Page 55 of Rogue Lyon

“It’s beautiful, and the crest, on the horse’s cover, it is a double-headed eagle. Shouldn’t that mean something?”

“Yes, it’s the House of Habsburg.”

“Oh…I…didn’t know.”

“And this is a painting I’ve heard of but never seen. The artist never signed it, but apparently, the duchess’s godfather, the King of France at the time, had it commissioned.”

“It’s beautiful.” Meredith let out a sigh of admiration and leaned closer. “Truly incredible. The colors, the faces of everyone, the knight and the duchess he’s meeting for the first time… I’m guessing that is the case.”

“Yes, he’d just ridden from Vienna to marry her.”

“It’s captured something…as though they’ve fallen in love at first sight.”

Jules reached for her hand and squeezed. “I agree and…” He swallowed a lump of emotion. “And I have to have it.”

“But you’ve just bought a painting—”

“That I will likely sell for a handsome price. This one, I will keep for myself. It is my ancestry.”

“A distant ancestry.”

“A bloodline is a bloodline.”

“Maximilian walked away from a pregnant woman many years ago in your family tree,” Meredith said. “Is it something you will always hold on to?”

“As my father did?”

“And when will that resentment, that bitter sense of injustice, die?”

He frowned and turned away, searching for Belmont as an excuse to end the uncomfortable line of questioning. “Ah, kind sir.” He held up his hand to a member of staff. “I will take this one too.”

Chapter Thirteen

Notre Dame was one of the most beautiful buildings Meredith had ever visited. She walked around the huge cathedral for so long, her neck creaked from admiring the stained-glass windows and the magnificent ceiling.

“Do you like it?” Jules asked.

“It’s wonderful, so vast yet still intimate, and every corner, every nook and cranny, is full of art or sculpture or candles.” She shook her head in wonder. “It is one of the most amazing places I have ever been to in my life. Thank you for bringing me here.”

“I’m glad you like it.” His lips brushed her cheek.

“Jules.” She glanced around. “We are in a place of worship.”

“Then we should leave because if God can hear the thoughts I’m having about what I’d like to do to you later, in the bedchamber, I’ll be damned to hell for all of time.”

Shock bristled through Meredith for a split second and then the emotion erupted as a giggle. She slapped her hand over her mouth. “Honestly, you’re incorrigible.”

“Only because you’re so pretty.”

He slotted her hand into the crook of his elbow and led her from the cathedral.

A smile spread on Meredith’s face. She felt alive, adored, wanted, and…and in love.

“I have an idea,” Jules said after glancing at his pocket watch. “Why don’t we pay a visit to a little Café-chantant I know?”

“A what?” She laughed.

“A singing café. Most fun, I can assure you.”