AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Rage kept Teresa silent. It nearly choked her.
“If we joined forces,” he continued. “I’m sure we could…penetrate the upper reaches of—what do they call it here—thehaut ton? Odd how they use a French phrase when they were fighting them for so long.” He tried a smile.
“No.” She bit off the word.
He drew back. “You are angry?”
He had the instincts of a toady, Teresa thought. He knew when he had offended.
“But this would be a great help to you,” he added. “Take you out ofhere.”
His disdain for her small home was infuriating.
“The lovely Teresa should be surrounded by luxury and adulation. I would like to see that restored to you.”
Did he actually believe this would sway her? If she had needed evidence that he understood nothing, this would have provided it. “You care only for your own advantage,” she replied.
“Mostly that,” he conceded. “Like anyone else.” His smile was meant to be self-deprecating, endearing. Teresa had seen it succeed. Today, it did not.
“I cannot help you,” she said.
His expression hardened. “Will not, you mean.”
Teresa shook her head.
“If I shared certain stories of the past, it could make things difficult for you.”
This, she had expected. The threat had hung in the air from his first appearance at her door. “With whom?” she asked. “I have told you I take no part in society.”
“Even your small, crude neighbors might be…surprised.”
She wasn’t sure how they would feel. But she knew that showing this man the least weakness was fatal. “Tell anyone anything you like. I don’t care.” She rose to show that this visit was over.
He remained seated. “I spoke too hastily. I beg your pardon.”
“There is no need.” She shrugged. “We simply have nothing to talk about.”
“You would throw away the chance…”
“Freely and utterly. And now I will bid you farewell. Conde.”
Eliza, who had clearly been listening if not comprehending, came out of the kitchen. She held a broom as if it was a weapon.
Frowning, the man stood. “If you oppose me…” he said to Teresa.
“I will not think of you again once you have gone. I hope you will extend the same courtesy to me. And do not come back here.”
“Cortesía? You appear to have forgotten anything you ever knew of it.”
“Perhaps I have.” She walked over to the front door and opened it. Eliza swept her broom over the floorboards, a homely movement that somehow suggested a guardian repelling invaders as well.
The visitor looked from one stony face to the other. With a muttered oath he strode out. Teresa closed the door behind him and shot the bolt. She resisted putting her back to the panels.
“What didhewant?” asked Eliza.
“He is an acquaintance from Spain. He called to say hello.”
The maid’s expression was skeptical. “Didn’t sound like hello. Seemed like you had an argument.”
