“Scrubbing?”
“Why not? Robert and Marie are no longer in their first youth, and we must not bring any other servants into the house. I’m very good at scrubbing floors. I did it all the time at the abbey.” Her hand fell away from her cheek. “I can wash it off later. One smudge doesn’t matter.”
“No, it doesn’t matter.” Jean Marc doubted he would have noticed if she was as painted as the savages brought back from the wilds of America. He had always loved her skin, roses and cream with a texture glowing as if burnished by a loving hand. The night before in the candlelight she had been all tumbled shining curls and curious brown eyes, brave and impatient in her white, high-necked, long-sleeved gown. This morning the strong sunlight streaming through the windows revealed a Juliette of enticing beauty. The shabby brown wool gown she wore hugged her small waist and fitted snugly over the slight swell of her breasts. She was of medium height but appeared taller, for she carried herself boldly, proudly, and with a grace at once impetuous and defiant.
Christ, he could feel himself harden just looking at her. So much for her shield of innocence and dependence.
Her gaze as she lifted her head to face him was as defiant as her bearing. “You should have listened to me last night, you know.”
“I make it a practice never to give attention when it’s demanded of me. I react much more kindly to requests.” He smiled faintly. “You should have said, ‘Jean Marc,s’il vous plaît,’or ‘Jean Marc, would you beso kind?’ Then I’m sure I’d never have been able to resist hearing what you had to say.”
To his amazement, her cheeks turned scarlet. “Don’t be ridiculous. Perhaps your mistresses speak to you withs’il vous plaits, but you’ll never hear from me.”
“No?” He lifted his brow. “How unfortunate. Then I fear you’ll get far less than you would like from me.”
“I don’t want anything from—” She stopped and drew a deep breath. “I know you’re mocking me. You like to play with words, to thrust and then step back and watch, don’t you?”
“Do I?” At the moment the only thrusting he was interested in had nothing to do with words. He wished she looked less challenging and more vulnerable. He found it difficult to remember her recent suffering when he was experiencing his own immediate painful physical response.
“I think so.” Her hands clenched into tight fists at her sides. “I can’treadyou. I’m not sure what you’re thinking. It’s even worse than when we were at the inn.”
“A mirror. I think that’s what you once called me.” He tilted his head. “No, I believe it was an entire gallery of mirrors. I suppose I should be grateful you granted me a multiplicity of images.”
“You’re laughing at me.” She lifted her chin. “You see, I’m learning. I’ll find a way to know you.”
“I could suggest a number of fascinating ways to accomplish that goal, but until such a felicitous time I suggest you try‘s’il vous plaît, Jean Marc.’”
She looked hurriedly away. “No, I couldn’t—” She broke off as she looked back at him and found him still watching her intently. She drew a deep breath and then slowly let it out. “What are you going to do about Catherine?”
He was suddenly filled with self-disgust. What was wrong with him? Danger existed all around them and he could think only of his pleasure in rutting with her. His mocking smile vanished. “I’ll get Catherine out of Paris as soon as possible. She’ll be safe at Vasaro.”
He had spoken only of Catherine, he realized at once.Merde, he couldn’t actually be thinking of keepingJuliette in Paris, where she would be in constant danger, just because he lusted after her.
“I’m not sure she’ll ever be safe.” Juliette shivered. “You don’t know Dupree.”
“No, I’ve seen him a time or two at the Hôtel de Ville with Marat, but we’ve never been introduced.” Jean Marc’s gaze narrowed on her face. “But you clearly know him very well indeed. What happened at the Abbaye de la Reine, Juliette?”
“You know. I told you about Catherine.”
“But not about Juliette.”
Her glance slid away. “There’s nothing to tell.”
“I believe there may be a great deal to tell.”
“Why are you asking me these questions? It’s Catherine who’s important.”
“So I’ve been told.” Jean Marc paused. “All right, let’s talk about Catherine. You’re worried that Dupree might pursue her to Vasaro?”
“If he finds out she’s one of the students from the abbey. He wants no witnesses to refute the charges against the nuns.”
“Then we’ll have to make sure he doesn’t find out. As soon as it’s safe, she’ll go to Vasaro.”
“I want her to leave right away. She needs to get away from everything that could remind her of the abbey. You don’t understand.” Juliette’s teeth pressed hard into her lower lip. “I’m afraid for her here. For the last two days she’s been like a spirit, walking around in a dream. She shuts me out. She shuts everyone out.”
“She’ll recover in time. I have no intention of sending her through the barriers until it’s safe.”
“And what will make it safe?”
