Gallant Match Read Online Free PDF Page A

ballroom, one of the most beautiful in the city. They moved toward it, being mindful of their crinoline-supported skirts that required a wide avenue of progress.The lingering smells of cigar smoke and perspiration were a reminder that the spacious lobby area was usually the domain of business concerns, the so-called exchange area where auctions were held on alternate Saturdays for everything from stocks and bonds, land and property, to ships’ cargoes and slaves. Sonia wrinkled her nose a little as she lifted her skirt to put her foot in its silk slipper on the first stair tread.
    â€œThere, you see?” Tante Lily gave her arm a sharp tug as she spoke in more urgent tones. “Don’t look now, but I’m sure it’s your Kaintuck. ”
    The urge to glance around was almost overpowering. Sonia continued up the stairs in stringent resolve, however, waiting until its graceful sweep allowed her to look out over the open lobby in the direction her aunt indicated.
    Monsieur Kerr Wallace was not difficult to locate. He stood head and shoulders above most of those around him, a mountain of a man not unlike those that must be his home. His evening dress was adequate; his hair had the gleam of polished leather in the gaslight. And his eyes, as he followed her progress, were like rain-wet slate, dark as the night outside.
    Sonia’s heart stuttered in her chest. The heat rising into the rotunda was suddenly suffocating, leaving her breathless. A confusion of anger, despair and fascination boiled up from somewhere inside her.
    She had not realized she had halted until her aunt stumbled against her. It was a good thing her hand was clamped on the railing or they might both have fallen. That would have been embarrassing beyond anything.
    â€œTake care, ma petite, ” her aunt exclaimed as she steadied herself. “But I have it right, yes? It is he? I wonder what he does here.”
    â€œIt’s a public hotel. I suppose he may visit whomever he pleases.”
    â€œIt occurs to me the street of the sword masters is mere steps away. No doubt they make good use of the hotel dining room.” Her aunt leaned closer. “It’s a marvelous figure of a man, I must say. Yes, and regard the gentleman at his side. Magnifique, in a savage fashion.”
    Her aunt was inclined to think most men magnificent in one way or another, but the gentleman speaking to Monsieur Wallace was certainly unusual. His skin had copper shadings quite unlike the olive tones of the gentlemen of Sonia’s acquaintance, certainly unlike the outdoor bronze of the Kentuckian’s features that could be likened to parquet flooring. This man’s brows were thick and expressive, his nose like a blade, his chin un-compromisingly square, and his hair so black it had a bluish sheen. Of a size with Wallace, the two of them stood out in the milling crowd like two stalwart oaks caught in a flood.
    Frowning a little, Sonia said, “He appears to be…”
    â€œBut, yes. They say the blood of the Great Suns, once rulers of the Natchez tribe, runs in his veins though he was baptized by the priests as a child. Christien Lenoir, they christened him. He is called Faucon Nuit, Nighthawk, at times, as that was the meaning of his name in his own language.”
    â€œYou seem to know a great deal about him.”
    Her aunt’s smile was a shade conscious. “I made inquiries yesterday morning, having a sudden interest in anything and anyone connected with Monsieur Wallace. Fonts of information, the ladies of my embroidery group.”
    â€œI’m sure.” Sonia would have liked to ask precisely what had been said of Monsieur Wallace, but that could wait. For now, she refused to stand gawking and whispering like some country mademoiselle. Nor would she allow the Kentucky gentleman the satisfaction of thinking his presence mattered to her. Collecting the ends of her shawl and her fan in one hand, lifting her skirts of