Free Brocade Series 02 - Giselle by Jackie Ivie Page B

heir.”
    Giselle’s eyes widened . Her breath stalled. She was amazed to still be seated, numbly listening to the woman’s prattling.
    “ I was so hopeful that he meant to join us this evening. I haven’t even seen him since the Christmas Mass, and he was so wrapped up, it could have been anyone. But come, Giselle, my dearest. Dinner is being served.”
    The dowager duchesse stood, surprisingly spry for her age and the amount of foundations she had to be wearing. To Giselle’s consternation, she realized that Aunt Mimi hadn’t said anything that mattered.
    She hadn’t said a thing about Navarre.
    “I’m to escort you to dinner, Giselle.”
    She looked sideways and saw black breeches and above those, a wine-colored jacket. Oh my. Her heart started hitting painfully against her corset. She should’ve known it would be Navarre.
    He bowed before her, and Giselle had to consciously stop her knees from knocking together as she looked at his arm. It amazed her that she had that affliction with as many garments as she was wearing. She had to clench her thighs to stop the motion.
    Despite everything, the reactions still happened . It was intolerable. No matter how many candles she lit or prayers she said. Navarre still affected her.
    “You look very beautiful, Giselle.”
    He whispered it as they preceded everyone into the medium-sized dining room.
    Oh heavens ! The instant joy had to be stopped. She must concentrate on her place. She must recall Scripture. Remember her duty. He called her beautiful! There wasn’t enough material in the bodice of her dress to hide a blush. Giselle quickly looked at the table, and not at her escort.
    There was a sculpture of a castle in the midst of the table, carved from ice. Giselle made herself see it and absorb its appearance. There was a peacock on the table as well, with steam rising through its arrangement of feathers. It was just like Louisa had described to her before at Antilli, and— … he said I look beautiful!
    I must keep my mind on other things !
    Navarre led her to the head of the table, and a manservant held the chair out for her. There was a servant behind each of the twelve chairs. Giselle had never been to a dinner like this. She thanked Louisa and Isabelle for their lectures, then. They’d made certain she always dressed for her lone supper and had perfect table manners. She hadn’t known what it was preparation for, but she was grateful to them, now.
    Navarre lifted her hand to his lips without touching it . He didn’t have to. His eyes sent messages down the length of her arm. Giselle only hoped she wasn’t replying with her own.
    He pulled out a chair to her left, and Giselle turned to the other side, wondering what fool had seated him so close to her. She had to stop it from happening again. She wasn’t to be near him. She wouldn’t allow it. He would just have to be seated at the opposite end that Etienne left vacant.
    Etienne…
    That was something which she could concentrate on. Aunt Mimi had mentioned that Etienne ordered a bath. Giselle already knew it, though. The servants were more than willing to tell everything they knew. Gerty was a font of information while Giselle had dressed. She had listened carefully while Isabelle looked sternly at her in the mirror the entire time.
    “You’ve been listening to Aunt Mimi, Giselle,” Navarre spoke. “I should have warned you first.”
    Giselle turned to him, trying to look more confident than she felt.
    “She probably gave away all our secrets by now.”
    He smiled conspiratorially, and Giselle tried to return it. She did. But t he effort died on her face. In the mellow yellow light from the chandeliers, the shadow of his lashes reached to his lips. She’d known his were full and pouty. She’d caught herself wondering what a kiss from them would feel like. She was ashamed of herself and yet, unable to do a thing about it.
    It was mad.
    She already knew he was devastating. She knew all of it, yet despite