Free Sweet Bravado by Alicia Meadowes Page B

of muted pinks and golds created an airy impression
     of heavenly realms.
    Awestruck, Nicole sat back in a velvet chair and pondered the fate of the king and queen who had dined some twenty-three years
     ago at this very table so elegantly set with its embossed china and deep-cut crystal. Poor Marie and Louis! Poor Marquis!
     So much of his world had been swept away and only some of the outer trappings remained. Strange that Valentin’s next comment
     should echo her own thoughts.
    “We have been transported to the past,
Monsieur le Marquis.
It is quite an honor to be wined and dined as if we were royalty.”
    “Good food and drink are a few of the pleasures that I can enjoy these days. At least when my gout is not actingup. Besides, I wish to treat this lovely young lady to the joys of the
ancien régime
before it passes away with me.”
    “Oh, Uncle Maurice,” Nicole protested as he took her hand and kissed it.
    “We did not dine in the white salon,
mignonne,
because it is much more intimate, so I wanted to save that pleasure for you and this young rascal to enjoy on your honeymoon.”
    The color mounted in Nicole’s cheeks. “That is very kind of you,” she managed to stammer.
    “What about your museum?” Valentin interjected trying to smooth over Nicole’s confusion.
    “That’s a must, Nicole,” cried Perry. “You could spend a month in there and still not discover all Uncle Maurice’s monstrosities.”
    “You could spend a year in there and never discover its meaning, you young buffoon,” stormed the Marquis. “Come, let us retire
     to the drawing room. Later we will look over my treasure trove. Right now I wish for a game of cards. What do you say, my
     dear?” he addressed Lady Eleanore. “Cecily and Perry against you and me.” Perry was about to protest when he caught the Marquis’s
     eye and changed his mind. The Marquis turned to Valentin and Nicole. “You two may explore some of the chateau.” With that
     peremptory remark he escorted the others to the drawing room.
    “In his own inimitable way, Uncle Maurice has given us the opportunity to be alone,” Valentin chuckled.
    “Yes, so I noticed,” Nicole returned his lightheartedness with a smile.
    They wandered down the main hallway which was lined with armor and pieces of sculpture. “The wedding plans are just about
     completed?” Valentin queried, striving to make conversation.
    “Oh yes. Your mama has performed miracles.”
    “Never let it be said that my mother does not rise to the occasion. She is one of London’s most notable hostesses, as you
     will undoubtedly find out.”
    “Yes, she is an amazing woman.” Nicole neatly sidestepped the issue.
    “I hope you don’t mind my having arranged for us to spend our honeymoon here at Uncle Maurice’s.”
    “Oh no. I shall look forward to it.”
    “The Marquis doesn’t use the chateau much these days. He spends most of his time in Paris.”
    “Yes, I know.”
    “There are some fabulous rooms if I remember correctly.” He opened a door and ushered her into a huge chamber. She gasped
     and turned wide violet eyes on him.
    “This is what is known as the museum room. I think the Marquis wanted us to wait, but to be the first to capture that expression
     on your face is worth it.” Taking her hand, the Viscount led her forward. “Maurice -was able to save most of these antiques
     during the Revolution by having them hidden. Some others were left behind. Fortunately, the marshal who occupied this chateau
     saw the value of these treasures as well as the rest of the chateau and did not allow them to be destroyed.”
    “I have never seen a collection like this before.” Nicole began to wander among the valuables gathered from many ages. There
     were tapestries and shields from the Middle Ages lining the walls, and marble statues and vases were crowded carelessly into
     corners. Egyptian bowls and Grecian urns were scattered upon long trestle tables, and priceless treasures