Free Moontide Embrace (Historical Romance) by Constance O'Banyon Page A

and ascended the steps. "You may inform M'sieu Montesquieu that his daughter is home, and in the future you will never talk down to Biff in my presence, is that understood?"
    Noal's face fell, and he stepped quickly to the door. "Oui, Ma'dame, it will be as you say. Come with me, and I will show you to your rooms so you can freshen up. When the master asks for you, I will come for you at once.
    Judah followed the stiff-backed servant into the house. In the massive entrance hall, the white marble floor was immaculate, leading Judah to believe that not a single speck of dust marred its perfection. Golden Louis XIV armchairs faced each other, while urns and benches carved of Carrara marble stood on either side of the six steps that led to the landing. Off the landing were two sets of steps that went off in different directions, and Judah noted that several cherubs adorned the painted canvas ceiling. He had never imagined such wealth, but was cynically unimpressed. He did, however, now realize what his mother had sacrificed for loving of his father.
    As he climbed the wide polished staircase, he paused to look at the floor-to-ceiling stained-glass window depicting the coronation of some distant French King. He drew in a deep breath, knowing he would soon meet the man behind this vast kingdom. Judah was well aware that when he stood before this tyrant who had made his mother's homecoming such a humbling experience, noth ing would keep him from voicing his displeasure.
     
    Judah buttoned his jade green jacket and adjusted the snowy-white cravat to his satisfaction. Gray pantaloons disappeared inside black knee boots. Impatiently, he paced the floor of the spacious bedroom, waiting for a summons from the great man himself. The long delay had not helped his temper. He did not care that he was being insulted, but he resented the treatment for his mother's sake. He was on the verge of demanding to be taken to his grandfather, when a knock came on his door.
    Jerking the door open, he discovered his mother smil ing up at him. "My father will see us now, Judah." She ran a nervous hand over the skirt of her pale green empire-waist gown. "How do I look? Do you think my hair is right?"
    Judah only half glanced at his mother's appearance. His anger was still too raw and too near the surface to do more than nod. "You are lovely as always," he said, taking her arm and steering her toward the staircase.
    After they descended the stairs, Judah allowed his mother to lead the way. Their feet sank into rare thick rugs in the hallway as they passed by rooms where candles burned in crystal chandeliers, their flames reflected in glided French mirrors.
    His mother knew where she was going as they walked down brightly lit hallways, past a host of servants who were cleaning and polishing floors and furniture. When at last Gabrielle stopped before a heavy mahogany door which was decorated with shining brass work, she wrapped softly, then pushed the door open.
    The room was almost dazzling in its magnificence. It was the largest room Judah had ever seen. The ceilings, painted in brilliant blues and whites, depicted the life of Jeanne d'Arc. An Aubusson carpet of white and gold graced the white marble floor. The floor-to-ceiling win dows were draped with gold velvet and white lace, and a ten-foot-high white marble fireplace dominated the delicate French gilded chairs and sofas. Gilded mirrors lined one wall, making the room appear twice the size it actually was.
    Judah felt his mother's trembling hand on his arm, and he placed his hand over it to give her courage. His eyes moved across the room to the man who was seated near the fireplace, haloed in the beam of light filtering through the open window. Judah met his grandfather's stare with out flinching. His jaw clamped shut, stubbornly, as the man motioned for them to approach.
    Judah was aware that the old man followed their progress, and when he drew near, he saw that his grandfa ther wore a blue satin