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

smelled something offensive, but very near. Unlike her mother, who was plainly pleased to see him.
    Hugh was so busy covertly studying Micaela's charming profile that he was barely aware of the conversation going on between Lisette and Jasper. It wasn't until Lisette said with amusement, "So, Monsieur Lancaster, you and Monsieur De Marco will join us for dinner tomorrow night, oui ?" that he was recalled to himself.
    Recovering himself quickly, he murmured, "Dinner? Tomorrow night? It shall be my pleasure."
    "Bon!" Lisette said with a twinkle in her dark eyes. "We shall expect you at seven o'clock tomorrow evening."
    Hugh and Jasper bowed again. "Indeed you shall," Hugh said. "But for now, may we escort you to your destination?"
    Micaela, whose pulse had been acting erratically ever since she had first glanced up and met Hugh's glinting gray-eyed glance, said stiffly, "That will not be necessary, monsieur —we are almost there."
    "Ah, but I would be gravely remiss if I did not see you safely to where you are going. Just consider, mademoiselle —you might be accosted by someone—ah—objectionable." Hugh drawled, enjoying the vexed flush which stained Micaela's cheek.
    Micaela's bosom swelled with indignation. Dieu! The Américain was arrogant! A Creole would have graciously accepted the dismissal and would never have continued to insinuate himself where he was plainly not wanted. Smiling sweetly, she murmured, "But monsieur, you forget, this is still a city of Creoles, and Maman and I are not worried about being confronted by someone who would be so rude and overbearing as to force himself upon us." Her eyes sparkling with the light of battle, she added, "New Orleans is not like your rough Américain cities—our Creole gentlemen know how to take care of their own."
    Hugh grinned. "Well, that certainly put me in my place, did it not?"
    Micaela's eyes dropped, and she replied demurely, "One hopes so, monsieur, one sincerely hopes so."
    "Micaela!" Lisette burst out, a thread of laughter in her voice. "Do not be rude!"
    Micaela's gaze met Hugh's dancing gray eyes. "Oh," she asked, all innocence, "was I rude?"
    Hugh shook his head, the expression in his eyes making Micaela breathless. "Rude?" he murmured as he caught her hand in his and dropped a chaste kiss on the soft skin. "Oh, no, never rude... provoking, perhaps?"
    Her skin prickling as if she had grabbed a nettle, Micaela snatched her hand away and decided that the Américain was utterly detestable. Her emotions in turmoil, she was relieved to hear Lisette say, "We thank you for your offer of an escort, messieurs, but our destination is just a few more doors down the street. Good day to you both."
    Conscious of the tall Américain' s amused look, Micaela was grateful when she and Lisette swept past the two gentlemen and continued on their way. It didn't help her frame of mind that it took until they reached Madame Hubert's shop for her heart to return to its normal beat. Unable to help herself, just as she was to enter the shop, she risked a glance over her shoulder in Hugh's direction. To her chagrin (and delight?) he was still staring at her. A flush stained her cheeks when he smiled knowingly and tipped his hat at her. Muttering under her breath, her nose went up in the air, and she sailed into the shop. Merci! But he was arrogant!
    Jasper had watched the exchange with interest, and as he and Hugh resumed their journey, he said slyly, "Now if you were to marry a Creole... perhaps, even Micaela Dupree, it would be a good business decision, oui?"
    Hugh looked at him as if he'd gone mad. "Micaela Dupree? Nonsense! I think you have stood in the sun too long, my friend, and it has fried your brains."
    "Hmm, you think so? I do not, mon ami." Jasper went on imperturbably, "Think of it. She is lovely, unmarried... and she will control ten percent of the business when she marries, and will gain another five percent when the sad day comes and her charming mother has passed on.