Free Lady in the Stray by Maggie MacKeever Page A

“Now, then, Edouard.”
    He raised his hands to frame her face. “Now, then, you are alone at last with your preux chevalier. You offer me opportunity to furnish a proof of my devotion.” His icy fingers fell to her bare shoulders. “It has been a long time since I was so honored, Minette.”
    Now she was in for it! Minette cursed her lack of foresight. She would have rather a snake crawled over her skin than endure Edouard’s touch. In truth, Edouard was as cold and calculating and conscienceless as any reptile—and as dangerous. Therefore, impassively, Minette suffered his caress.
    He laughed and released her. “Clever Minette! You should know better than to seek to play off your cajoleries on me for I know you too well. We are wondrous great together, are we not? But we shall discuss that another time, ma cocotte. Curb your disappointment: I mean to see a great deal of you. We have been too distant. You will learn to rely on me, now that you are alone in the world.”
    “Not alone, precisely.” The air was chill, and Minette chafed her bare arms. “You forget the turtle and the frog and the lovebirds—not to mention the rats. Your concern overwhelms me, Edouard, but I go on quite nicely. I wish you’d make your point.”
    “Take care, lest I think you don’t enjoy my conversation, petite.” Edouard took off his elegant coat and draped it over her shoulders. “Witness my solicitude! I shudder to think what may become of you if you don’t take better care of yourself. You are very precious to me, Minette.”
    Minette turned her head to gaze up at the rooftop, half expecting to see a raddled figure peering out from amid the tall pinnacles and gargoyles. “Precious, am I?”
    Edouard drew that coat tightly around her throat. “ Certainement! You are my means of access to Mountjoy House. There is less time than anticipated, if Stirling is  nosing about. He will be acting for his godfather, of course. I thought that imbecile Mountjoy was involved in this business when first I heard of it. This is a heaven-sent opportunity! I must find it first.”
    These remarks, directed less to her than to himself, prompted Minette to temporarily cast caution to the winds. “Does the whole world know of Marmaduke’s treasure?” she cried.
    “ ‘Treasure’?” Edouard’s voice was soft and deadly, his grip harsh. “What ‘treasure’ is this, petite?”
    “I don’t know! Truly!” Minette sought to pry away the hands so tight upon her neck. “It was what he used to say—that he had hidden away his treasure in Mountjoy House, and it was worth a fortune in the right hands. That’s all I know, I swear it, Edouard! Let me go!”
    He did not let her go entirely, but slightly loosened his grip. “If you’re lying to me, Minette—”
    “I’ve already taken my oath that I am not. Consider, Edouard: if you strangle me, you will have no easy access to Mountjoy House.” With a muttered curse, he withdrew his bruising fingers. Minette drew in deep lungfuls of air and rubbed her sore neck.
    “That is why you remained at Mountjoy House,” he said, as calm as if it were commonplace for him to half strangle his lady friends. “I wondered at it, because I also knew Mountjoy had left you nothing— and precious little to anyone else. You sought to find Mountjoy’s ‘treasure.’ “ His laughter, this time, was genuine. “Poor Minette!”
    Of all the things she disliked in her kinsman, his sense of humor was high on the list. Minette waited. Edouard would not deny himself the pleasure of explaining his amusement.
    Nor did he. “You envisioned gold or jewels, if I know my Minette—treasure, in truth. You would discover these riches and be wealthy beyond all imagining, eh, petite? Little pea-goose! Even did you find Mountjoy’s so-called treasure, you’d be none the richer for it—or any the wiser. Indeed, I shall count myself fortunate if you haven’t already thrown it on the fire.”
    Minette wished she were