Brenda Joyce - [Francesca Cahill 06] Read Online Free PDF Page A

dagger in her heart.
    Hart chuckled, murmuring, “Yes, if looks could kill, you would be dead now, my darling,” and he took Francesca’s purse from her, extracting the ring. Francesca forgot all about the crowd. Everyone in the room seemed to vanish into thin air, every voice disappeared, and she was alone with Calder Hart. Their eyes met. His dark gaze was beyond tender. So much so that it was a blow to her heart. Francesca could not look away. What did that oddly gentle look mean? That, coupled with his soft smile, was enough to win any woman’s heart, much less hers.
    “Tonight calls for champagne,” he said softly. “A celebration, the two of us, alone.”
    She inhaled, knowing what being alone with him would mean. He smiled and slid the eight-carat diamond onto her gloved finger. Francesca stared down at it, feeling blinded, but whether by the dazzling diamond or the magical moment, she did not know. Her heart was trying to tell her something, and she felt a tear leaking down her cheek.
    “I won’t hurt you,” he said softly in her ear, and he kissed her cheek.
    Francesca was somewhat blinded now as she looked up and met his gaze. “Is that a promise?”
    “It is far more. It is a vow,” he said. Then he turned her around and held up her hand.
    The ladies exclaimed loudly. There were gasps of awe and admiration, male cheers, more hurrahs. Someone exclaimed at Hart that he had finally gone and done it. Hart agreed, and the men laughed. Francesca felt even more faint as the feeling in her breast intensified. It was as if a huge balloon were inflating inside of her chest. And she knew she could not manage it. Her knees began to give way.
    He knew and put his arm around her, holding her up. “Do you need a glass of water?” he asked with concern.
    She decided she would not faint, as she had never done so before, and certainly not upon the announcement of her engagement. And as she murmured, “No, I am fine,” she saw her parents approaching.
    Julia was clapping her hands in excitement and delight.Francesca’s father, however, was clearly furious.
    “Are you certain you are fine?” Hart asked, a whisper in her ear, solicitous and concerned.
    Francesca was about to affirm that she was when she saw Rick Bragg.
    He was as pale as a ghost. He stared, disbelieving and incredulous.
    She started forward instantly, forgetting about Hart.
She had to explain
.
    Hart gripped her hand, yanking her back. “I’ll be damned if I let you chase after him now! When we have just announced our engagement!” he said low and darkly.
    He was right—he was also wrong. Francesca was miserable as she watched Bragg mutter something to his wife, turn on his heel, and stride with stiff, set shoulders from the reception room. He was clearly leaving the ball. And Francesca desperately needed to speak with him now. He must not accuse her of treachery; after all, his wife had returned to his life and, as Hart had said, even to his bed.
    Francesca closed her eyes, anguished. Then she opened them and saw Leigh Anne staring at them—at her. Their gazes met. She seemed as surprised as everyone else, but if she was pleased, she hid it well. Then Leigh Anne hurried after Bragg, who was waiting for her at the front door.
    “Mr. Cahill, sir,” Hart was saying.
    Francesca was pulled into her mother’s embrace. “My darling girl, this is a dream come true!” Julia cried. “I am so happy for you!”
    “Thank you, Mama,” Francesca managed, glancing at Hart and her father. They were having a terse exchange, and she gathered Hart was to present himself the next day to discuss the matter of an engagement. Then she caught her sister’s eye.
    Connie grinned at her widely, like a happy and well-fed Cheshire cat.
    Francesca gave in and smiled back. She was engaged to the man who had been the city’s most eligible bachelor, but the magic of the moment had vanished, leaving somethingsordid and worrisome in its place. Then she saw young Joel