Louis shifted in his chair. “There have been some changes due to the ongoing situation with the cargo thefts and destruction of vessels. But do not worry, the department is doing its best to capture the villain.”
“Well, that is good to hear. If I notice anything unusual, I will let you know.”
“Thank you, Uncle. You have always been helpful.”
The men talked for the next half hour before André took his leave, and Louis made his way to bed.
The next morning, they had an early breakfast and made ready to leave. Louis was handing Colette into the carriage when one of his couriers rushed up to him. “I have a message for you, sir.”
“Thank you.” It must be urgent. Louis read the note. “Damnation.” He punched the side of the coach.
Colette stuck her head out the window. “What is it?”
“A munitions shipment that was being transported by train has been stolen.”
“Where?”
“Rouen. It’s about a day’s ride west of Paris.”
“What are you going to do?
He sighed. “Nothing. General Lochte will investigate. We need to focus on the coming week.” Louis entered the carriage and shouted to the coachman to drive on. It would take several hours to get to the estate, plus the need to change horses. With any luck, they would make it there by mid-afternoon.
Louis and Colette spent the journey speaking of mundane things: the weather, books, anything to pass the time. They stopped at an inn around noon to eat before beginning the last leg of the trip.
At last, they came to the estate. Two majestic oaks guarded the entrance. Since it was summer, the trees had spread their green leaves in salutation. On either side of the drive, lush, green, beautifully manicured lawns led up to the main house. The estate had been in his family for generations. The staff was gathered on the steps. Mrs. Moreau, his housekeeper at Alsace, kept the tradition of the staff greeting him when he had been absent a long period of time.
As they neared, Louis noticed Colette’s expression change. Her face was drawn and pale.
“Are you all right, my dear?”
She took a breath. “I did not expect they would be waiting for us.”
“Mrs. Moreau likes to be respectful when I arrive, so she has the staff welcome me.”
“But I am with you this time.”
“Why should that make any difference?”
Colette stumbled over her words. “Because I am not your wife, they will assume I’m your…” Her voice trailed off.
“My mistress?”
She nodded her head.
“I have already informed Mrs. Moreau that you are arriving with me and that you are assisting me on a special case. I’m sure she has informed the staff of the same. You have nothing to worry about, Colette.” He placed his hand on her leg. “They will treat you with respect. I have unusual guests more often than you think.”
“Truly?”
“Yes. As a matter of fact, about two years ago my friend Phillip and his now-wife were here. They were being chased by a band of Russians across the continent because Charlotte had information they wanted. She came riding up the drive like the devil himself was chasing her. The staff took it in stride. Believe me, your presence is nothing unusual.”
She laughed. Some of the tension left her shoulders. “Goodness, Louis. You certainly live an exciting life.”
“Not all the time. It is usually quite dull, with a little adventure thrown in now and then. Of course, this war on the peninsula has made things more interesting. I’m hoping once we win the war, things will go back to normal.”
“You will return to your life as a gentleman, charming the ladies and beating the men at cards, no doubt.”
“And what will you do, Colette, once our assignment is complete?” He said with a pointed stare. Louis wished he could read minds in that instant and know the secrets of her heart.
She did not have time to answer. The carriage had come to a stop in front of the house.
***********
Colette was relieved when the carriage stopped before she could answer Louis’s question. What was he getting at? Was he asking if she wanted to continue their relationship? The answer to the question would have to wait. For now, there were introductions to be made. The guests would arrive in two days, and there was much to do.
Louis introduced her to the house staff. After she handed her cloak and hat to a maid, the housekeeper led Colette to her room. Per Louis’s instructions, she was given the best set of rooms, after the master chambers, of course. First was the bedroom itself, with a spacious bed covering most of the far wall. The view from the windows looked onto the back gardens, which were in full bloom. There was a lovely sitting area by the fire, and a writing desk and chair occupied the opposite wall. Then there was the adjourning dressing room, with a bath and all the amenities a proper French woman could ask for. It seemed a lot to have on hand for a country estate.
“Are the rooms always so well kept?” she asked the maid unpacking her luggage.
“The master sent specific instructions for this room, mademoiselle. All the linens and sheets are brand new, the bath was redone, and they shipped all the toiletries from Paris.” The maid took Colette’s clothes out of the trunk and hung them in the wardrobe.
“Monsieur de Coligny ordered all of this for me?”
“Oui, mademoiselle.”
Louis had taken the time to make sure her rooms were specially handled. Her heart gave a slight jump. At every turn, Louis gave her more reasons to want to fall in love with him. It would make leaving even harder when the time came, as she knew it would. They were from different walks of life. There was no way it could work. Colette sighed. To take her mind off things, she helped the maid as they talked about the local gossip.
After the unpacking was finished, Colette went downstairs. The housekeeper, Mrs. Moreau, offered to give her a tour of the lower floors, to which Colette readily agreed. She found out Louis’s family had originally built the chateau in the 1600s with some renovations done over the years. The house had sustained quite a bit of damage during the Revolution. Louis’s father had carried out the most recent changes, including the addition of gas lighting. His mother had been responsible for making the gardens what they were currently. Colette glanced outside at the beautiful rows of flowers. There were multiple topiaries scattered at intervals down both sides of the gravel walkway.
