in her throat at the unexpected sight of him, she barely managed to stammer, "M-m-monsieur, bon jour!" Then feeling foolish she rushed on, "Mercy told me that you had returned. Did you enjoy your trip?"
Morgan hadn't known what his reactions would be when he saw Leonie again, but he had been fairly certain that anger would definitely be one of his emotions. What he hadn't expected was the painful tightening of his chest and the shocking feeling as if his heart had suddenly ceased to beat.
When he had finally fallen asleep, he had slept deeply and soundly, waking to the exuberant greeting Justin usually reserved for his mother. As soon as Justin had learned that his papa was home he had burst into the room, confident of his welcome, and had proceeded to jump and bounce on Morgan's big bed with such cheerful enthusiasm that Morgan pushed aside the thought of further sleep.
Justin was so patently delighted to see him that Morgan stilled the reprimand which had hovered on his lips and instead had found his arms full of a squirmy little boy. Hugging Morgan in a stranglehold, Justin had confessed disarmingly, "Ah, papa, I have missed you so!"
A rush of emotion so fierce that it frightened him surged through Morgan's body as Justin hugged him, and hugging the child back he was conscious of how wonderful that warm, wiggling small form felt in his arms. How wonderful and how right! And in that moment he stopped fighting. Stopped trying to find reasons for keeping himself at a distance. Momentarily, he stilled the black suspicions that swirled in his brain and let himself be charmed by Justin.
And as he dressed, with Justin chatting merrily on a stool nearby, watching every move Morgan made, it occurred to him he could simply stop fighting the entire situation. Why not give in, and see where it led? He was so damned tired of looking for hidden snares, of seeing something sinister in everything that Leonie did.
Why not give in to the attraction he knew existed between them? And, he reflected sardonically as he shrugged into a form-fitting coat of tobacco brown, wouldn't a seeming capitulation throw his little wife into disorder?
The decision had seemed so simple when he had made it that morning and yet now that he had set the plan in motion, now that he was on the brink of carrying it out, he had second thoughts. Leonie was so appealing and enchanting as she stood there before him, the tawny curls tumbling carelessly about her slim shoulders and the green eyes so beguiling between the thick silky lashes, that for at least a second, Morgan's mind went blank. Blank except for the startling knowledge that he was, he very much feared, on the brink of falling in love with this infuriating little baggage.
Unconsciously clasping Justin tighter in his arms, he said slowly and truthfully, "No, I didn't enjoy my trip." Sending her a searching glance, he added, "It would have been much more pleasant if you and our son had been with me."
Leonie's eyes flew to his, puzzlement obvious in their depths. The deep blue eyes met hers steadily and she was suddenly aware of the thick, pounding beat of her heart. Shaken by what his words might mean, she swallowed and hastily looked away from his compelling gaze, saying hurriedly, "Justin missed you. Not a day went by that he didn't wish that you were home."
Justin nodded in happy agreement, his little arms squeezing Morgan's neck. "Oui! Papa I did miss you so much!"
The strange moment of unexpected intimacy between the two had been shattered by Justin's innocent intrusion and conscious of the fact that he wasn't quite ready to examine his feelings or motives too closely, Morgan grinned at Justin and said, "And I, bratling, missed you!" Slanting a glance at Leonie, Morgan asked softly, "Did you perhaps miss me too, sweetheart?"
Leonie opened her mouth to return a scathing reply, but under Justin's interested stare she didn't dare and so in a gruff little voice, she muttered, "Oui, monsieur."
Morgan was aware of the reason behind her answer and smiling to himself, he took advantage of Justin's presence, saying with a gleam in his eyes, "I missed you too, my dear—there wasn't a moment of the time during which I was away that you and Justin weren't in my thoughts."
That his teasing remark had been closer to the truth than he would have liked annoyed him, but he didn't have to worry that he had revealed a weakness for her to use against him because the expression on Leonie's face made it apparent that she didn't believe a word of what he had said. But that she was perplexed by his actions was obvious from the baffled look she sent him.
Feeling inordinately pleased with the situation, Morgan further destroyed Leonie's composure by saying, "Justin and I were on our way to find you. We have decided to try out the new gig that arrived while I was gone, and we would like you to come with us. I've even had Mammy pack a light repast to take along."
The refusal was on her lips, but again Justin, as Morgan had known he would, leaped into the fray, "Ah, maman, you must come with us, oui? It will be most fun, just you and me and papa! Yes, you will come?" he asked eagerly.
What could Leonie say? Throwing Morgan a fulminating glance she said with far more lightness than she felt, "Of course, mon fils, I will gladly come with you."
