Free Sweet Bravado by Alicia Meadowes Page A

stare
     at the glow of moonlight on silvery snow. It was so peaceful and calm as a few flakes floated gently earthward. Would she
     ever achieve such harmony in her life? Especially marrying a Harcourt? But whatever Valentin brought her, she knew she wanted
     him with all her heart.

Chapter VI
    Having left Tessa shortly before dawn, it seemed to Valentin that he had just fallen asleep when his valet was waking him.
     Disgruntled, he crawled from bed and prepared himself for the day. Disquieting thoughts pursued him all the way to his mother’s
     home. Damn, he couldn’t help it if he had thought. Nicole guilty of revealing his whereabouts to his mother. She was the logical
     choice. Hadn’t she questioned him yesterday morning about what he was going to do? But that was not what was really bothering
     him, and he finally admitted it to himself just as he reached the house. It was Tessa! The way his mother had taken him over
     the coals for Tessa’s scandalous behavior still made him shudder. He should have foreseen the problem and set Tessa straight,
     yet what had he doneafter being in her company for less than ten minutes! He had succumbed to her blandishments as usual.
    Hell, wasn’t a man entitled to some relief, especially after the night he had put in? Nevertheless, it was Nicole’s knowledge
     of Tessa that he could not accept. Most men had mistresses, but the wise man didn’t flaunt them before his family. He would
     not repeat his father’s error.
    A very defensive Viscount presented himself to the ladies a few moments later. He surveyed the trio before him with appreciation.
     His mother was splendid in her morning dress of plum silk, and Cecily was charming in a blue frock, but it was Nicole, appearing
     almost angelic in a soft pink, muslin, that caused the catch in his throat. Every time I see her, he thought, she is more
     beautiful. Tessa had asked him what Nicole had. Wouldn’t she have laughed if he had replied, “Innocence.” But God, it was
     there—that purity and womanliness at the same time. He felt his brow grow damp and cursed himself for a fool.
    “You see, madame, you said ten o’clock, and I am here,” he announced.
    “Then we can be off. We do not want to keep your Uncle Maurice waiting. He has planned this weekend at his chateau for some
     time. Here is Perry now. We are all ready.”
    Escorting them to the waiting coach, Valentin decided to repair the damage done to his relationship with Nicole, and holding
     her back, he took her arm solicitously, remarking, “I hope the ride will not prove tedious for you. The chateau is not too
     far from Versailles and well worth visiting.” He turned on one of his most engaging smiles and immediately Nicole found herself
     forgiving him.
    “I am looking forward to the weekend very much.”
    “I hope one of the reasons is the time we will be able to share there together.”
    Flustered, she answered faintly, “Of course, my lord.”
    “Nicole,” he chided softly, “I thought we had agreed to first names.”
    “Yes, yes, certainly… Val,” she blushed prettily.
    “Come on you two,” Perry called. “There’ll be time for that later.”
    Valentin assisted Nicole into the coach, then mounted his horse and turned to Perry beside him. “Clod! Will you never learn
     to keep that mouth of yours closed?”
    “What did I do now, Val?”
    “Never mind,” his brother sighed in exasperation. “Just learn when to speak, will you?” and the Viscount spurred his horse
     on its way.
    Upon their arrival the Marquis escorted them into his resplendent state dining room. It was reminiscent of the now untenanted
     palace of Versailles. Ornate golden paper decorated the walls and tawny satin draperies covered the long narrow window embrasures
     which flanked one side of the room. The opposite wall was dominated by a magnificent sculptured fireplace containing a blazing
     fire. On the ceiling paintings of nymphs and cherubs floating among clouds