Free Games (Timeless Series) by Sandy Loyd

fact, you are beaming with happiness.”
    “I could never fool you . I think I have found someone to love. But I am not sure how he feels.”
    Giselle squealed and tried to hug her sister, but was hampered because Marguerite held a ball gown in each hand.
    “ Let me hang Libby’s gown up and then I will tell you all about Martin while I help you try on your gown,” Marguerite said, laughter spilling from her voice. “I am dying to see how you look in it.”
    “So, the mystery man’s name is Martin?” She paused. “I do not know any Martin. Is he new to Shelbyville?”
    Marguerite moved to hang up both gowns, then glanced over her shoulder, and nodded. “ Oui . He has been here about four months now. He bought the old Henderson farm not too far from town. Turn around. Let me help you out of your clothes.”
    Sitting, Giselle took off her boots . Then, with Marguerite’s help, she stepped out of her riding habit. “Well, do not keep me in suspense. Tell me about him.”
    Marguerite remained silent until Giselle was down to her chemise . She took the gown off the hanger. Giselle lifted her arms. The dress slithered down her body as her sister said, “He is a widower. His wife’s death is the reason he moved here. He wanted a fresh start. Someplace that did not remind him of her. They had only been married a couple of years.” She stopped speaking to adjust the gown. “Giselle, it seems his life parallels mine. It is amazing how much we have in common. And he is so handsome. He will never replace André. After all, he was my first love. I thought no one would be able to make my heart pound faster as André did. Can you believe it? Best of all, Martin also makes me laugh. I never thought another man would ever have the ability to do that.”
    Glancing at her sister’s face reflected in the cheval glass, Giselle smiled at her obvious joy. Then she looked at her own reflection and all thought of Marguerite’s love evaporated from her mind. The low neckline of the dress highlighted her ample breasts and swanlike neck. The luxurious fabric outlined her body, accentuating every curve, definitely adding to her feminine appeal. She barely recognized the person staring back.
    “ Mon Dieu ! Look at me. I am a goddess. How did you know what to do to make me look like this?”
    “It is not the dress, silly. You are a goddess. It just takes a little color and form to bring it out, n’est-ce pas ?”
    “Oh, Marguerite, I love the dress . I cannot imagine where I will ever be able to wear it, though.” She broke off, turning this way and that to better see her reflection. She shrugged. “As if I would let that stop me. I will simply wear it to dinner with Libby and Colin. They always dress, so I will not be out of place, but I hate to waste this on a dinner with just the two of them.” She gazed thoughtfully at the glass. Sighing, she said, “I envy you, Marguerite. You are so lucky to have someone who gives you a reason to wear a dress such as this. Wearing your creations always makes me feel powerful. Such a pity, I have no one who is worth the effort of enchanting. I would really relish captivating the right man.”
    “Yo u merely have not met him yet.” Marguerite grinned, her expression all-knowing. “I know how you love to flirt and you are not happy unless you are attracting some new man, having him fall on his knees at your feet. But mark my words. At some point, the right one will come along and you will have no choice in the matter. Love will take you by storm, and you will be the one to fall hard. Here, turn around and let me see what needs to be adjusted.”
    Complying, Giselle pivoted . Her skeptical eyes met her sister’s laughing eyes in the looking glass, and she let out a disbelieving humph. “I am beginning to think there is no one out there for me. I doubt I will ever fall in love.”
    “Do not be so sure,” Marguerite said, shaking her head.
    “How can I not be when no one I have met to date