Free Mardi Gras Masquerade by L A Morgan Page B

cocktails on the top of the Eiffel Tower .”
    “The Eiffel Tower , you say.   It must have been very romantic.”
    “It was.”
    “What did you have to drink that evening?”
    “Uh   . . . I don’t quite recall.”
    “What?   Do you expect me to believe you don’t remember every detail of such an important occasion in your life?”
    “It was champagne,” Maria quickly improvised.
    “Go on.”
    “Let’s see.   We made a toast . . .”
    “To what?”
    “To Paris .   All right?”
    “I have no problem with that.   You were sayin ’ . . . ?”
    “And then, your . . . I mean, Tienne, asked me to marry him.”
    “What were his exact words?”
    “Really, Steve.   Some things are too personal to discuss.   What was that special treat you mentioned?”
    “At this point, I hesitate to tell you.   Not with cocktails on top of the Eiffel Tower as my competition.”
    Maria crossed her arms and tapped her foot in annoyance.
    Steve gave her one of his winning smiles and said, “How does a dinner cruise on a paddleboat strike you?”
    “It couldn’t compare with Paris , of course, but it might be nice.”
    Steve could not fail to note the gleam of satisfaction in her eyes.
    She said, “When do we leave?”
    “As soon as you put on that lovely red dress you were wearin ’ when I met you.”
    “I’ll be right back,” Maria lightly replied as she veritably skipped back to her room.
    “I’ll be waitin’,” the man called after her.
    All thoughts about making that phone call to her friend were gone as Maria hastily dressed.   This was an event she had been waiting for.   After applying some lipstick, she ran downstairs to join Steve in the front hall.   He had changed into a black tuxedo.
    “You are fast,” he commented.
    “I didn’t have much to do to get ready.”
    “I thought you models always wore a lot of cosmetics.”
    “Let’s just get going,” Maria replied as she walked toward the door.
    “With that radiant face, you don’t need any makeup anyway,” Steve commented as he followed her.
    Maria sent him a smirk as they passed through the doorway.   The white limousine was waiting for them by the front door.   This time, Maria felt entirely different as she rode in it.   It was impossible for her to hide her enthusiasm as she chatted on with Steve during their ride into the city.
    They had to walk a short distance to get to the boat.   Just as she spotted it, its steam-powered horn gave out a long blast that sent thrills throughout her body.   Sensing her excitement, Steve patted the delicate hand he had drawn through the crook of his arm.
    The streetlights reflected on the water as they boarded the paddleboat.   A throng of happy party-goers joined them at the railing to wave to the crowds on the levee.   Maria felt completely exhilarated.
    With a final blast of its horn, the giant wheel on the back of the boat began to turn forward, throwing up a spray of water in its wake.   Very slowly, it started to move away from the dock and up the Mississippi River .
    Maria could not absorb enough of the experience.   The sights, the scents, the sounds, all filled her with a sense of elation she wanted to carry with her forever.   All of her troubles fell away from her.
    “Are you happy?” Steve asked unnecessarily.
    Maria did not even hear him say this.   Her mind was too absorbed in making a lasting memory of the moment.   The man observed her for a while, and then looked out over the water.
    By the time the paddleboat had established its running speed and course on the river, dinner was served.   The couple sat at a window table in the dining area.   Since Maria’s attention focused more on the outside views than the food, their conversation was limited.   Steve gave up trying to ask her questions, and a look of curiosity settled on his face.
    As soon as they were done eating, Maria wanted to walk out on the deck.   The sky was filled with stars as a Dixieland jazz band