Free A Dangerous Masquerade by Linda Sole Page B

relish the idea of carte blanche with a rich protector.’
                  ‘Madeline’s husband liked to see her wear gowns that revealed her charms,’ Constance replied with a blush.  ‘When I became the comtesse in company, I tried to look as he wanted her to appear.  I thought an innocent girl would have little chance of fending off the adventurers and fortune hunters.  It was a game I played.  You know my reasons.’
                  ‘Yes, I know your reasons, though I am not sure an innocent girl would have taken such a risk.  Supposing one of the rakes you fleeced at the tables had come calling?’
                  ‘I seldom won large sums.  One night I was fortunate, but usually I was careful not to arouse anger or suspicion.  Until I lost and…’
                  ‘Helped yourself to my purse?’ Moraven supplied helpfully.  ‘How fortunate for you that it was not one of the other more ruthless gentlemen you chose to steal from.  Some of them would not have been as lenient as I, Constance.’
                  ‘I know.  It was foolish – and wrong.  I shall not make that mistake again.’
                  ‘I am glad to hear it.  You need not gamble again for the nuns’ sake,’ Moraven said.  ‘I have set up a fund for them, which, if added to over the years should support their work for a long time.’
                  ‘Thank you.  Perhaps Helene was right when she said that God would provide for them.’  Constance took an apple and bit it, the juice running down her cheek.  Moraven reached towards her and wiped it off, putting his finger into his mouth and sucking. ‘Oh…try one of the apples; they are delicious.’
                  ‘So are you,’ he replied, his eyes burning into her.  ‘You are afraid of me and what you feel, Constance, but I know you feel something.  I shall not rush you, but I sincerely believe that you belong with me.  I would protect you and care for you, teach you so much about life – and if we parted you would not need to worry about money.’
                  ‘You are very persistent, sir.’
                  ‘I know.  It is a fault, I own – but when I want something I usually find a way to get what I want.’
                  Her gaze fell away.  His words made her heart pound and her mouth was dry.  She drank some of the water from the well at the back of the house, which was served by a spring and fresh, untainted with impurities, as, unfortunately was much of the water in the city.
                  ‘I shall not tease you for the moment,’ he said as she was silent.  ‘We must not fall out with one another until this business with Renard is finished.  He will make his move against you or perhaps both of us in time, though I think he may try to take back the children the nuns rescued from his clutches first.’
                  ‘It would kill Lucille if he ever took her back,’ Constance said.  ‘He is such an evil man, my lord.  You have no idea of what he caused to be done to that poor child.’
                  ‘Oh, I think I might,’ Moraven said with a grim smile.  ‘That is why I intend to kill him.’
     
     
    Constance washed the dishes in the big stone sink.  Heloise would have done them had she left them, but she did not wish to cause the old woman more work than necessary.  The look in Moraven’s eyes when he’d spoken of killing their mutual enemy had sent a chill through her entire body.  She did not doubt that he would do so given a chance; he was not a man for idle words.  His offer to make her his mistress had not been made lightly.
                  It was a way out of her predicament.  She could when this dangerous masquerade was over leave Paris and take Heloise with her.  He had spoken of a small house in London, where she