“Someday.”
“Soon?”
Catherine hugged Juliette quickly and said huskily, “Soon.” She released her friend and turned away. “Now let me leave before I start to weep and you accuse me of blubbering.” She paused at the door to ask, “Will Jean Marc and François be back tonight?”
Juliette shrugged. “Jean Marc didn’t tell me. I think if he could do so he’d sail away without returning. But he’ll want to know you’re entirely well before he leaves.”
“Then it may be just the three of us for supper.”
“Three? I thought you said the child would be here?”
“I’ve sent Philippe away for a while. It’s been a long time since he visited his family.” Catherine moved toward the door. “Vasaro doesn’t need him at present.”
“And neither does the mistress of Vasaro,” Juliette added softly.
“No, she doesn’t need him either.” Catherine experienced a strange weightlessness, as if something caged within her had been set free, and her hands tightened on the journal. “Not at all.”
Jean Marc didn’t arrive back at Vasaro until after midnight and François did not come with him.
Juliette jumped out of bed when she heard the soft thud of hoofbeats on the cork and stones of the driveway and was downstairs and throwing open the door by the time Jean Marc began climbing the steps. “Do we have a ship?”
“Ihave a ship,” Jean Marc said. “TheBonne Chanceis waiting in the harbor. François stayed in Cannes to see a port representative and smooth the way to make sure we’ll be able to sail tomorrow night.”
“It’s good that he’s making himself useful.” Juliette’s tone was abstracted as she gazed at Jean Marc. Sharp lines of weariness slashed both sides of his mouth, and it was clear he was not in a gentle temper. “Have you supped?”
“Before I left Cannes.” His gaze traveled over her. “Don’t you ever wear anything to bed but that disreputable garment?”
Juliette looked down at the full white nightgown. “Why? It was very kind of Marie to give it to me, and it’s warm and comfortable. The nights here aren’t as cool as in Paris, but there’s still—”
“Never mind.” Jean Marc shut the door and crossed the hall toward the stairs. “Good night, Juliette.”
“I’m going with you to Spain, you know.”
He stopped but didn’t turn around. “No.”
“I speak the language. She’s my mother. You need me.”
“I don’t intend to argue with you. I’m tired. All day I’ve been dealing with greedy officials I’d rather drown than bribe, and I still have to find a way of getting rid of François before I sail.”
“But youneedme.”
He turned and looked at her, and she went still as she saw his expression. “The only way in which I’d need you on this journey is to provide me with the most basic carnal comforts and, if you choose to come, that will be your function. Do you understand?”
She suddenly couldn’t breathe, and it was a moment before she could speak. “You’re threatening me?”
“No, I’m warning you. A last warning.” He smiled lopsidedly. “Only God knows why. I haven’t had awoman since I left Marseilles, and at the moment I’m every bit as hot as your lecherous Duc de Gramont.”
“He wasn’t mine. He was my mother’s.”
“For which I find I’m exceedingly grateful. But, if you’d occupied every nobleman’s bed at Versailles, I’d still invite you into mine.”
“I would think that would be most unwise. A good many of them had the French pox.”
“In my present state I assure you it would make not a whit of difference to me.”
“That would be unreasonable of you. A moment of pleasure and then a most—” She stopped and drew a deep breath. She knew her words had been flowing with a total irrationality, for she was aware only of the tingling starting between her thighs and the flush burning her cheeks.
Jean Marc’s gaze was fixed soberly on her face. “Don’t do it, Juliette. I find myself in the odd position of respecting you, which is not at all common for me. For once in my life I’m trying to forget about what I want and let you go free. It’s no mean sacrifice on my part.” He paused. “You were right. I’ve never loved a woman and never intend to do so. It’s all a game to me and, once I start it, I have to win. I never give up until I do. Take my advice and escape. Unless you want our relationship to culminate in the usual pleasurable manner, you’ll stay at Vasaro.” He started up the stairs. “And if you do decide to come, I wouldn’t advise you to bring that abominable nightgown for which you have such a fondness. The very first thing, I’d throw it over the side.”
