Free Daughters of the Storm by Elizabeth Buchan

without incident and Ned had occasionally been a trifle short-tempered. Héloïse was smiling up at Ned who was melting visibly under the impact of her dark eyes.
    â€˜I hope you will stay with us for a while, Monsieur Luttrell,’ she said. ‘We would take it unkindly if you did not. Madame,
ma mère,
has arranged that we shall enjoy ourselves,’ she added to tempt him. ‘In fact, our engagements are such that we shall be quite worn out by the end of the season.’
    â€˜Then, you can rely on me,’ Ned said gallantly.
    Héloïse inclined her head. ‘I would take it personally, Monsieur Luttrell, if I could not,’ she said, enjoying the look of pure admiration that he sent her.
    Sophie stood up and laid a hand on Ned’s arm.
    â€˜I have so much to learn, cousin, and I wish to consult you on all manner of things, beginning with wardrobe.’
    â€˜Ah, but that is arranged,’ Héloïse said mysteriously. ‘Wait and see.’
    â€˜Mademoiselle de Guinot.’ Ned was now serious. ‘I have heard that there has been trouble in the city.’
    Héloïse nodded, not wishing to alarm her guests. ‘Yes. Some of the poorer elements marched on one of our prisons, the Bastille, and took it. It is a very old place and there were hardly any prisoners left, but the crowd took it into their head that it was worth “liberating”. The authorities have it well in hand.’
    â€˜Why?’ asked Sophie her curiosity aroused.
    â€˜There has been much talk of change lately – in France, you know, we like to debate politics. There are some people, who do not have the right to do so, who wish to participate in the government of the country. This time, they went too far.’
    â€˜And what is your opinion, Mademoiselle de Guinot?’ asked Ned, forcing her to look at him.
    â€˜It is simple,’ Héloïse replied. ‘The king rules by divine consent and what he sees fit to do we must follow. There can be no debate about that.
C’est tout.’
    She moved towards the door.
    â€˜I must see to my guests, but I am so glad that you have come,’ she said, and meant it. She left them together, Sophie still clasping Ned’s arm. Ned’s appreciative gaze followed her through the door.
    At last, de Choissy came to make his farewells.
    â€˜I look forward to visiting you frequently in Paris and at Versailles,’ he informed his betrothed. He reached out his long thin fingers to kiss her hand and she knew he was goading her.
    â€˜You cannot avoid me,’ he said, ‘so you must learn to bear with me.’
    She swallowed. ‘As God is my witness,’ she said slowly. ‘I never wished for this, but I will do what is required of me.’
    De Choissy stood quite still. ‘I believe I am growing quite fond of you already,’ he said, and watched her eyes widen in disbelief. He raised his eye-glass. ‘There are many things you do not understand,
ma belle,
but I shall enjoy teaching you. Who knows? Perhaps you will be the saving of me. You possess both beauty and innocence, and they are rare commodities in my life.’
    His eye-glass fell back on his breast and she stepped backwards, desperate to get away from his strange, almost satanic presence.
    â€˜I shall not detain you any longer, mademoiselle. I can see you wish me to take my leave.’
    Then he was gone, leaving the imprint of his lips burning on the blue-veined skin of her hand.

Chapter 5
William, August 1789
    William Jones cursed. Like everything he did, his swearing was fluent and efficient. The porter, who hastened to step forward at the sight of a well-to-do passenger, stopped in his tracks and listened with something like admiration. But since William was swearing in English the finer points, regretfully, were lost on him. Nevertheless, the porter conceded, here was a milord indeed worthy of his services, and he redoubled his efforts to