Free Love Be Mine (The Louisiana Ladies Series, Book 3) by Shirlee Busbee

the price were right, I would be willing to do just about anything."
    Micaela's throat felt tight and she was unbearably aware of how close he was standing to her, painfully aware of a shimmer of excitement racing through her. "And what p-p-price would that be, monsieur?"
    Hugh smiled enigmatically, and, bending over, he lifted her hand once more to his lips. His eyes on her soft mouth, he pressed a warm, lingering kiss into her sensitive palm, and murmured. "Oh, I think you could guess, sweetheart. I think you could guess exactly what I would demand."
    It took several moments after Hugh had departed for Micaela's heart to stop pounding so fiercely. A thrill, a curious mixture of elation and shock, had coursed through her at his words, and, despite telling herself sternly that he couldn't have meant what she thought he had meant, she couldn't forget the look in his eyes or the seductive quality of his voice. Ah bah! she thought disgustedly. She was acting no better than that silly goose Cecile! The American had been toying with her, teasing her like one would a naive child.
    Satisfied that she had explained his behavior, Micaela continued on her errands—buying some thread for Maman, some tooth powder for herself; going to see if the modiste whom they patronized had received any new pattern books from France. It was nearly an hour later when she returned home, two newly arrived pattern books tucked securely under her arm. She and her mother could spend a cozy evening perusing the books, and they could place an order for any garment which caught their fancy before they left for Riverbend at the end of the week.
    There was no sign of Jean or François at dinner that night, and the evening progressed just as Micaela had foreseen. The pattern books were full of sketches, of tempting gowns with high waists which Josephine, Napoleon's wife and soon-to-be-Empress, had brought into style. They were very flattering, and normally Micaela would have been excited at the prospect of a new gown. But as she slowly turned the pages later that evening, she found her thoughts straying back to the disturbing meeting with Hugh Lancaster.
    A dreamy look in her eyes, Micaela stared blindly at a charming gown in apple green silk, Brussels lace at the low neckline and at the edges of the puffed sleeves. Had he meant what he had implied? Would he truly give up his shares in Galland, Lancaster and Dupree for her!
    A queer feeling trembled deep within her as she considered the possibility that she had not mistaken his meaning at all. Had he meant marriage? Or had he been slyly insulting her, hinting at a less honorable situation? And if he had been, what difference did it make to her? she reminded herself sharply. Either would be equally unacceptable! Why, she'd be more likely to become his mistress than marry him—and becoming any man's kept woman was simply unthinkable. She was angry at herself for not being able to put his words out of her mind. Impatiently she flipped the page of the pattern book.
    "Oh, did you not like that gown?" Lisette asked. She was sitting on the sofa beside Micaela, leafing through the other pattern book with the occasional glance over at her unusually quiet daughter. "I thought," she added, "it was particularly attractive and would look lovely on you, chérie."
    Micaela started. Jerking her thoughts away from Hugh, she turned the page back. "It is a pretty gown," she admitted, really seeing it for the first time. Then she shrugged. "But I have an armoire full of gowns, I do not need another."
    Lisette looked at her for a long moment. "I suppose that you are right," she said, a twinkle in her eyes, "but I thought that you might like something new to wear when we dine with Hugh Lancaster...."
    "For him," Micaela muttered, "I shall wear the oldest, shabbiest garment I own!"
    A little smile quivered at the corners of Lisette's mouth. "Ah, I see," she murmured.
    "What do you mean by that?" Micaela demanded, a fierce look on her