Justin let out a happy gurgle of laughter and wiggled out of Morgan's arms. "I will tell Abraham to bring the gig around to the front of the house, oui?"
"Yes, you do that," Morgan answered easily. "Your maman and I will be right behind you, and then we shall be off for the day."
Leonie bar
ely let Justin disappear out of sight before she turned on Morgan. "You planned that!" she accused, the sea-green eyes ablaze with golden flecks.
Morgan smiled. "But of course, my dear! Can you think of anything more pleasant for us all to do?" he said innocently. "I have been gone for several days; isn't it logical that I would want to spend the day with my family after being away from them?"
Her eyes narrowed, she asked, "Did you see Dominic last night? Did he tell you that I have gone to see a judge?"
Some of Morgan's amusement fled and in a harder voice he returned, "Yes, I saw Dominic last night—I take it you did know he was sneaking into the house?"
Leonie gave him a scornful glance. "But of course, monsieur. I am not stupid!"
"No, I'll grant you that, but tell me if you will why you didn't confront him?"
Leonie shrugged. "If I had he would have found another way and it seemed simpler to let him think he was getting away with his little plan." Some of her anger fading, she asked, "Did he tell you that I had been to see Judge Dangermond?"
Taking her arm and guiding her towards the stairs, Morgan replied, "Yes, he told me."
Shooting him a glance, and seeing no sign of fury on the lean dark features, she blurted out, "And you're not angry?"
"No, I don't think I am," Morgan returned reflectively. "Enraged would be perhaps a better word."
Startled at how unemotionally he said the words Leonie nearly stumbled as they walked down the stairs, but Morgan's hand tightened on her arm preventing her from falling. The perplexity she felt written across her expressive little features, she said nothing for several seconds; then when it was apparent that he wasn't going to elaborate, she said, "You don't appear enraged, monsieur."
Morgan smiled down at her, the look in the dark-blue eyes causing her heart to race... and not with fear. There was a brief flicker of something in the depths of those blue eyes that made her conscious of his tall body walking so easily next to hers, and she glanced away in complete bewilderment. What was he up to now? Why was he being so—so... charming? Too charming, she thought with a small spurt of anger.
Aware of the confusion she felt, Morgan continued to smile at her and replied calmly, "No, I don't, do I?"
Growing a little angry at the lightness with which he was treating their reunion, as well as the news that she had laid the business of the dowry before a magistrate, she demanded fiercely, "What game are you playing at, monsieur? What do you hope to gain?"
His smile fading, the blue eyes suddenly very hard, he said grimly, "I think those are questions you would do well to ask yourself! And I should warn you, cat-eyes, that no one has ever gotten the better of me!"
They were in the main hall of the house and the butler was just swinging open the wide double doors when Morgan finished speaking. Leonie threw her husband a look of utter loathing, but she remained silent as Justin, his face alight with excitement and pleasure, came bounding through the opened doors.
"There you are!" he said excitedly. "I thought you were never coming! Hurry, hurry, Abraham says the horses are restless and that we shouldn't keep them standing."
"Abraham... or Justin?" Morgan murmured, a hint of laughter in his voice.
Justin looked guilty, but then smiling sunnily, he said, "I wanted you to hurry."
Moments later the three of them were comfortably seated in the shiny new gig and riding away from Le Petit, Justin ecstatically ensconced between Leonie and Morgan. Conversation proved to be no trouble; Justin's happy prattle covered any awkwardness that might have existed between the two adults. And by the time his rapid-fire questions and exclamations had slowed to a more normal rate, Leonie had recovered her equanimity and was able to converse just as if there were nothing of any importance on her mind.
There was a great deal on her mind though, and she couldn't help the perplexed glances she occasionally sent Morgan when she thought he wasn't aware of her. What was he up to? That question kept reverberating through her mind, even when she was smiling charmingly up at him or answering a question of Justin's.
Morgan handled the spirited pair of matched chestnut geldings effortlessly, his good mood such that he even set Justin upon his lap and let the child try his small hands at the reins. Justin was delighted and seemed disinclined to release them when Morgan had decided the road ahead required a firmer touch.
Giving Justin a smiling look, he murmured, "Soon enough, my son, you'll have your own pair but until then, you'll only drive when and for as long as I want you to."
A mutinous expression on his face, which reminded Morgan vividly of Leonie, Justin started to protest such highhanded treatment, but Leonie distracted him by saying, "Oh, look, Justin, there's a fox over there."
The possible squabble instantly forgotten, Justin watched with wide-eyed interest as a small red fox disappeared into the underbrush.
While they rode quietly down the tree-lined road, Leonie found herself relaxing more and more, a real smile now and then curving her lips at the teasing remarks Morgan directed towards Justin.
