Celine Read Online Free PDF Page A

. She smiled warmly.
    Her magical eyes seemed to shift color again, returning to a green flecked with gold. They weren’t quite hazel, those eyes, but they sure spoke a language of their own.
    â€œPlease sit, Celine,” his father urged.
    â€œI mustn’t. I’ve been at the river, and I need to change before dinner.” She sat, however.
    Trevor glanced at her slippers peeking from beneath the hem of her skirts. The one he’d rescued from the fireplace still showed signs of soot while both were wet around the edges. As was the hem of her dress. He chuckled lightly. Celine drew her feet under her chair.
    He swore the color of her eyes shifted once again. He moved to behind his father’s desk, picked a book from the shelf, and turned back to face Celine, positioning himself slightly behind and to the left of his father. Nonchalantly, he sifted through the pages, not reading a word.
    Celine turned her full attention on Justin. Trevor knew she meant to obliterate him from her peripheral vision, but he’d seen to it that would not happen. Not from where he stood. Foolish woman, you are up against the master of game playing.
    His father leaned forward, clasping his hands on the desk. “I have more exciting news, Celine. My brother, Miles, and his son, Cameron, are here, as well. I thought they’d lag a week behind on their journey from England, but they arrived in New Orleans aboard the same clipper as Trevor. They had business to attend to in the city before they caught the next steamboat, which is due shortly. We have cause for celebration this evening. Miles, a widower for ten years, has taken a new wife.”
    â€œHow exciting.” Celine’s eyes sparkled, and she looked into Trevor’s father’s face with the same unaffected quality Trevor had observed when she spoke with Felicité. His jaw twitched.
    â€œMy entire family will be here for your birthday next month, Celine.” Justin glanced back at Trevor. “I’ve arranged a formal ball on behalf of Mrs. Kirkland. It’s time to ease her back into society now that her mourning period is over. I’ll be expecting you to travel back up from New Orleans, of course. In the meantime, there is a soirée a couple evenings from now at the Verrette plantation.”
    Trevor said nothing, only watched Celine’s fascinating eyes.
    She leaned forward. “Does Cameron have a wife I might meet, as well?”
    â€œNot as yet,” Trevor’s father responded, glancing Trevor’s way again with a grin. “Apparently, the two cousins haven’t been so inclined.”
    Trevor shrugged one shoulder. Hell, had he known of Celine’s existence, he would have made sure Cameron remained in New Orleans. The rutting stag had a penchant for young widows.
    Not that Trevor’s tastes ran much different.
    His father turned back to Celine. “I shall arrange for Cameron to be your escort at these functions.”
    Cameron? Why the hell Cameron? Something odd pinched deep in Trevor’s chest.
    â€œOh, please, there’s no need. I am already spoken for,” Celine said.
    Both men’s heads shot up at her remark. Trevor quickly hooded his eyes and went back to pretending to read the book in his hand. Casually, he flipped the pages.
    â€œLindsey is to squire me about,” Celine laughed. “He’s quite excited. Thinks he’s a grown-up gentleman, he does.” Her skin glowed and her eyes danced.
    Trevor shoved the book back on the shelf, no longer feigning interest. He leaned back, one shoulder against the bookcase, his arms crossed over his chest. A small, disturbing knot tightened in his stomach as he observed the warm, intimate scene before him.
    Celine stood and made her excuses to leave. “Oh, and thank you for the perfume, Justin. I couldn’t have chosen a more perfect scent. You do know me well, don’t you?”
    You know me well? He gives her perfume? A