Love Be Mine (The Louisiana Ladies Series, Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

eyes on each other a half a dozen times before they are wed? Do not tell me you expect to marry for love?"
    "My parents had just such an arranged marriage of which you speak," Jasper admitted bitterly. "And they fought like a cat and a dog tied together in a sack. I was almost relieved when they died of the fever—at least I did not have to listen to their battles anymore."
    "I am sorry," Hugh said quietly. "I had forgotten—I did not mean to make light of the situation."
    Jasper flashed his ready smile. "It happened a long time ago, mon ami, but I would not like to see you married to this cold-blooded American girl."
    "Now how do you know she is cold-blooded?" Hugh asked, nettled.
    "She is American, is she not?" Jasper asked. At Hugh's wary nod, he said, "Then what more do you need to know? I am sure that she is very prim and proper, perhaps even lovely, but I would wager you my new stallion that ice water runs in her veins."
    Thinking of Alice's cool, slim blond beauty and her politely aloof manner, Hugh decided not to take up Jasper's wager. Instead with an edge to his voice, he demanded, "Then what do you suggest I do? Marry one of your Creole beauties?"
    Jasper beamed at him. "But of course, mon ami! You would have a charming and loyal companion, a loving mother for your children, and a soft, warm, yielding armful for your bed. What more could a man ask for in a wife?"
    Hugh snorted. "Since I have not committed myself to Miss Summerfield, I shall take your suggestion under advisement—but I make no promises to you. In the meantime, I think I should get my things settled in your house. And after that, I think we should pay a visit to Galland, Lancaster and Dupree."
    The two men made a commanding pair as they left the coffeehouse, and Hugh was again aware that there were many eyes upon him and that most were not friendly. Stepping outside onto the banquettes, he asked with a sigh, "Do you think your countrymen will ever get used to being American? Or to Americans?"
    "Perhaps. In time. Many are still very resentful at the trick Napoleon played upon us."
    The two men chatted amiably as they walked along the wooden banquettes, enjoying the unexpectedly fine weather. The morning was almost warm, and gentle golden sunlight danced on the uneven rooftops of the buildings, and dappled the wrought-iron grillwork adorning the galleries for which New Orleans was famous. Jasper's town house was on Dumaine Street, and they were about to leave Chartres and turn up Dumaine when Hugh spied a pair of feminine figures, discreetly followed by a black manservant, not a half block in front of him.
    Despite the shawls covering their heads and partially obscuring their features, he recognized at once the spirited tilt of the younger woman's head. As they drew nearer, he was aware of a sudden leap in his pulse when Micaela Dupree's dark, startled eyes met his. Sweeping his hat from his head, Hugh bowed to the women.
    "Bonjour, Madame Dupree, Mademoiselle Dupree," he said politely, his words and actions echoed by Jasper.
    Micaela thought her heart would stop beating when she glanced up and saw that it was Hugh Lancaster standing in front of her. She had hoped that when they next met she would not find him so troublingly attractive, but looking into that dark face, snared by those too-knowing gray eyes, she realized that her hopes had come to naught. Wearing a dark blue coat which expertly fit his splendid physique and a pair of pale gray breeches which shamelessly clung to his long, muscled legs, he was, Micaela realized, appallingly attractive. Angry and ashamed of herself, she kept her gaze half-averted, as if by not looking at him she could convince herself that he was not quite the most fascinating man she had ever met.
    There was a flurry of greetings and polite exchanges. Hugh's lips quirked in a sardonic smile at the air of reserve which overcame Micaela once she had recovered her surprise. Her nose was not exactly tilted as if she