Their ride seemed aimless and after a bit Leonie asked idly, "Are we going anywhere in particular?"
"Eventually I have a destination in mind, but for the moment, no. For the moment, I am simply giving you and Justin a tour of Bonheur." Morgan answered easily.
It was a pleasant drive under the towering oaks and chestnut trees, the scent of honeysuckle now and then wafting in the warm air. Fortunately it was still fairly early, and the day had not yet reached its full heat.
Despite the nagging curiosity about their destination, Leonie enjoyed Morgan's commentary as he showed them about the plantation, and while she was still suspicious of his motives, she had to admit that he had certainly set out to please them.
It was only on their return journey to Le Petit that the first tremor of unease shot through her body. Upon reaching the house, instead of turning into the drive which led to the stables, Morgan kept the horses on the narrow road that ran in front of the house and drove smartly past the estate.
"Where are we going now?" she asked a little sharply.
Morgan grinned at her. "We haven't eaten the food that Mammy packed for us. I know of a particularly nice spot where we can have a picnic." A mocking gleam in his eyes, he murmured, "I'm certain you'll remember it."
Leonie did remember it, and filled with memories she would have given everything not to have, she let Morgan help her down from the gig.
The blue pool of water beckoned just as delightfully as she remembered; the waterfall fell just as cheerfully and the huge, leafy sycamore spread its shade softly on the mat of green clover, just as it had the day Morgan had made love to her. A flush of embarrassment staining her cheeks, she glared at him resentfully as he cheerfully laid out the quilt he had brought along and set down the basket of food.
Justin was enchanted with the place, and in no time at all, he was busily exploring under the wild plum trees and peering intently through the blackberry vines, completely oblivious to the adults.
Leonie stood stubbornly near the gig for several minutes. His jacket laid aside and comfortably lounging beneath the tree, his hands behind his dark head, Morgan said provocatively, "I'm hardly likely to attack you with Justin here. And while you're a ravishing piece of femininity, I'm afraid my hunger at the moment is for food... and not the other pleasures of the body."
Her eyes flashing, Leonie stalked over to the gaily colored quilt and plunked herself down as far away from Morgan as she could. His low chuckle of laughter and the gleam in the sapphire-blue eyes did nothing to soothe her temper.
But by the time Justin rejoined them and they had all enjoyed the delicious repast Mammy had packed—golden fried chicken, sharp yellow cheese, crusty bread, a jug of lemonade, and ripe cherries and juicy sweet strawberries, Leonie was too sated and relaxed to start any arguments.
Like a sleepy-eyed kitten she sat curled up near the edge of the quilt, halfheartedly trying to keep awake.
Justin had
already given into the temptation and he was sprawled not too far away from Morgan's feet, his small face slightly flushed from the humid heat of the day.
Idly Morgan watched Leonie try to fight off sleep and finally with a lazy laugh, in one swift smooth motion he reached over and pulled her against him. Her head resting on his chest, he said drowsily, "Go to sleep, Leonie—I intend to, and Justin already has."
Surprisingly she did just that—the heat of the day, the full stomach, and the somnolent drone of the insects all made it impossible not to. And that she slept curled next to the strong body of the man she mistrusted most in the world didn't, at the moment, seem to bother her at all.
She woke first, about two hours later, the arm that Morgan had flung over her as he slept pressing across her breasts. Gingerly, trying not to waken him, she edged his arm off her and quickly scooted a little distance away. Wide awake now, she glanced around instantly for Justin, relaxing as her eyes caught sight of him still sleeping soundly near Morgan's feet.
Irresistibly, her gaze traveled to Morgan and a curious feeling of tenderness swept over her as she watched him sleep. How different he looks, she thought tremulously, noting the way a lock of the heavy black hair lay across his brow and the shocking length of the surprisingly feminine dark lashes that shadowed his cheeks. In sleep his face was softer, far more approachable, the suspicion and hardness of those blue eyes hidden beneath his lids, the full mouth not having the grim slant to it she saw so often.
Compulsively, before she even thought of it, she reached out and gently touched the sensual curve of his bottom lip with one finger, a soft, reminiscent smile curving her own mouth. Feeling very brave with him asleep, she allowed her fingers lightly to touch the curve of one lean cheek, liking the feel of his skin under her fingertips. With a longing she was hardly aware of, she stared at him, loving him and hating him, wanting him and yet determined not to let her body rule her mind.
Justin stirred in his sleep, and not wanting him to wake Morgan, she quickly moved away, quietly hushing Justin when he would have spoken out loud. Whispering she said, "Let monsieur sleep; it was very late when he arrived last night. Shall we explore the pool?"
Deceive Not My Heart Page 29