Page 61 of Echo in the Wind

“Voilà, we have arrived.” He stepped down from the carriage and turned to assist her with one hand while he held the package the modiste had given him in the other.

The front door opened, and a man and woman stepped out. The plump woman waited by the door, but the slender man came to Donet’s side.

“Bienvenue, Monsieur. Your crew sent word from Guernsey that you would be along, but we were unsure when to expect you.”

“I wasn’t certain myself, Vernier.” Donet turned to Joanna. “Allow me to introduce my valet, Vernier.

To Joanna, the man appeared a dour but efficient sort, the kind she’d encountered in many homes of the English aristocracy. Her brother’s valet had the same air about him. “Bonjour, Vernier.”

“This is Lady Joanna West, Vernier. She will be my guest while I am in Lorient.”

The valet bowed. “At your service, Mademoiselle.”

Donet leaned in to share with her a salient fact. “Like Bouchet, Vernier chooses not to go to sea and Gabe is happy to take his place.”

“’Tis the mal de mer,” the valet muttered in explanation.

Donet handed the package he carried to the valet. “For Mademoiselle’s bedchamber.” Then he pressed his hand into the small of her back and urged her forward. “The harbor views are best seen from the rear of the house.” His warm hand touching her back had its effect, making her sensitive to his touch as he guided her toward the door.

The woman who waited smiled at the approach of her master.

He took the woman’s large upper arms in his hands and gave her a resounding kiss on each cheek.

The woman blushed and covered her mouth. “Oh, Monsieur.” Then shyly she looked up at him. “’Tis good to have you back.”

“Rose, meet my guest, Lady Joanna West.”

The woman curtsied, holding her skirts. “Mademoiselle.”

“Rose is my housekeeper in Lorient,” said Donet. “Her cooking is something to anticipate.”

Again, the woman blushed, clearly enthralled with her master.

Joanna returned the housekeeper a smile and, guided by Donet, passed through the open door. The servants followed.

Once inside, Donet unbelted his sword and doffed his tricorne, handing both to his valet.

“Would you and the lady be wanting some refreshment?” Rose asked.

Donet glanced at Joanna. “Some tea, peut-être?”

She nodded. On one side of the entry, she glimpsed a large parlor and on the other side a dining table. Directly ahead, a staircase led to the second story.

“I’ll see you are served in the parlor,” said the housekeeper, before ducking behind the stairway. Joanna assumed it must be a passage to the kitchen.

Donet offered her his arm. “Allow me to show you to your chamber.”

She lifted her skirts and placed her hand on his arm. They climbed the stairs.

“The house is not large, but it meets my needs when I am here, and there are rooms for guests.”

When they reached the top of the stairs, he directed her to the left. Midway down the corridor, they stopped at a door on the right. He turned the handle and gestured her inside.

Immediately before her was a row of windows looking out on the harbor in the distance. “What a lovely view!” she exclaimed going to them.

He spoke from behind her. “The view is what convinced me to purchase this house.”

She turned to see his eyes on her. Her heart fluttered in her chest like a skittish colt. Donet was simply too handsome, too virile to trust herself alone with him, particularly in a bedchamber. Tearing her gaze from his, she glanced about the room.