mouth slanted over hers. A wave of intense sensations broke over her body. His lips had parted, demanding that she reply, and she tasted his tongue. She was shocked yet exhilarated. One of his arms encircled her waist like a steely band, while his free hand slid into her glossy curls. Through her simple frock and petticoat she was suddenly aware of something rigid pressing against the unfamiliar ache between her thighs.
A horse whinnied and stamped behind them, followed by an exasperated voice. "God's teeth! It would seem that I cannot leave you alone for a moment."
Aimée broke free and whirled around to glimpse a small, thin man with white hair. He was clad all in black and sat astride a restless dappled horse. Humiliated and confused, she instantly scrambled across the clearing to snatch up her basket; then she lifted her skirts and disappeared into the woods without a backward glance.
St. Briac stared after her and then pivoted to confront his manservant. "Gaspard, you fat wit! When will you learn some manners? Have you no sense at all?"
"More than you, I think," Gaspard LeFait replied calmly. "The king will have your head for consorting with a treasonous female if you are not at the hunting lodge in time to dress for tonight's festivities."
St. Briac grimaced. "The maiden is no traitor. She didn't realize she spoke to the king himself." Remembering, he tried to repress a smile. "Has the king told everyone what happened?"
"No, he's far too embarrassed. He related the story of your lost stag to the rest of the hunting party, but only I heard of the insults that chit heaped upon his royal head." Gaspard's lips twitched. "When you didn't follow him immediately, he bade me save you from the madwoman."
Swinging into his saddle, St. Briac gave a snort of wry laughter. "More likely he was imagining what he was missing."
Before turning Sebastien in the direction of the hunting lodge, he glanced once more at the empty clearing and felt a surprising pang of regret.
Page forward and begin the Beauvisage Novels
with Cynthia Wright's classic
Caroline
Excerpt from
Caroline
The Author's Cut Edition
Beauvisage Novel #1
by
Cynthia Wright
Chapter 1
One could hardly imagine a more perfect October day, for the autumn of 1783 had painted the Connecticut landscape in her most glorious colors. The low mountains were a riot of flaming oranges, reds, and yellows which contrasted sharply with the clear azure of the sky. The air had a clean chill to it, and Alexandre Beauvisage, winding his way between the trees astride a handsome stallion, felt very good indeed. He had been brimming with a rich euphoria for over a month now—ever since the final Peace Treaty had been signed in Paris. The last eight years of war had been long but victory made all the bloodshed and tragedy seem worthwhile. The cost of freedom had been high, but that shining prize belonged to America at last.
Granted, it had been two years since the British had laid down their arms to General Washington at Yorktown. Only the most sporadic fighting had occurred since then, and the majority of the American soldiers had been able to go home to their families long ago.
Alec grimaced when he thought back over his own life during the past two years. All through the Revolutionary War, he had only occasionally played the part of soldier; his had been a unique role tailored especially to his talents and background. He had been a mixture of spy and scout, given the trickiest and usually the most dangerous assignments. After Yorktown, Alec had been able to return to his home and business at intervals, but just as he would settle back into a normal pattern of life his services would be needed again.
"We simply can't trust anyone else to carry off this plan without being detected, Beauvisage. You are a master!" the officer in charge would declare. Alec had to admit that despite the terrible aspects of war, there was a certain thrill in the role he played. He had roamed the swamps of South Carolina with Frances Marion, captained a sleek privateer, and drunk cognac with Washington and Lafayette on the banks of the Hudson. He had been required to put his ingenuity and intelligence to full use, and the constant danger had been stimulating. Perhaps the return to full-time everyday life would prove boring?
A bright patch of color beneath a tree at the side of the trail caught Alec's attention, rousing him from his reverie. Gently, he brought his horse,