A Place of Storms Read Online Free PDF Page B

earthenware pot in the middle of the table and disclosed the simmering
cassoulet
, chunks of pork, slices of country sausage and black-eyed beans swimming in a rich gravy, redolent of garlic and herbs. She made a token protest at the huge plateful that was put in front of her, and then ate every mouthful, assisting it on its way with wedges of fresh, warm bread. The wine they drank was one of the local vintages, Blaise told her, and she found it surprisingly mellow and full-bodied. She refused the cheese that followed, but accepted a cup of strong, black coffee.
    'So Clothilde's cooking is to your liking?' Blaise Levallier leaned back in his chair, watching her.
    'Very much,' she agreed. 'If I stayed here very long, I'd be as fat as…' Her voice tailed away, as she realised with horror what she had just said.
    'It will be a metamorphosis that I shall observe with interest,' he said smoothly, as if unaware of her slip.
    Well, it was said, and it could not be unsaid, and now was the time, if ever, for her challenge to him. She set her coffee cup back in its saucer very carefully.
    'Monsieur Levallier, I think you must realise as well as I do that this—this marriage cannot take place.'
    'You are incorrect,
mademoiselle
. I realise nothing of the sort.'
    She heard the grimness in his voice, but persevered. 'I— I agreed because I was—emotionally disturbed at the time. You can't really intend to hold me to a promise made under such circumstances.'
    'Oh, but I can,' he said almost idly, 'and I will. Make no mistake about that, ma mie .'
    'But it would be too cruel,' she said, her voice quivering, and shrank back from the sudden fury that glared at her from his eyes.
    'And do you imagine life has been so kind to me, that I am prepared to take that into consideration?' he demanded harshly, his fingers straying as if in spite of himself towards his damaged face. 'Spoiled from your cradle, what can you know of cruelty?'
    'Do I have to learn my first lesson from you?' she flung at him, forgetful in that moment that it was not for herself that she spoke.
    He shrugged. 'The nature of the lesson will be your own choice,
mademoiselle
. But I warn you now, the marriage will go ahead as planned. It has already been delayed too long.'
    'Am I ever to be told why it's so essential for you to be married?'
    He poured himself another cup of coffee. 'You have never displayed any particular curiosity before,' he reminded her drily. 'You seemed more preoccupied with ..your own—affairs. But there is no reason for you not to know. I am shortly to assume the guardianship of my nephew, and the terms of my brother's will stipulate that I have to be a married man in order to do so. That is all.'
    'That's quite enough!' The breath left Andrea's body in a gasp. So Clare was not merely to have been pitchforked into matrimony but into motherhood by proxy as well, she thought furiously. The nerve of this creature! 'Why on earth did your brother include this—stipulation, if he knew you were a bachelor?'
    'At the time the will was made, I was expecting to be married—quite soon,' he said, and there was a note in his voice that made her stomach constrict nervously. Her eyes went involuntarily to his scarred cheek, and he nodded sardonically. 'You are very perceptive,
mademoiselle
. And more skilful at concealing your revulsion than my fiancée.' He laughed shortly, without mirth. 'It was a memorable few hours of my life. In the space of a day, I lost everyone in the world I most cared for. My nephew alone remains, and him I do not intend to lose.'
    'But surely, if you're his only relative…'
    'But I am not,' he cut in. 'He has an aunt on his mother's side. Unless I fulfil the conditions, of the will, she intends to contest the guardianship in the courts. All my money has been sunk into this co-operative. I cannot afford to fight her.'
    'But how old is this child? Wouldn't he perhaps be better with his aunt?' Andrea began, and quailed under the look he