Ondine Read Online Free PDF Page B

her da’s claims, the Duke decided to make an exception.
    14 The Duke’s city residence is so big it has its own postcode.
    15 The philtrum is the cute little indent just below your nose. It is also the trickiest part to shave and requires a steady hand and very narrow razor.
    16 Every time this happened, she promised herself she’d use these great lines next time she and her da had a barney. But it never worked out like that.

Chapter Four

    M arguerite and the lad sprang apart, their eyes round like golf balls, mouths open in shock. It must have been serious, because Marguerite’s normally perfect hair looked tousled. For a long second, it seemed like nothing would happen, but Ondine knew it was only the kind of lull that heralded something ominous, like the stillness in time between a bolt of lightning and the resulting thunder clap.
    The young man stood up first, ran his hand through his short brown hair, straightened his rumpled jacket, then extended his trembling palm towards Josef to shake his hand. Josef offered nothing in return.
    The lad let his hand drop, along with the expression on his face. ‘Mr de Groot, this isn’t what it looks like. I have nothing but the most honourableintentions towards your daughter.’
    â€˜Good opening gambit,’ Shambles said. ‘It’ll buy him five seconds before yer da runs him through.’
    â€˜Who are you?’ Josef asked. It sounded like he was talking through gritted teeth.
    â€˜Da, please, calm down. That’s no way to treat your future son-in-law,’ Marguerite pleaded.
    â€˜My
what
?’
    In the darkness, it was hard to tell, but Da’s face was probably close to purple.
    â€˜Sir,’ the lad started again, holding his hand forward for the second time, which was a pretty gutsy gesture, given the circumstances. ‘My name is Thomas Berger and I would like your permission to marry your daughter Marguerite.’
    A sharp intake of breath was all Ondine could manage, such was her shock. Marguerite? Engaged? Already?
    â€˜Aw,
the nice
!’ Shambles said. ‘They’re in looove.’
    Finally, Josef extended his hand to Thomas but it wasn’t a shake. More like a death grip. An awkward silence ensued.
    Everyone looked to the ground. Margi scrunched her hands in her lap.
    â€˜I don’t appreciate being kept in the dark,’ Da said at last.
    â€˜Maybe if you didn’t fly off the handle all the time, we wouldn’t have to keep secrets,’ Margi said.
    Go Margi!
    â€˜What are you doing out here?’ The voice came from the back door, and they turned as one to see Ma standing on the threshold. ‘Back inside all of you, there’s work to be done. Oh, hello there, Thomas dear, how are you?’
    Another sharp intake of breath made Ondine’s lungs fit to burst.
    â€˜Good thanks, Mrs G,’ the young man replied. His familiar tone with Ma told everyone this relationship with Marguerite must have been going on for a while. This latest revelation left Ondine light-headed with equal portions of excitement and confusion.
    â€˜Lovely.’ Ma turned to the rest of the party. ‘Josef? In here please, I need you to tap the next keg. Margi, when you’re ready you can relieve Cybelle at the bar.Oh good, Ondine, you’re here too. You can get started on the dishes piling up in the sink.’
    â€˜This isn’t finished, young lady,’ Josef warned Marguerite as she headed for the relative safety of the public bar. Her father wouldn’t dare upset the patrons but that didn’t stop him from venting his anger in the relative quiet of the hallway. ‘This isn’t finished by a long shot.’
    â€˜Show’s over, but nawt for long I bet,’ Shambles said as he and Ondine headed for the kitchen, where teetering towers of greasy plates awaited. ‘I’m really warming to your da. I’ve met plenty like him. Such good fun. Thought