After they concluded the tour, Colette went for a stroll in the gardens. Since she had spied them from her bedroom window, she had wanted to walk down the fragrant lane and take in the aromas. Her thoughts elsewhere, Colette did not notice Louis standing right in her path. His broad chest brought her back to the present. They looked at each other and laughed. It felt good to laugh, like it was a foreign sensation.
When she had bumped into Louis, he had caught her in his embrace so she would not fall. His hands rested on her waist. Suddenly, Colette felt the heat of his touch and his lustful stare. His eyes turned hazy while one hand traveled up her spine, leaving a trail of yearning in its path.
Unable to resist the impulse, she leaned into Louis’s hard body. It was the only encouragement necessary for him to bring his mouth down on hers. The kiss spoke of raw, urgent need. She had not realized how much she ached for Louis until he touched her. Without a word he guided her behind a small greenhouse hidden from view of the house.
He sprinkled kisses on her face and down to her collarbone. His hands cradled her face as he took her mouth again, thrusting his tongue inside her. A breathy groan left her lips as she welcomed him. The feel and taste of his tongue made Colette crave him inside her in other ways. His probing tongue demanded a response. She stuck her tongue into his mouth, rewarded by his growl of approval. Her body was on fire, and her slick entrance hungered for his cock.
Growing bold, she placed her hand over his bulge, rubbing until she heard Louis swear. “Christ Colette, you drive me mad.”
“I’m glad.” Sh
e breathily responded.
“I need you, darling. I ache for you.”
“Then take me, Louis. I’m yours.”
“Lift up your skirts.”
She did as he asked, without question. It was madness. Even with the dying light of the day, she feared the servants would discover them. But in this moment, she cared not. All that mattered was Louis and her raging desire to be with him.
Once she hiked her skirts, Louis kneeled in front of her. What was he doing? Her question was answered when he found the slit in her drawers. His fingers swept over her damp curls, and her muscles quivered in expectation. He teased her with gentle caresses at first, then, with both hands, he opened her sweet petals, so she was exposed to him. The juices from her cunny dripped, just from him looking at her. Then, to her surprise, he leaned forward and placed his mouth over her mound.
A cry escaped as his tongue plunged into her channel. The cool evening air against her flesh contrasted with his warm tongue and combined to a combustible level. It was too much. Louis was working her into a frenzy. She needed more. As if reading her mind, Louis rubbed her clitoris with his finger, as his tongue continued to feast. Her entire being vibrated in response until a rippling wave of ecstasy shot through her. The orgasm reverberated through her body as his name was ripped from her lips.
Louis did not relent. Before one climax ended, another was building. She grabbed Louis’s hair, pulling him closer, asking for release. He increased the pressure of both his finger and tongue until she rode his mouth to completion.
As she sighed in satisfaction, Louis’s mouth was on hers. The taste of her release covered his lips. She placed her arms around his neck as he freed his cock from his breeches. With one swift motion, he entered her. Without a moment’s pause Louis lifted Colette so both of her legs encircled his waist, and she rode his staff. Each time he pounded into her the friction teased her sensitive nub until she was orgasming again. The silky heat of her folds captured his prick, holding him tenderly in her embrace. Louis pressed further, filling her with all he could give. She could not deny it; she had fallen in love.
CHAPTER 19
God, Colette was magnificent, with her wet pussy milking his cock and her face a mask of passion. Louis could not help but feel possessive. They were meant to be together. No one else would ever taste her lips or have her bestow one of her radiant smiles their way. He had not planned to take her in the garden. When he had seen her walking toward him, a maelstrom of lust had all but knocked him over. Every time he was with her, he discovered something new. This time, it had been the way her brows scrunched together when she was deep in thought. In the reverie of her walk, Colette had not noticed him, but when her body had contacted with his, an explosion of need had ignited, and he had not been able to help himself.
Her cream had tasted sweet on his lips. He could have feasted between her legs forever, but his shaft had other plans. Now, he drove into her over and over, each time bringing them closer to oblivion. With each thrust, she took in every inch of him.
He tried to restrain himself from coming, but the tightness in his bollocks increased. The mix of her warm body against his and her titillating purrs made it difficult to hold back. No woman had ever felt so good, so perfect in his arms. At the realization, he was lost. He gritted his teeth against the oncoming sensation, powerless to stop it this time. The intensity of his release was violent and virile. A throaty cry of possession sounded as he marked Colette as his. He pounded into her, filling her with his seed.
At the same time Colette clenched around his cock one last time as she came apart in his arms. Their bodies shuddered, blasted by the intensity of their climaxes. He held her as they caught their breath. He cupped a hand on the side of her face. Colette’s eyes sparkled, and a content smile lit her face. Without a word, Louis bent and took one last drink of her lips. He laid her head against his chest. The rise and fall of her chest on his made him want to stay like this forever.
