Free Bewitching in Boots by Lila di Pasqua Page B

come to feel more like home than any place she’d ever lived.
    Because within its walls there was Tristan.
    Tristan made it home.
    And she already missed being there with him. Already missed their daily strolls—each one lasting a little longer than the day before—and the horseback rides she’d coaxed him to take. Only the finest horsemen in the land could be part of the King’s personal Guard. Tristan’s skill was no exception. To her utmost joy his leg bothered him a little less each day. He didn’t lean on his cane as much as before.
    Then there were the wonderful picnics they’d had where he’d regaled her with stories about his military career. She’d hung on his every word—each battle he’d described, the concern and dread he’d felt. That he’d shared them with her meant more to her than he could ever imagine.
    “Why do I have to be the one who falls into the river? Why can’t it be you?” Claire complained.
    “Because I’ll look like a drowned rat. Not an enticing way for Tristan to see me.”
    Elisabeth’s stomach had been in knots all day. And now as she stood with Claire, she was so nervous, her very entrails were quaking. This had to go well. She couldn’t fail. She couldn’t lose Tristan now.
    Claire clamped her mouth shut, and frowning, glanced back at the river streaming past. “You think it’s cold?”
    “I’m sure it’s not.”
    Claire shook her head. “This is definitely not going to be as much fun as the time you helped me hem nasty Cecile de Brun’s gown up an inch each night to make her think she was growing at an alarming rate after she’d taunted me relentlessly about being short.”
    Elisabeth patted her sister’s shoulder. “No time to reminisce about our girlhood pranks. You’re a strong swimmer, Claire. You’re going to be fine. I promise you, you won’t be in the water long. Now then, Agathe is up there on the top of the glen to your left. Do you see her by the large walnut tree?”
    “Yes,” Claire said, spotting Elisabeth’s trusted servant. Agathe stood well apart from the King’s party. In point of fact, she was the only person in sight. The others were far from the edge of the glen.
    “I will give Agathe the signal, then she will signal to you. When you see her nod, you jump in and start screaming. Tristan will be along shortly to save you.”
    “Fine,” Claire said tightly. “Make certain he gets here quickly. I’m only doing this because I know you would do it for me.”
    “You know I’d do anything for you.” Elisabeth’s words rose from her heart.
    “I hope this works, Elisabeth.”
    So did she.
    *****
    “The sex must be excellent.” Gabriel smiled as he stood beside Tristan looking out at the royal gathering before him.
    Tristan kept silent, ignoring his brother. He could clearly hear the mischief in his Gabriel’s tone. Without glancing Gabriel’s way, Tristan kept his gaze fixed on the crowd of men and women clustered in a giant group around the King, mostly praising His Majesty’s abilities in the successful hunt.
    Gabriel chuckled. “You heard me well, but I’ll repeat myself nonetheless. I said, the sex must be quite good. You told me you wanted nothing to do with these people ever again and here you are, at the King’s hunt—because of a woman.”
    Not just any woman. A very unique woman. Tristan had wanted never to see Versailles again. Now he wasn’t so sure. There was someone at Versailles that he wanted to see a lot more of.
    Elisabeth.
    “She’s the King’s darling. I felt it necessary to escort her.” Not to mention Tristan wanted to prolong his time with her. But he wasn’t going to tell his brother that. He’d never hear the end of Gabriel’s ribbing. Especially if he knew Tristan’s interest in Elisabeth went beyond the physical.
    Upon arriving with her entourage, she’d promptly brought him before the King. It pleased Tristan that His Majesty was glad to see him. Had seemed delightfully surprised,