Free Games (Timeless Series) by Sandy Loyd Page B

him. Why would having an association with Papa make him unsuitable?” She finished her adjustments and patted the mannequin. “There, this dress is ready for Mrs. Meyers to try on.”
    “Really , Marguerite.” Holding on to her riding boots, Giselle sighed in exasperation as her sister unbuttoned the dress and took it off the mannequin. “Sometimes you can be so obtuse. Papa is the one who warned me off Simon back in Paris. Monsieur Harrington is not one to get seriously involved with anyone, especially a little nobody stuck in the middle of nowhere, so can we just drop the subject?”
    Giggling, Marguerite shook out the dress and countered, “Oh, Giselle, you are so amusing . I do not see how you can call yourself a little nobody stuck out here when your name is spoken with awe on most of the young men’s tongues from here to Louisville and Lexington.” She moved to hang it in the armoire. “ Non , I would venture to say there is more to this man than meets the eye. And I, for one, would love to meet him.”
    “I doubt that will ever happen.” Giselle silently watched Marguerite close the armoire doors, then added, “Simon Harrington is off chasing danger and excitement. I am sure I will never have to set eyes on the man again. Which is a good thing, because I know I should stay clear of him. He is not only dangerous, but good-looking and charming as well.”
    Wearing an insightful smile, Marguerite kept quiet while Giselle finished pulling on her riding boots . When the two were ready to go, the smile was still in place.
    Annoyed, Giselle pulled her sister along . “Wipe that knowing grin off your face. You think because you are so much older, you know everything. In this, you are way off.”
    “Whatever you say,” she said, laughing and allowing Giselle to lead her from the room .
    The two were still at it when they walked into their parent’s home some ten minutes later.
    “Marguerite? Is that you?” came a voice from the back of the large house.
    Sop hie Franklin had started for the foyer and stopped suddenly, meeting her youngest daughter’s gaze.
    Giselle thought her mother was a striking woman . The fine lines around her eyes, the only clues to her real age, deepened along with her smile.
    With her outstretched arms she moved to gather Giselle to her ample breast in a fierce hug .
    “It has been too long, ma fille .” She let go and said in a louder voice, “Marcus! Come! Our baby is home!”
    Marcus Franklin, a tall, slender, handsome man in his midfifties, obviously still rugged and fit, came barreling down the stairs. Enthusiastically, he picked Giselle up and twirled her around as if she weighed no more than a feather, just as he always used to do when she was a girl. All too soon, he set her down and placed a big kiss on her forehead.
    Laughter caught in Giselle’s throat at his actions and was still present in her voice. “It is so good to see you both. I have missed you. Until this moment, I never realized how much.”
    “Come, Lizette has made fresh croissants and hot chocolate,” Sophie said, wrapping an arm around both daughters and squeezing. “She left it warming on the stove. Even though the weather is mild, there is still a chill in the air. I think we could all benefit from something warm.”
    “Oh, Mama .” Giselle blinked the moisture away from her eyes. “It is good to be home.”
    “And we are happy you are home, child.” Together, they all walked into the kitchen. “Tell us all about your life on the farm,” Sophie said.
    All four sat around the table, catching up on each other’s lives, when Marguerite said, “Papa, do you remember a man by the name of Simon Harrington?”
    “Simon Harrington? ” Giselle gave her sister a warning look while her father stroked his jaw. “Yes, I remember him well. Paris. He’s a good man.” He glanced up, his brows rising. “What made you ask about him? I wouldn’t expect to see Simon around these parts. Did you meet him