Colette’s body shivered, making him realize it was time to go inside. He placed her legs back on the ground and held her until she had her bearings.
“Thank you,” she said shakily.
“You’re welcome.” There was not much to say after what they had just shared.
He turned to give her a minute to right herself before escorting her back to the house. Colette excused herself to her room before returning for dinner. Both were more relaxed that evening. After their first sexual coupling there had been some distance between them. Now, Louis felt as if things were the way they should be. She read to him as she laid next to him on the couch later that night. As the melodious words flowed from her lips, Louis caressed her leg. They were content. It was enough to just be together.
Louis rose early the next morning. Although they would have guests arriving tomorrow, there were some errands he wanted to do around the estate and in the neighboring area. He left a message for Colette that he would be back after lunch.
Although Louis spent most of his time in Paris, he still made sure the estate ran efficiently. He had a capable estate manager, but he liked to check on things when he was in residence. While making rounds, he stopped and spoke with the farmers, listened to any concerns, and offered congratulations for any new arrivals, both in the family or the farmyard.
*******
Colette spent the morning examining the guest bedrooms and the rest of the house, making sure all was in order. She knew it was not necessary, given how expertly the household was run, but Mrs. Moreau asked that Colette see if all met her approval. Even though she was not the lady of the house, the older woman treated her as such.
Next, she sat with the cook and went over menus, giving suggestions. They made the final preparations for the entertainment. Silver was polished, and glassware was cleaned until it sparkled. The staff was in their element.
“It’s been a long time since the master has held any entertainment, not since the mistress passed,” the cook said as they finished.
“I would think Monsieur de Coligny, being so popular, would give parties all the time,” Colette responded.
“The master likes his quiet and privacy when he’s here. We get occasional visitors, usually having to do with the master’s work in town, but otherwise he keeps to himself.”
“What was it like when his wife was alive? Did she like having parties?”
What type of woman did Louis find attractive? If she acted more like his wife, would he love her? Louis already appeared to have a tendresse for her. Surely there was no reason to feel jealous of a woman long gone.
The cook paused. “Madame was a quiet woman. It amazed us sometimes that such a timid thing would attract the master. He’s so boisterous and full of life, but when he was with her, he was different. She liked it here. She never wanted to go to town. The master would leave her here when he went to Paris, but he would return as soon as he could.”
Odd, indeed. Louis was charming and vivacious. It seemed unusual for him to have married someone whose character was so opposite to his own. Colette had more questions than ever about the woman who had captured Louis’s heart. She did not know why it mattered so much to her. Perhaps because she had fallen in love with him. On the few times he had mentioned his wife, she had noticed how his voice had softened, a far off look on his face. He must have loved her very much to devote his life to avenging her. He was a noble man indeed, and her heart was lost to him.
“It sounds like he loved her very much.”
“They were a pair. It was devastating when she passed. The master found her that morning. I remember watching him carry her body into the house. I have never seen a man so broken.” The old cook sniffled.
“But now there is a change in the master,” Mrs. Moreau added.
Colette peered at the housekeeper. “What do you mean?”
“There is a spark in his eyes, especially when he looks at you, my dear. It is the look of a man in love.”
“You must be mistaken.” Her pulse raced a
t hearing someone give voice to her deepest wish.
“I’m old enough to know, and the master has feelings for you.” The housekeeper grinned.
Colette needed time to think. It was too much at once. Her primary focus had to be the upcoming party.
“I think I shall take a walk through the house.”
“You should visit the portrait gallery. The windows look onto the front lawn. It's lovely in the afternoon light. Plus, it is sure to be empty.” Mrs. Moreau gave her a knowing smile. “There is a painting there of the late mistress, since you are interested in knowing about her. You cannot miss it—it’s the last painting in the row.”
With a nod, Colette left the kitchen and went up the stairs. She aimlessly wandered through the impressive rooms. A peek in the ballroom showed the staff had been hard at work. The wooden floor shined from the polish. The windows sparkled from a recent wash. If she listened hard enough, Colette could almost hear the opening strains of the first dance. In a few days, she would be in here with Louis, dancing and conversing with their guests. No, not guests, she reminded herself—potential conspirators, traitors to their country.
She moved on to the next room and the next until she stood before a long hall lined with paintings. The portrait gallery. Colette made her way down, stopping to study each subject, trying to guess the period of each painting. Eventually she came to the last portrait. One glance and the color drained from her face. A wave of nausea threatened to overtake her. Suddenly her legs were too weak, and she sank to the ground. A cry escaped, but it did not help to ease the tightness in her chest. Dear God, what had she done?
CHAPTER 20
Time seemed to stand still, and a coldness seeped into her bones. Colette’s mind tried to comprehend the revelation after seeing the picture. She had no idea how long she sat on the floor. The next thing she knew, a hand touched her shoulder. She whipped her head up to meet Louis’s concerned expression.
The Secret to a Spy’s Heart: A Steamy Victorian Historical Spy Series (Romancing Intrigue Book 4) Page 16